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Drumroll, Please! 2025 Scholarship Winners

The winners of our HGU Build A Better Future Scholarship have been chosen! There were so many amazing projects submitted. I was amazed by the dedication, time, and passion that went into each project. It was so hard to choose the top five; I spent a couple of weeks going through each application, making notes, going back through applications, and working with our HGU team to narrow it down. It was tough, but we finally settled on our decisions.

And the winners are…

Ryleigh Brenamen-Trumbull

Project: ALS Awareness Campaign

Ryleigh is passionate about ALS research and care. She is seeking to provide a better experience for patients in the throes of ALS diagnosis and treatment. Through her dedication and time, she has hosted several fundraising events that have raised over $29,000. The money has been donated directly to Hoenselaar Clinical Trial Program in Detroit, Michigan. She says, “In my community, the impact of ALS became deeply personal when three individuals, including my grandmother, were diagnosed with the disease. This experience highlighted a significant issue being the lack of research and funding dedicated to ALS. Despite the devastating nature of the disease, which progressively affects mobility, speech and breathing, ALS remains underfunded and receives limited attention compared to other diseases. The lack of resources for ALS research is a critical concern. While families like mine are left to cope with the emotional and physical toll of the disease, there is insufficient investment in scientific research and treatment development. The current pace of progress is slow and the options available for those affected by ALS are limited. It is clear that more funding and support are needed to improve the lives of those diagnosed with ALS. Increased awareness and investment in research are essential to accelerate the discovery of effective treatments and ultimately a cure. Advocating for more resources is vital to ensuring that individuals and families affected by ALS have access to better care and hope for the future.”

Maria Avila-Silva

Project: Pathfinders

Being an immigrant herself, Maria knows how difficult it can be to find the appropriate resources for accessing higher education. Her project aims to help immigrant students like herself build confidence and access to the resources needed for post-high school education. She says, “Growing up in my community, I’ve seen so many talented immigrant students held back by obstacles like self-doubt, lack of resources, and the belief that higher education is out of reach. I’ve watched friends with incredible potential question if they’re “good enough” or wonder how they could afford college, and it breaks my heart.

As someone who came to the United States from Venezuela at the age of nine, I understand these struggles firsthand. I’ve been in their shoes, feeling like an outsider and unsure of where to turn for help. That’s why I’m passionate about my work with Pathfinders, where I help immigrant students find their path to higher education. Through this program, I’ve shown students that college is not just a distant dream, but an achievable goal. Whether it’s guiding them through applications, offering mentorship, or reminding them that their passion matters. I’m driven to help students overcome the barriers that hold them back and empower them to believe in themselves and their futures. Every student deserves the chance to believe in themselves, and I’m committed to making that happen.”

Eva McIver-Jenkins and Ava Gonnella

Project: Laps for Philly

Eva and Ava knew more could be done for underprivileged kids who wanted to learn more about swimming. Together, they teamed up to create an amazing organization that provides swimming lessons and gear for kids who need it. Eva wrote, “I grew up on the pool deck, surrounded by the sharp scent of chlorine and the joy of teammates cheering each other on. My first swim team, based in West Philadelphia, was small, spirited, and predominantly Black—one of the few in the city where I felt I truly belonged. But as I moved to more competitive teams, I began to notice how rare that space was. Often, I was the only Black swimmer at the meet. It made me ask: Why aren’t there more kids who look like me in the water?

The answer wasn’t talent—it was access.

In response, I co-founded Laps for Philly, a grassroots initiative to bring aquatics to underserved communities. We fund swim lessons, lifeguard certifications, and gear, and partner with schools and centers to host workshops that reframe swimming as more than just a sport. Swimming is a life-saving skill, a source of joy and recreation, and for many—like me—a pathway to scholarships and academic opportunity.

Our mission is simple: go to where the people are—not just physically, but with understanding and respect. Through Laps for Philly, I’ve seen kids fall in love with swimming and realize the water has always been theirs, too.”

