Last year, AFSA picked five remarkable individuals who have demonstrated not only academic excellence, but also a profound dedication to community service and a commendable work ethic, as the recipients of the 2023 Diann Woodard Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship program, named in honor of the late Diann Woodard, former AFSA president, aims to recognize and support the academic aspirations of deserving high school seniors.
Each recipient has been awarded a one-time scholarship of $2,500 to contribute to their freshman year of college.
These outstanding individuals were selected from a pool of applicants who are all children of AFSA members in good standing. The scholarship program aims to assist students who exhibit a strong commitment to pursuing post-secondary education, a passion for community service and an exemplary work ethic.
"The Diann Woodard Scholarship is a testament to AFSA's commitment to supporting the education and future success of our members' children. We are proud to recognize these exceptional young individuals who embody the values and spirit of Diann Woodard herself," said AFSA President Leonard Pugliese.
The annual scholarship program not only honors the memory of Diann Woodard but also reflects AFSA's broader commitment to fostering educational opportunities for the next generation. The recipients of the 2023 Diann Woodard Scholarship represent the best and brightest among the children of AFSA members, and AFSA is confident that they will continue to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond.
The recipients of the 2023 Diann Woodard Scholarship are:
Mekhi Allen
I am passionate about technology and how we can use innovative technologies to improve our lives and make the world a better place. Since technology is constantly evolving and has changed so much over the years, there is always a void that needs to be filled or can be improved upon in any sector to meet the needs of our modern society. I picked this career route because I think it has a lot of untapped potential.
- School: Bowie State University
- Parent/AFSA Member: Alemnesh Allen
- Local 109, Association of Supervisory & Administrative School Personnel of Prince George’s County, Maryland
Addie Conscascia
My personal goals are to form a sense of connection with my ethnic identity, travel and be exposed to a wide variety of cultures, and gain more social confidence by building a sense of community with my peers. My plan is to get the most out of my education by meeting these goals simultaneously with the courses and extracurriculars I choose in college.
- School: University of Connecticut
- Parent/AFSA Member: Donald Concascia
- Local 61, Connecticut-Vocational-Technical School Administrators Association
Olivia Flores
I have developed a strong passion for traveling and learning about other cultures. I would say one of my goals is to be able to make a career out of traveling and working with animals all over the world. In my experiences with Global Leadership Adventures, I have been able to see a tangible way in which I could really go abroad and work with other people who have similar passions as me.
- School: Ohio State University
- Parent/AFSA Member: Miriam Atlas
- Local 134, Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools (California)
Lauren McCarthy
I have been designing and creating things since I can remember. I always enjoy building things with beautiful outcomes, whether it was assisting my brother in creating an attachment to turn his conventional skateboard into an electric skateboard or creating an obstacle course for a marble to pass through before landing in a cup.
- School: University of Delaware
- Major: Civil Engineering
- Parent/AFSA Member: Thomas McCarthy
- Local 18, School Administrators Association of New Haven (Connecticut)
Andrew Ogundimu
My passion has been computer science and mathematics, and I hope to be a computer scientist with a focus on artificial intelligence. Recently, I have started to explore the intersectionality of Al and neuroscience...researching ways that might assist in autism or autoimmune diseases.
- School: Harvard University
- Parent/AFSA Member: Charles Ogundimu
- Local 1C, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators (New York City)
