Elizabeth Koury and Rose Koury Scholarship Winners Announced

Four outstanding students in Northern Virginia have been awarded an Elizabeth Koury or Rose Koury Scholarship, both of which are administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. These scholarships each award up to $5,000 a year for four years. The Elizabeth Koury Scholarship was created to support graduating high school seniors in Northern Virginia who plan to pursue a career in medicine while the Rose Koury Scholarship was created to support graduating high school seniors in Northern Virginia who plan to pursue a career in elementary or early childhood education.

The winners of the Elizabeth Koury Scholarship include:

Alexander Nixon of Purcellville has received this scholarship to support his pursuit of a degree in bio-engineering at George Mason University. A graduate of Loudoun Valley High School, Nixon has led and participated in multiple civic activities, including Relay for Life and the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

“Science has always been an important part of my life,” says Nixon, who tracks his interest back to questions he asked as a five-year-old, such as ‘at what distance will paper catch on fire when held over a candle?’ “Much to my mother's dismay, I can tell you from personal experience the answer is about five inches.”

Prabhjeet Sandhu of Ashburn is the other recipient of the Elizabeth Koury Scholarship and will also attend George Mason University to pursue a degree in biology. A graduate of Broad Run High School, Sandhu has been involved in multiple organizations throughout her high school career, such as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and Key Club.

“I immigrated to United States from a small village in northwest part of India where there has always been a shortage of doctors,” commented Sandhu. “I made up mind at very early age to pursue a career in medicine. I decided to choose this field so I can help and make a difference in few lives.”

The winners of the Rose Koury Scholarship include:

Osasenaga Aghayere from South Lakes High School in Reston. Aghayere, who has been involved in many athletic and mentoring activities throughout high school, will attend the University of Virginia where he intends to pursue a degree in education.

“I believe that elementary school is the place where young minds are fostered and cultivated,” says Aghayere, who emigrated from Nigeria in fifth grade. “After receiving a master's in Education I hope to return to Nigeria and build an elementary school where kids can receive the fundamental education they need to further their lives.”

Monica Kiel from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke. Kiel, who has been involved in many extra curricular activities including the National Honors Society, Key Club and Future Educators Association, will attend the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she intends to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education.

“My interest in teaching developed when I was asked to babysit two children, one with autism the other with attention deficit disorder,” says Kiel. “I loved going in every day, no matter what was to ensue throughout the day. That is when I realized I wanted to work with special need children as a career.”