Samira Dahdah

Samira Dahdah graduated from the Early College at Guilford in Greensboro, North Carolina. While at Guilford, Dahdah volunteered with the Bonner Scholars Program, working with community kitchens, and at the Guilford Farmer’s Market to address sustainability issues. She also served as president of her school’s Red Cross Club. Dahdah also worked as a mentor and tutor at Florence Elementary School, where she helped children with learning disabilities. She graduated as an AP Scholar with Honors and intends to major in sociology at Carolina. As a Bonner Leader, Dahdah will work with TABLE.

Edward Diaz

Edward Diaz graduated from Cox Mill High School in Concord, North Carolina, where he was senior class president. Diaz’s other achievements include serving as co-president of Athletes Who Share Unselfish Moments Club (AWSUM), a student-athlete service club that helps with Special Olympics, as well as working as a Special Olympics volunteer. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and a Principal’s Award Recipient. Diaz intends to major in nutrition through the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and as a Bonner Leader will be working with the Hargraves Community Center.

Whitney Edmonds

Whitney Edmonds graduated valedictorian from Southeast Halifax High School in Halifax, North Carolina. As a student, she worked 96 volunteer hours at the Tillery Community Center. Edmonds served as treasurer of the National Honor Society and completed an internship in early childhood education. She intends to major in Mathematical Decision Sciences and as a Bonner Leader will work with Volunteers for Youth.

Elliot Chen

Elliot Chen graduated from Eastern Guilford High School in Gibsonville, North Carolina. Chen served as a National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad (NCCJ) ANYTOWN Ambassador and was Chairman of the 2013 Student Ambassadors. His achievements also include organizing an anti-bullying campaign at Eastern Guilford High. Chen was captain of the men’s varsity basketball team and president of the National Honor Society. He intends to major in business and as a Bonner Leader will be working withEmPOWERment, Inc.

Shaza Gaballah

Shaza Gaballah graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina. She is an avid public speaker and co-founded the blog “Kill the High” to raise awareness about the effects of substance abuse. Gaballah worked as a library volunteer throughout high school and has been a member of national student organization HOSA for four years. She plans on majoring in biology, and as a Bonner Leader will work with Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE).

Sarah Henderson

Sarah Henderson graduated from Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, Virginia. As senior director of her school’s Key Club, Henderson incorporated the Teens for Jeans campaign into the Key Club’s goals to help homeless youth. She also won the “Above and Beyond Award” given to an outstanding Key Club member at the 2013 Capital District Key Club Convention. Henderson was a member of National Honor Society and volunteered as a volleyball coach at her former middle school for three years. She intends to double major in biology and psychology and will work with Street Scene Teen Center.

Sarah Howard

Sarah Howard graduated from Cedar Ridge High School in Efland, North Carolina where she earned an International Baccalaureate diploma. At Cedar Ridge, Howard served as president of National Honor Society, and was a member of National Latin Honor S

ociety. As a member of the Cedar Ridge softball team, Howard was a 2013 Carolina 12 2-A Conference First Team honoree. She has been a long-time volunteer at non-profit Girls Rock NC. Howard intends to double major in public policy and women’s studies and will work with the Chapel Hill Family Resource Center.

Jemeia Kollie

Jemeia Kollie graduated with honors from Newton High School in Covington, Georgia. At Newton High, Kollie served as senior class president. She completed an internship at Newton Medical Center. At Carolina, Kollie intends to major in public health and as a Bonner Leader will work with The Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History.

Diane Li

Diane Li graduated from Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, New York where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Li won third place for her group documentary “The Iron Underground: From IRT to MTA” in the 2013 New York State History Day competition. She organized a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy, ran a trick-or-treat fundraiser for UNICEF, and volunteered with the Interfaith Nutrition Network. Li plans to double major in global studies and history and as a Bonner Leader will work with The Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History.

Oscar Menzer

Oscar Menzer graduated from Grimsley Senior High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. Menzer was a teen volunteer atMoses H. Cone Memorial Hospital and served as a “Brooks Buddy” tutor and mentor at Brooks Global Studies School. He also helped promote Greensboro’s Downtown Greenway Project. At Grimsley High School, Menzer was captain/MVP of his cross country and track teams, a member of National Honor Society, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He intends to major in Environmental Health at Carolina and as a Bonner Leader will be working with Farmer Foodshare.

Rashiidah Richardson

Rashiidah Richardson graduated from Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina as an AP Scholar with Honors. Richardson was also recognized as a Jack Britt “Outstanding Senior.” She served as secretary of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, and hosted a skate-a-thon to raise money for child advocacy. At Carolina, Richardson plans to major in psychology and as a Bonner Leader will work with Sacrificial Poets.

Jessica Smith

Jessica Smith graduated from Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. She competed on the women’s varsity swimming and tennis teams. Smith volunteered with theAppalachia Service Project and participated in community service through her local church. She plans on majoring in biology and as a Bonner Leader will work with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Human Rights Center.

Jason Urbano

Jason Urbano graduated from Southwest Guilford High School in High Point, North Carolina. Urbano worked as a volunteer with the Out of the Garden Project and was a mentor with the Lunch Buddy program at his high school. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southwest Guilford and intends to major in business at Carolina. As a Bonner Leader, Urbano will be working with Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate.

Crystal Yuille

Crystal Yuille graduated with an International Baccalaureate diploma from Urbana High School in Frederick, Maryland. Yuille served as events coordinator for the National English Honor Society, and was a member of both National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. She was co-captain of the women’s varsity indoor/outdoor track team, and volunteered as assistant coach for the middle school volleyball team. Yuille also volunteered for the Frederick County Public Library’s summer reading program. She intends to double major in global studies and mass communication and as a Bonner Leader will work with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Human Rights Center.