AFSA is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2020 Diann Woodard Scholarship. Each will receive a one-time $2,500 award to put toward their higher education tuition.
The annual Diann Woodward Scholarship is given to a select few high school seniors who demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing post-secondary education, a passion for volunteering and an outstanding work ethic. All children of AFSA members in good standing are eligible to apply.
Meet Our 2020 Honorees
Eva Schultz
High School: San Diego High School of International Studies, San Diego, California
College: University of California, Berkeley
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
AFSA Parent: Marisol Marin, Elementary School Principal
Local 134: Administrators Association San Diego City Schools
Extracurriculars: Ballet Folklorico, American Civil Liberties Union, César Chávez Service Clubs
Eva Schultz is from San Diego, California, and has enjoyed being involved across various communities, such as dancing ballet folklorico to celebrate her Mexican heritage, and practicing social activism with such organizations as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the César Chávez Service Clubs.
“Throughout high school,” she said, “I discovered that my passion for social justice and science could find an intersection.” Through her ACLU involvement, she noted, “I have the opportunity to educate those in my community about access to health care, registering to vote, and how to handle interaction with law enforcement.”
Schultz will channel that passion in her pursuit of a degree in molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley, with her ultimate goal that of becoming an OB/GYN, so she can “join my passions of helping others, but at the same time…advance my understanding of the scientific, biological world.”
Benjamin Cole
High School: Oakdale High School, Ijamsville, Maryland
College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
AFSA Parent: Robert Cole, Coordinator of Digital Education
Local 36: Howard County Administrators Association
Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, Ambassador Program, Tutoring, Soccer
Benjamin Cole of New Market, Maryland, enjoyed great success in his high school years, earning honor society membership for math, science and English, as well as overall scholarship. He also helped his school’s soccer team win a state championship. He spent time giving back to others as a member of a school program pairing him with fellow students struggling academically or socially, and as a leader in training at a summer camp for children with Type 1 diabetes.
“I got hands-on experience helping campers manage their blood sugars and mentoring them in the process,” said Cole, who lives with diabetes himself.
He will use the scholarship to study biochemistry and molecular biology on the pre-med track at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Cole intends to become a pediatric endocrinologist to combine his lived experiences “with the STEM courses I take to work toward a cure for diabetes.”
Andreas Psahos
High School: Hunter College High School, New York, New York
College: Cornell University
Major: Policy Analysis and Management
AFSA Parent: Panagiota Psahos, Elementary School Assistant Principal
Local 1: Council of School Supervisors & Administrators
Extracurriculars: Next Generation Council at DOROT, Mock Trial, Student Newspaper
Andreas Psahos was born and raised in Astoria, New York. He began taking the train into the city for school in 6th grade—and once he got over his transportation fears, discovered his passions, including teaching youngsters about conservation at the Central Park Zoo, and working to close the education gap and plan intergenerational programs for teens and older adults. Psahos counts among his interests the arts, public speaking and writing.
“I have made it a mission of mine to help create spaces for the student body to come together as a community,” he said, “[to] learn the nuances of different cultures, and become informed on current events.”
Psahos will continue nurturing the mingling of community organization and the classroom at Cornell University, where he will major in policy analysis and management.
Aidan Cohen
High School: James Madison High School, Brooklyn, New York
College: Gettysburg College
Major: Undecided
AFSA Parent: Jodie Cohen, High School Principal
Local 1: Council of School Supervisors & Administrators
Extracurriculars: Football
Aidan Cohen is from New York City and dedicated his high school years to football and academics (and trying to ignore the fact his mom was the school’s principal!). He got past the challenge of moving from a small middle school to a large high school and found his place in the school community, including as a member of the back-to-back city championship football team.
“I hope to return to my school as an educator,” Cohen said, “to help set a tone of inclusivity, equality and diversity, ensuring that students from all backgrounds, identities and needs receive [a] proper education.”
Cohen starts that journey at Gettysburg College.
Jackalyna Neuman
High School: Oak Park and River Forest High School, Oak Park, Illinois
College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Major: Mechanical Engineering
AFSA Parent: Rosa Hernandez, Elementary School Assistant Principal
Local 2: Chicago Principals & Administrators Association
Extracurriculars: Science Olympiad, ASPIRA, Softball, Spanish National Honor Society
Jackalyna Neuman, from the Chicagoland area, exhibited interest in a variety of activities, from science to culture to athletics. She was a member of Science Olympiad, ASPIRA (Latino Leadership Club) and the varsity softball team, and was inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society.
“I have always enjoyed math and science,” Neuman said, “But it wasn’t until I took a mandatory robotics class in 7th grade that I became interested in engineering. … [Now] I want to make hypersonic flight a reality.”
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is where Neuman will begin to pursue that goal, with a major in mechanical engineering. "I want to help solve these challenges and make hypersonic flight a reality," she said, "because I want to help the many fields that bring products to those that need help within not only the United States, but also the entire world."