Fowwaz Moeen

Project: Food for Friends

Fowwaz became aware of the problem of food insecurity, and sought to do something about it. Using resources available to him, as well as securing additional funding, he was able to build several garden beds and restore a damaged greenhouse on his school’s campus. The garden beds are maintained by fellow students, and the crops grown and harvested are donated to local food pantries. Fowwaz wrote, “When I first walked into room C311 as a shy freshman, I never imagined the UNICEF club would define my high school experience. As I progressed from member to President, I expected my impact would be contained to UNICEF. However, the defining moment of my leadership came during the 2022 monsoon floods in Pakistan, which left 1/3 of children with malnutrition. I launched an urgent campaign to raise awareness and funds. Yet I didn’t have to look past Houston to see food insecurity firsthand.

In Houston, nearly 30% of low-income residents live in food deserts (areas where access to fresh, affordable food is scarce). In one of the most multi-cultural cities of the country, this issue impacts a diverse community—over 644,710 people in my home county of Harris alone. It affects the most vulnerable members of our community, impacting their health, well-being, and—for the 1 in 4 children in Houston who are food insecure—even their education.

Access to fresh and healthy produce is a basic human right, and by addressing food insecurity, I realized I could bridge socio-economic divides in my city. That’s when the idea for Food for Friends was born.”

Japteg Singh-Bamrah

Our top winner this year was Japteg Sing-Bamrah. In addition to the scholarship award, Japteg will also receive an additional $5,000 to continue work on his project.

Project: Solar Mech Machine

Japteg saw a need, and sought to make it better. In an effort to make farming more efficient and sustainable, Japteg designed, created, and implemented an innovative renewable energy solution. He wrote, “India, being an agrarian country, faces two major challenges in rural development: electricity availability and post-harvest losses. In many areas of my community in Punjab, over 40% of post-harvest produce is lost due to inadequate electricity, lack of dryers, and insufficient cold storage facilities. These losses lead to severe financial setbacks for farmers, contributing significantly to the growing number of farmer suicides.

There is an urgent need to adopt renewable energy solutions that can operate in standalone, hybrid, or combined heat and power (CHP) modes. However, without adequate government support, such technologies remain unaffordable for most farmers. After conducting cost and feasibility analyses—considering renewable sources, economic viability, and mean sunshine hours—I discovered the potential of a Stirling cycle-based CHP system to convert external heat into mechanical power.

Following my selection at the Jigyasa Hackathon, I received mentorship at CSIR-IIIM Jammu. Through extensive design analysis, load calculations, and CAD modeling, we developed a functional prototype—SolarMech—a solar CHP system using air pressure as the working fluid. This innovation presents a promising, sustainable solution to the dual challenges of power scarcity and post-harvest losses in rural India.”

Congratulations to this year’s winners. Stay tuned for coming posts spotlighting each of our winners, with more details about their projects!

To learn more about our scholarship and what was required of these amazing winners, click here.

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Out of Classroom Support

I remember my first year teaching— I was an intern, and I honestly was flying by the seat of my pants most of the year. I was still finishing up my college courses and trying to run a full schedule of 7 periods of junior high English classes. It was a lot. Ok, maybe that’s an understatement. It sometimes felt like I was drowning in a sea of teaching responsibilities, and the only thing being thrown at me to attempt to help me was a scraggly little piece of thread that kept breaking anytime I’d try grab on to it. 

However, In the midst of all of the chaos and learning, I learned to prioritize my students and my relationship with them. I didn’t want to just be a warm body standing at the front of the room; I wanted to be someone my students knew they could trust, learn from, and enjoy school with. I wanted them to know that I truly cared about them and their well being. 

Part of this process was learning about their interests, hobbies, and lives. It meant remembering to ask how their football game went, how play auditions went, and if they were going to try out for the basketball team. For one student in particular, it meant accepting an invitation to attend a horse-riding show she was going to be in. I will never forget how excited she was when I walked into the arena to watch her compete, nor will I forget how much it meant to her parents that I was there. 

