Class of 2027 - Cass Technical HS (MI)

Extracurricular Activities:  Chess (Top 10), Lacrosse, DECA, NHS, Wolverine Pathways, Kids who Code, Coalition for Black & Jewish People.  French Club board member.

Greatest Inspiration:  Parents

Three (3) Year Goal:  Attending college and pursuing Mechanical or Environmental Engineering.  Conducting research to start my own gardening business to decrease food disparity in low-income neighborhoods.  

Mentor Statement: “Sam is an exceptional student with real intellectual curiosity. He strives to understand ideas at a deep level, not just to earn the grade. He asks insightful questions that push class discussions forward, makes connections across topics, and is always up to a challenge.”

Class of 2027 - Cass Technical HS (MI)

Extracurricular Activities:  Captain of Robotics Club, Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ), NHS, JROTC Executive Commander,  

Greatest Inspiration: Father

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering.  

Mentor Statement: “In the classroom, Genesis consistently demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement. She is an active contributor to class discussions, regularly asks thoughtful questions, and shows genuine curiosity for the subject matter. Her willingness to engage not only benefits her own learning but also elevates the learning environment for her peers.”

Class of 2027 - Forest Hills Central HS (MI)

Extracurricular Activities: FHC alpine ski team, Fresh Coast Ultimate Frisbee state champion, Marching band section leader for low brass and FHC Policy debate club. 

Greatest Inspiration: My faith in Jesus

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and perhaps pursuing Mechanical, Electrical or Nuclear Engineering. 

Mentor Statement: “In AP Environmental Science at the end of the year the students conducted an independent research project, and Brennan chose to research how nuclear reactors can be used to provide a sustainable power grid in cities located in the United States. Brennan’s research was incredibly well thought out, detailed, and presented clearly in our project exposition.”

Class of 2027 - Lightridge HS (VA)

Extracurricular Activities: Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program for NASA Langley Center and VA Space Grant Consortium.  President of Nuclear Club.  Director of competitions for Mu Alpha Theta and Consultant lead for grant-based non-profit.

Greatest Inspiration:  Middle School Spectrum teacher. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Physics and Engineering 

Mentor Statement: “Rahul distinguished himself through his deep and sustained interest in nuclear physics. He consistently probes the mathematical foundations and theoretical implications of the concepts we discuss. He asks thoughtful, rigorous questions and actively seeks out advanced materials to deepen his understanding.”

Class of 2027 - Martin Luther King Jr. Senior HS (MI)

Extracurricular Activities: First Robotics, NAF Future Ready Scholars, Build-on community service program, NHS, Varsity Wrestling and E-Sports. 

Greatest Inspiration: Time and what I am able to accomplish during the time. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Nuclear Engineering. 

Mentor Statement: “Braylin is an academically outstanding student who consistently challenges himself and strives for mastery in every subject. He is currently among the top students in his class, and he pairs his strong academic performance with a genuine desire to understand the world around him. His participation in the NAF Future Ready Scholars program at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering shows both initiative and readiness for advanced study.”

Class of 2027 - Eden Prairie Online Secondary (MN)

Extracurricular Activities: Turkish American Society of Minnesota, Rocket Club, Speak out for STEM. 

Greatest Inspiration: Author Alastair Reynolds. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Nuclear Physics, Optical Engineering, Physics or Neural Engineering.  

Mentor Statement: “I am used to writing recommendation letters for my students who apply to graduate schools or postdoctoral positions after receiving relevant degrees at University of New Mexico. During my conversations with Burak I was very much impressed with this young mind’s intellectual curiosity and capacity. In my observation, he demonstrated a strong science background and an analytical approach to problem-solving.  His interest in nuclear engineering is thoughtful and well-informed, and he shows the intellectual independence that is important in research-oriented environments.”

Riverstone International School (ID)

Extracurricular Activities: Intern at Idaho National Lab with a focus on geopolitical small-reactor research. First Robotics, Vice President of First Tech Challenge and Student Council Treasurer. Founded Riverstone’s Chess Club and participates in Leadership Boise Academy. Volunteer with Idaho Trails Association on conservation and repair.

Greatest Inspiration: Grandmother.

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college pursuing Nuclear Engineering.

Mentor Statement: “Lukas has made very specific steps that show he has strong interest and abilities as related to nuclear physics and engineering. I know that he had a great experience during his internship at the Idaho National Laboratory last year. I have been so impressed with how well he has researched nuclear engineering and how he has gotten himself involved in activities that have given him a clear understanding of what the field would entail in terms of education and as a career. I have also watched as Lukas has taken over as the head of the Riverstone robotics team this year. I have seen how active he has been and how organized he is a leader of that team.”

Class of 2027 - Prosper HS (TX)

Extracurricular Activities:  Intern at Sci-Tech Discovery Center and the Perot Museum in Dallas.  Math UIL, Volunteer at North Texas Performing Arts Center.  Prosper Mayor’s Youth council and the North Texas Food Bank Youth Council.  

Greatest Inspiration: Grandfather. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Materials Science and Engineering. 

Mentor Statement: “As Shreshta AP Physics 1 teacher at Prosper High School, I have had the opportunity to observe Shreshta’s academic abilities, work ethic, and intellectual curiosity on a daily basis. She is an exceptionally diligent student who consistently approaches challenging material with focus, persistence, and maturity. AP Physics 1 is a demanding course that requires strong analytical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and the ability to apply concepts to unfamiliar problems, and she excels in all of these areas.”

