6 Students at KIPP Public Schools Named Webb Scholars, to Receive $60,000
Contact: Debra Wexler, media@kipp.org
April 22, 2024, New York, NY— KIPP Public Schools and the Webb Family Foundation today announced the 2024 recipients of the Webb Scholarship. The six selected students will each receive a $60,000 scholarship to defray the costs of college, along with one-on-one mentorship and funded attendance at a summer leadership-development retreat. They will also participate in a community project designed to deliver lasting, measurable impact on issues important to the Scholars. This video captures the moment students were notified they were chosen as Webb Scholars.
“These inspiring young people dream big, advocate for their communities, and face challenges with integrity and resilience,” said Maynard and Irene Webb, founders of the Webb Family Foundation. “We feel privileged to be able to support them on their college journeys, and we are inspired by their commitment to build a better world.”
The six students, all residents of the Bay Area, are the second cohort of Webb Scholars. They are all seniors at KIPP Northern California’s high schools or graduated from KIPP middle schools in the Bay Area. They are:
- Iteoluwa “Tutu” Aladesanmi, a senior at KIPP King Collegiate High School, plans to study data science and analytics, with an interest in using data to reduce school dropout rates. She runs a nonprofit that provides donations and tutoring to fellow immigrants.
- Gursharan Bola, a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, plans to study bioengineering and sociology, with aspirations to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. He believes that science and society are intertwined, and he wants to increase diversity in science and research.
- Alfredo Hernandez Jr., a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, plans to study government to further understand and address the challenges of marginalized communities. He initiated a student-led safety campaign that resulted in a collaboration with San Jose’s mayor.
- Emily Huang, a senior at KIPP King Collegiate High School, is exploring study in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. She led outreach, marketing, and logistics for a donation drive that provided more than 1,000 backpacks with school supplies to Bay Area students.
- Fernanda Morales Soto, a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, plans to study political science and build a career in progressive politics. President of Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, she uses art to build awareness and advocate for the needs of sexually harassed farm workers.
- Johnny Peng, a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, plans to tackle the problem of carbon emissions and innovate more accessible and efficient methods of propulsion. He tutors students from immigrant and low-income families and led his school’s regionally ranked robotics team.
As part of the Webb Scholars program, each recipient will:
- Receive an annual stipend of $15,000 to be used towards books and course materials, a computer, professional clothing, travel, or other expenses not covered by their financial aid packages.
- Pursue a community-impact project in partnership with local nonprofit or small business leaders.
- Attend a leadership development retreat with current and past Webb Scholars
- Enjoy mentorship and career development through one-on-one support and ongoing virtual learning opportunities.
“This year’s Webb Scholars will make our world safer, healthier, and more just,” said Tevera Stith, vice president of alumni impact at the KIPP Foundation. “We’re grateful for the Webb Family Foundation’s generous recognition of their achievements, service, and promise on their paths to college and future careers.”
About the Webb Family Foundation
The Webb Family Foundation supports education, health, and sustainability as a path toward helping people persevere and the planet thrive. We leverage the full assets of the Foundation to amplify our impact. Founded in 2004, the Foundation has primarily supported education-focused organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a focus on encouraging all young people, regardless of circumstance, to achieve more than they thought possible. In this spirit, the Foundation recently expanded its mission, program, and geographic areas, with a vision that all humans can reach their greatest potential and wellbeing in harmony with the planet.
About KIPP
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 275 public charter schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public-school system, and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle-school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll over 120,000 students in pre-K through high school, and it operates schools in 21 states and Washington, D.C.