Five exceptional students  beginning their college journeys with a boost from AFSA, which proudly awarded them the prestigious Diann Woodard Scholarship for 2025. These remarkable students were selected for their academic excellence, commitment to community service, and strong work ethic—qualities that embody the very spirit of AFSA.

Named in honor of the late Diann Woodard, former AFSA president and lifelong advocate for education and equity, the scholarship continues her legacy of empowering the next generation of leaders.

Each recipient received a $2,500 award to help cover first-year college expenses. The program is open exclusively to children of AFSA members in good standing, ensuring that each winner reflects the values of dedication, service, and perseverance that define the AFSA community.

“The Diann Woodard Scholarship reflects our deep commitment to helping the children of AFSA members reach their academic dreams,” said AFSA President Mark Cannizzaro. “These students truly exemplify the values Diann championed throughout her life.”

Through this scholarship, AFSA not only honors Diann Woodard’s enduring influence but also invests in the bright futures of its members’ families—young people ready to lead, serve, and make a difference in the world.

The recipients of the 2025 Diann Woodard Scholarship are:

Shelby Barnes

My name is Shelby Jaye Barnes. I was born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland. I am the youngest and only girl among three older brothers. My parents, Dr. Portia Barnes and Shelby J. Barnes, raised me in southern Prince George’s County, where I attended Prince George’s County Public Schools for my primary and secondary education.

I plan to become a forensic accountant and help those struggling with economic challenges such as fraud and corruption. I want to protect the financial well-being of the public. In addition, I hope to change the stereotype of what an accountant looks like, as only 2% of accountants in the industry are African American. I strive to be a representative for other students who look like me and to help expand diversity within the field.

• AFSA Local 109: Association of Supervisory & Administrative School Personnel (Prince George's County, Maryland)
• Parent: Dr. Portia M. Barnes
• School: Frederick Douglass High School 
• College: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• Major: Accounting

Paola Casas

I am Paola Casas. I was born and raised in San Diego, California, and I recently graduated from Otay Ranch High School. This fall, I will be attending the University of California, Berkeley, as an incoming freshman. I plan to major in anthropology through the College of Letters and Science at UC Berkeley.

I have always been a curious child, eager to learn about our history, and I have long been fascinated by museums—places that tell stories about people I could never meet, through portraits, sculptures, ancient texts, and old love letters. My career goals include becoming an archaeologist with an emphasis on Mesoamerican cultures. Being able to analyze the historical, sociological, and biological aspects of my heritage will allow me to feel more connected to myself as a Latina and deepen my love for history through a professional lens. I would also like to pursue a career as an art historian, working to conserve and document artworks, as I am captivated by understanding how, why, and when a piece of art was created.

• AFSA Local 150: Administrators Association Sweetwater Union (San Diego, CA)
• Parent: Julio Casas
• School: Otay Ranch High School 
• College: University of California, Berkeley
• Major: Anthropology

Leonardo Garcia

I am a passionate STEM advocate who has excelled both academically and through service to my community. My community involvement includes serving as a student board member for the San Diego County Office of Education and contributing to environmental programs such as the Fix-It Clinic, Garden 31, and the San Diego Unified Environmental Literacy Task Force.

I have been recognized as one of San Diego’s 25 Most Remarkable Teens and have received multiple Presidential Service Awards. I have also been honored for my innovation in national STEM competitions. I plan to pursue a degree in engineering with a focus on sustainability and public impact.

• AFSA Local 134: Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools (San Diego)
• Parent: Shannon Garcia
• School: Kearny School of Engineering Innovation and Design
• College: San Diego State University
• Major: Engineering

Adam Martin

As the son of two educators, I learned from an early age the value of investing in young people—not just financially, but also with time and energy. Students’ experiences shape how they think and act long after they leave school. Good teachers and good schools have the power to change lives. I have been fortunate to have teachers who devoted their time and energy to my peers and me throughout my 14 years in the Baltimore City Public Schools. However, compared to other schools, our students often lack opportunities and resources that would allow them to explore new fields, limiting their potential. I am committed to closing the resource gap that hinders underfunded schools because I strongly believe every student should have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

As a high school student, I worked to address the resource gap affecting student-athletes in Baltimore City as a member of the Under Armour Student Athlete Leadership Council. We partnered with high schools to provide jerseys, events, and other resources that enabled students to participate in athletics regardless of financial background. I also helped develop proposals to provide Baltimore City middle schools with track and field equipment, giving students access to the sport at the same age as those in more privileged schools. Additionally, I represented Maryland at the National Federation of High School Sports National Student Leadership Conference, where I advocated for equity in youth athletics on a national level. While there is still much work to be done to achieve equity for students in Baltimore City and across the country, I am committed to making the change I envision.

• AFSA Local 25: Public School Administrators & Supervisors Association of Baltimore CIty (Baltimore, MD)
• Parent: Marcus Martin
• School: Baltimore City College High School
• College: University of Maryland
• Major: Communication

Taryn Petruncola

I will be starting college at the University of San Diego, majoring in business data analytics. I am the founder of a nonprofit called Soothing Strings, where I play the harp to calm Alzheimer’s and hospice patients, often receiving standing ovations at nursing homes across the Front Range area. These compassionate efforts have drawn attention and praise from Denver-area newspapers and business leaders.

This summer, I was selected from hundreds of applicants to work with legislators in Washington, D.C., representing Colorado’s electric cooperatives to help inform policy and investment decisions that promote more resilient, reliable, and efficient energy systems. I was also chosen for the prestigious international Women in Science Future STEM Leaders program in India, organized by the U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs, Google, and the Consulate General of the United States. Since STEM is a passion of mine, I applied and was selected as a national ambassador for Women in Data Science (WiDS) to encourage more young girls to pursue careers in data science. Locally, I was recently selected to serve on the Broomfield Teen Council, promoting philanthropy in the Broomfield area, and on the Colorado Youth Congress, where I practice leadership through partnerships with influential decision-makers at the state and local levels.

• Child of an AFSA Associate Member
• Parent: Carrie Ridenour
• School: Erie High School in Erie, Colorado
• College: University of San Diego
• Major: Business Data Analytics