The American Experience Foundation (AEF) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 AEF Scholarship Awards.
The AEF scholarships support students in Washington, DC’s Career and Technical Education Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media, as well as Academy alumni currently pursuing higher education.
AEF Scholarships
James Walton Jr., Maya Angelou Public Charter High School, 2025
Jennifer Pineda-Arias, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2025
JohnTay Taylor*, River Terrace Education Campus, 2026
Sydney Mabry, Jackson-Reed High School, 2025
AEF Alumni Scholarships
Belinda Alcoser Gonzalez*, Montgomery College, 2028
Mattison McDonald*, Washington & Jefferson College, 2027
To honor the memory of hospitality industry colleagues and students in Washington, DC, AEF awards the:
David Iselin Memorial Scholarship for Community Service
Adame Temesgen*, Arizona State University, 2026, University of Rochester, 2024
Ray Bennett Memorial Scholarship for Leadership
Shamiyah McGee, Coolidge High School, 2025
Akira Wilson Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurship
Leslie Galo-Valle, Jackson-Reed High School, 2025
Joe Shymanski Memorial Scholarship for Photography & Media Excellence
Darren Heard Jr.*, Frank W. Ballou High School, 2025
AEF also recognizes the following scholars for their achievements.
AEF Alumni Honorariums
Adorre Fells-Watson*, North Carolina A&T State University, 2028
Cenaria Fells-Watson*, Towson University, 2025
Makayla Cruz*, Liberty University, 2026, North Carolina A&T State University, 2024
Mista Barnes, Washington & Jefferson College, 2028
AEF Honorariums
Aaron Perkins*, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Alana Hill, Ballou High School, 2026
Angeline Cherif, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Arrington Ward Jr., Jackson-Reed High School, 2025
Azul Tiburcio, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Briseyda Siguenza Romero, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Brooklyn Trice Jr., River Terrace Education Campus, 2025
Bryan Montiel, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Christian Osborne, Ballou High School, 2025
Haryiah Hunt, Ballou High School, 2025
Hasaan Coles, Ballou High School, 2025
Jade Stanback, Coolidge High School, 2025
Leslie Perez-Chavez, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Makayla Boller, River Terrace Education Campus, 2029
Malijah Jackson, Ballou High School, 2025
Maricela Gutierrez, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Michael Johnson, Coolidge High School, 2025
Miriam Bezabih Tebebe*, River Terrace Education Campus, 2025
Rafael Ventura Juarez, Columbia Heights Education Campus, 2025
Shanda Eley, River Terrace Education Campus, 2027
Wayne Jones Jr., River Terrace Education Campus, 2026
Joe Shymanski Memorial Scholarship Honorarium
Edina Young, Jackson-Reed High School, 2025
Zachary Songu-Mbriwa*, Ballou High School, 2025
*Has been awarded an AEF Scholarship in previous years
AEF invests in Washington, DC high school students through educational opportunities to cultivate the next generation of hospitality industry professionals. The AEF Scholarship Fund:
- Awards $2,500 scholarships and $500 honorariums to deserving students and alumni who have demonstrated success, leadership and service at school, at work and in their communities.
- Has provided over 130 scholarships since 2015, totaling over $215,000 in awards.
- Continues our support of scholars throughout their college career: 24 AEF scholars have won multiple awards
You can invest in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.
