Widener University, in partnership with NBC10 and Telemundo62, today announced the winners of the 14th-annual Widener University High School Leadership Awards.
There were 134 regional students this year, including 15 from Delaware County and 14 from Chester County, who received a $20,000 Widener University scholarship based on their outstanding civic contributions and leadership within their schools and communities.
The awards recognize high school juniors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and have honored in total more than 1,500 students.
The students chosen this year from Delaware County are:
- Patrick Grow, Archbishop John Carroll High School
- James Smith, Cardinal O’Hara High School
- Sophia Dong, Harriton High School
- Maya Lewis, Haverford High School
- Addison Birney, Interboro High School
- Daniel Goldstein, Hebrew Academy
- Ashley Avicolli, Marple Newtown High School
- Tewabch Worku, Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School
- Sarod Minor, Ridley High School
- Charlotte Peterkin, Springfield High School
- Guixin Zhang, Strath Haven High School
- Luke DiLorenzo, Sun Valley High School
- Shelby Parker, The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
- Kasanna Womack, The Christian Academy
- Vy Boa Lam, Upper Darby High School
The students chosen this year from Chester County are:
- Gianna Eagles, Avon Grove Charter School
- Evan Szilier, B. Reed Henderson High School
- Joshua Zahner, Bishop Shanahan High School
- Emmanuel Parsons, Church Farm School
- Ofure Abhulimen, Conestoga High School
- Adelaide McHale, Coventry Christian Schools
- Jazmin Johnson, Delaware Valley Friends School
- Carly Kulp, Downingtown STEM Academy
- Aridai Mendoza Rojas, Great Valley High School
- Denise Gould, Oxford Area High School
- Avery Kenworthy, Unionville High School
- Andrew Tuturice, Valley Forge Military Academy
- Maggie McHale, Villa Maria Academy High School
- Gabriella Alex, West Chester East High School
The students were selected for their ability to stand up for what they believe in and for speaking out on behalf of others.
Among the winners, the Widener University High School Leadership Awards recognizes students who:
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership through community service, advocacy, and social initiatives that positively impact local neighborhoods.
- Exemplify academic excellence while fostering inclusivity, diversity, and peer mentorship within their school environments.
- Inspire positive change by leading efforts to address important social, environmental, and educational causes.
“On behalf of Widener University, I extend my deepest congratulations to the 134 outstanding student leaders from across our region who have been named 2025 High School Leadership Award recipients,” said Stacey Robertson, president of Widener University.
“We are thrilled to recognize this group of impressive young people who have displayed such a strong commitment to their communities through acts of leadership and caring. Widener is known for our culture of belonging where people feel welcome, and students can thrive as their authentic selves. We honor these 134 award winners for demonstrating courage, tenacity and leadership while exhibiting the same drive reflected in Widener’s principles.”
Winners were invited to an in-person program on March 26 with their families and school administrators at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia’s historic district.
In addition to being recognized as young leaders in the region, if students enroll at Widener as undergraduates, they will participate in the university’s prestigious Apogee Leadership Scholars program and receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years.
“NBC10 and Telemundo62 are honored to continue our long-standing partnership with Widener University to celebrate this year’s outstanding award recipients,” said Tracy Davidson, NBC10 Anchor and Investigative Consumer Reporter. “These students are already proving to be impactful leaders in their schools and communities. We’re proud to help recognize and celebrate their many achievements, and we look forward to seeing how they make a positive difference in college and beyond.”
