NEXTDC is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Awards. 

This year, NEXTDC awards $35,000 to 21 deserving winners. These scholarships support students in Washington, DC’s Career and Technical Education Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Mass Media and Sports Marketing, as well as Academy alumni currently pursuing higher education.

NEXTDC Scholarships 
☆ Christian Acosta Padilla, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2027
☆ Enrique Castillo, Coolidge High School, 2026
☆ JohnTay Taylor*, River Terrace Educational Campus, 2026
☆ Kennedy Williams, River Terrace Educational Campus, 2026
☆ Madelyn Torrez, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2026
☆ Shaymaa Juma, Cardozo Education Campus, 2027

NEXTDC Alumni Scholarship
☆ Ty Monroe*, Coolidge High School, 2024

David Iselin Memorial Scholarship for Community Service
☆ Promise Parraway, Ballou High School, 2026

Akira Wilson Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurship
☆ Matias Figueroa, Jackson-Reed High School, 2026

Joe Shymanski Memorial Scholarship for Photography & Media Excellence
☆ Alana Hill*, Ballou High School, 2026

Gladys McClain Memorial Scholarship for Academic Excellence
☆ Terra Prue, Coolidge High School, 2026

NEXTDC Honorariums  
☆ Brian Blanco, Coolidge High School, 2026
☆ Heydi Medina Ferman, Coolidge High School, 2026
☆ Maximus Carter, Ballou High School, 2026
☆ Steven Diaz, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2026

NEXTDC Alumni Honorariums  
☆ Arrington Ward*, Jackson-Reed High School, 2025
☆ Bryan Montiel*, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2025
☆ Darren Heard Jr*, Ballou High School, 2025
☆ Jade Stanback*, Coolidge High School, 2025
☆ Malijah Jackson*, Ballou High School, 2025
☆ Mattison McDonald*, Coolidge High School, 2023

*Previously awarded a NEXTDC Scholarship

To learn more about the NEXTDC Scholarships, please visit thenextdc.org/educate.

Help NEXTDC invest in the next generation of Washington, DC leaders.