Six KIPP Public School Students Named Webb Scholars
Each student will receive a $60,000 scholarship, along with leadership development and mentorship opportunities to support career goals and a community impact project.
Contact: Debra Wexler, dwexler@kipp.org, 929-729-0375
New York, NY— KIPP Foundation and the Webb Family Foundation today announced the 2025 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. The third cohort of Webb Scholars includes five graduates of KIPP Northern California high schools along with the first-ever student from another KIPP region, KIPP Jacksonville in Florida. All six Webb Scholars will be first-generation college students.
“The Webb Scholars represent the best of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity,” said Maynard and Irene Webb, founders of the Webb Family Foundation. “Their stories reflect the power of resilience and leadership rooted in service. We are honored to walk alongside them as they create the future they want to see—for their communities and for the world.”
The 2025 Webb Scholars are:
- Jehu King, a senior at KIPP Bold City High School, is a dedicated advocate for economic equality and youth empowerment. He served as student body president, founded Econ Upward, and leads initiatives with the NAACP Youth Council, the YMCA, and Future Business Leaders of America. Jehu is also the National Events Director of the High School Democrats of America (HSDA) Black Caucus. He was selected to speak on an expert panel for a Congressional Briefing on student mental health issues to be held at the U.S. Capitol on May 1. Jehu will attend Howard University where he plans to major in political science and ultimately explore a career in politics.
- Leslie Cruz Urquilla, a senior who commutes two hours daily to attend KIPP San Francisco College Prep, plans to study political science and law with the goal of fostering bipartisanship and equity in public policy. A 2024 Bank of America Student Leader, Leslie also advocates for Spanish-speaking students through translation work in financial literacy programs. She aspires to become an elected official who bridges divides and uplifts marginalized communities.
- Britney Duong, a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, is passionate about using art as a vehicle for self-expression and community voice. Founder and president of her school’s Art & Design Club, she raised funds to enable classmates to explore the arts and led a volunteer card-making project for pediatric patients. Britney was also co-president of Teens Reach, which coordinated community service opportunities through the Educational Park San Jose Library. She will attend the University of California, Berkeley next fall.
- Anthony Le, a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, plans to study electrical engineering at Brown Universitywith the goal of developing sustainable technologies that address environmental challenges like water access and pollution. He is an intern at The Energy Coalition and was selected as a SMASH scholar, which provides intensive STEM learning opportunities to students underrepresented in computer science and related fields. Anthony also founded a math mentoring initiative and serves as head delegate for Model United Nations.
- Abeeja Rehan Wilson, a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate, plans to study political science and law at San José State University with the aim of challenging systems of exclusion and promoting global equity. After moving to the United States from Oman, she founded her school’s first Model United Nations club, co-led Culture Fest, and served on the school magazine’s editorial board. Abeeja also co-founded Involved, an international project fostering student-led community service.
- Yunxi Zhang, a senior at KIPP King Collegiate High School, will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. She plans to study biomedical research and healthcare policy to explore treatments for autoimmune diseases and improve public access to care. While still in high school, Zhang investigated acute myeloid leukemia at Stanford’s Institutes of Medicine. She also leads the Women in STEM club and founded Youth Build Immigrant Power, an organization that advocates for low-income immigrant families through education and empowerment workshops.
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 aren’t just preparing for college—they’re preparing to lead,” said KIPP Foundation CEO Shavar Jeffries. “Whether it’s through advocacy, the arts, technology, or education, they’re already making an impact. With support they’ll receive as Webb Scholars, they’ll go even further in making our nation and our world a better place. We are so grateful for the Webb Foundation’s generous support in making that possible.”
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 Public Schools
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 278 public charter schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and life. KIPP Public Schools are tuition-free, and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle-school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll nearly 125,000 students in pre-K through high school, and it operates schools in 21 states and Washington, D.C.
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