Class of 2027 - Texas Academy of Math and Science (TX)

Extracurricular Activities: Researcher at Dr. Jose Perez’s graphene lab at the University of North Texas.  Education Research Intern at Youth in Policy.  Scholastic Gold Key recipient in Journalism.  

Greatest Inspiration: Mother. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Nuclear Engineering.

Mentor Statement: “Jian joined our lab as an early researcher at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS). Jian quickly distinguished herself by investigating the properties of reduced graphene oxide and related materials, with a focus on how electron irradiation in the 1-10 keV range affects them. Demonstrating initiative and scientific curiosity, she independently examined how electrons affect the properties of graphene oxide powder. Notably, Jian found that electron irradiation in this energy range reduces graphene oxide to graphene, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This is a significant and novel finding that I believe warrants publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and I commend her for this achievement. Jian is scheduled to present her results in a contributed talk at the March 2026 Meeting of the American Physical Society (APS) in Denver.”

Class of 2027 - Coral Reef Senior HS (FL)

Extracurricular Activities:  Viola in Orchestra, Volleyball, Miami Water Keepers Junior Ambassador Program and Founder of Wellness Club. 

Greatest Inspiration: Mother. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Nuclear Engineering.  

Mentor Statement: “Aya consistently asks thoughtful, clarifying questions that move classroom discussion forward and demonstrate a desire to understand underlying principles rather than simply memorize facts. A notable example of Aya’s community and science-minded engagement is her participation in the Miami Water-Keepers internship. Through this program she has received ongoing training about water habitats and pollution advocacy and is preparing a final project in collaboration with a biologist from Florida International University. This internship has given her direct experience in scientific communication and public advocacy, and it has allowed her to interact with researchers and practitioners.”

Class of 2027 - North County HS (MD)

Extracurricular Activities:  STEM program, volunteer at University of Maryland College Park and Andrew G. Truxal Library at Anne Arundel Community College.    

Greatest Inspiration: Jesus Christ. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Chemical, Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering.  

Mentor Statement: “Jonathan is a bright mind whose positive attitude elevates his peers.  Jonathan excels at collaborating and engaging with his peers. He creates a welcoming environment for his classmates to share their ideas and iterate on challenging college-level problems. For example, he helped his peers work through the calculations for the rollercoaster design project that students were assigned when learning about conservation of energy principles.  Jonathan is an impressive young person who is prepared for the rigor of college-level learning.”

Class of 2027 - Dexter HS (MI)

Extracurricular Activities:  Lead for mechanical subteam for Robotics, Varsity diver.  

Greatest Inspiration: Grandfather and British gymnast Nile Wilson and Diving coach.

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursing Aerospace or Nuclear Engineering. 

Mentor Statement: “Felix is a highly motivated and academically focused student who thrives in science and mathematics. His ability to quickly grasp complex concepts and apply them in practical, real-world contexts sets him apart from his peers. In addition to his technical abilities, Felix is one of the most responsible and well-rounded students I know. Felix is an active member of Dexter High School’s robotics team, which competed at the FIRST Robotics World Championship the previous three years.”

Class of 2027 - Arcadia HS (CA)

Extracurricular Activities: Arcadia Science Olympiad competing across materials science, nuclear fusion.  Physics Team and Science Bowl. President of Astrophysics Club.  

Greatest Inspiration: Father. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college  and pursuing Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics.  

Mentor Statement: “I have witnessed Christopher’s enthusiasm, determination, and intelligence firsthand. He is consistently polite, respectful, and inquisitive, maintaining a high level of organization in all his work. As a highly motivated student, Christopher participates proactively in every lesson, group activity, and laboratory experiment. Furthermore, his conceptual understanding of AP Physics is significantly more advanced than that of the average student, allowing him to tackle complex problems with ease.”

Class of 2027 - International Academy East (MI)

Extracurricular Activities: Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST), National Art Honors Society (NAHS), Baking Club and Girls Who Code. 

Greatest Inspiration: Older Brother. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Nuclear Engineering or Environmental Economics.  

Mentor Statement: “I can confirm that she is in excellent academic standing at our school, a community leader, and capable of imparting positive change. I could tell right away that she was bright, respectful, and eager to learn all that she could about Biology. Since then, she has continued to exceed expectations despite the challenges of our rigorous curriculum.”

Class of 2027 - Frontier International Academy (MI)

Extracurricular Activities: Teaching Assistant at Math Corps, President at Green Buddies, Wayne County Civil Youth Council, WCCAN Intern and Robotics. 

Greatest Inspiration: Parents. 

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Engineering.  

Mentor Statement: “Progga's leadership abilities are evident across multiple platforms and have been instrumental in creating positive change within her school community. As President of Green Buddies, Progga has spearheaded environmental initiatives that directly align with the Harper Academy's mission of fighting global greenhouse emissions. Her understanding that nuclear energy represents a critical component of our clean energy future demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking perspective that will serve her well in nuclear engineering.”

Class of 2027 - Flower Mound HS (TX)

Extracurricular Activities: Lead for FRC team and Robotics Club, National Math Honor Societies, Academic World Quest Club, Destination Imagination and Varsity Mixed Choir

Greatest Inspiration: Parents

Three (3) Year Goal: Attending college and pursuing Nuclear Engineering. 

Mentor Statement: “Eklavya is a standout among all my students over the years.  Eklavya has demonstrated exceptional potential to become a future leader in Computer Science. He consistently performs at the highest level among all my programming students, showing outstanding problem-solving skills, rapid mastery of new concepts, and genuine passion for computational thinking. His ability to apply knowledge creatively, collaborate effectively with peers and help his fellow students, and to persist through complex challenges sets him apart academically and intellectually.”