As I continued my teaching experience, I attended many other school sponsored competitions, plays, games, concerts, and performances. I didn’t do it because I was bored or didn’t have anything else to do; teachers are busy people with lives outside of school. I did it because I valued my students and their interests. I prioritized building relationships and trust with them so that they knew I cared and that they would feel safe in my classroom. 

Now, as a junior high teacher, I had well over 200 students each year. There is no way I could possibly attend every event that each student had. But I did what I could, and made sure to be aware and ask questions so that they knew I cared, even if I couldn’t be there in person. 

Obviously there is a line to be aware of—avoiding attending events at a student’s home, or situations where you are one-on-one with a student is a good rule of thumb, as well as avoiding only picking one student to attend events for. You’d never want to put your job at risk— there are other ways to show your students you care about them. However, if the event is in a public place, and is a public event, attending their things can be a good way to show you care. 

Teachers do so much for their students inside the classroom, and it’s important to remember that there are ways to support them outside of the classroom as well. If your circumstances permit, try it. Buy a ticket to the school play and watch the amazing students perform. Grab your significant other and head to the homecoming football game. Take your sister or brother with you and grab a seat at the next orchestra concert. It will be well worth your time, and I can promise you that, even if they don’t show it, your students will be so happy you came to support them. Investing in the people you care about is a great way to spend your time and energy, and the pay out is immeasurable.

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Mother’s Day Crafting for the Classroom

Mother’s Day is just a few days away! I love it when my kids come home from school with handmade little gifts that I can hold on to and cherish. If you need an idea or two for your students to do, I’ve got you covered! I’ve also included a few free printable files at the end of this post to make it even easier for you!

  • Shrink art- You can purchase this at any craft store, at Walmart, or on Amazon. Have your students write a little note or draw a picture for their mother or mother figure. Punch a hole at the top, bake to shrink, then make it into a keychain.
  • “All About My Mom” survey- these are especially fun with younger kids. Ask them the questions and write their answers.
  • Print, color and cut out a Mother’s Day bookmark. Laminate it to make it last. (See the printable at the bottom)
  • If you teach older kids who aren’t super into making cute little crafts or pictures, have them write a letter or note to their mother or to a mother figure in their life. A note from a teenager is truly a cherished gift!
  • Print off (onto cardstock) the blank puzzle templates at the bottom of this page and have your students draw a picture of them and their mom doing their favorite activity. Have them cut the puzzle into pieces, then mom can put it together!
  • Pressed flowers- Use the free jar printable at the bottom of this page for this activity. Have your students collect and press wild flowers (if allowed and you have some near you), or make small paper flowers. Glue the flowers onto to jar, then use clear contact paper or laminator to seal them onto the paper.
  • Book about Mom- Have students draw a picture for a few prompts about their moms (favorite food, favorite color, favorite thing to do, etc.), then put the pictures together into a book.

I recognize that not all students will have a mother present in their home, so you could encourage them to create something for a friend, neighbor, teacher, or other family member that is a mother figure in their life. 

Enjoy creating with your students!

Mother’s Day BookmarksDownload
Blank PuzzlesDownload
Empty JarsDownload
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Teacher Appreciation Ideas

As the school year draws to a close, most schools will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week sometime during the month of May. Teachers love to feel appreciated (doesn’t anyone, though?!), because too often, the amount of work they do goes unnoticed and unacknowledged. Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to celebrate the amazing teachers you know and to let them know that you do notice all the work they do! 

Here are a few ideas for simple ways to show your gratitude:

  • A heartfelt note from you and/or your child. I still have a file of all the kind notes that were given to me over my years of teaching! They are some of my most treasured possessions.
  • A gift card to their favorite restaurant
  • A gift card to the movie theater— teachers deserve a break!
  • Their favorite snack, treat, or drink
  • If they like to read, a new book might be a great gift.
  • School supplies are always needed and welcomed!
  • A gift basket with some summer essentials— a beach towel, sunscreen, and some treats!
  • A gift card to treat themselves to something at their favorite store or online shopping spot
  • Print out a cute tag that goes along with a little gift (Pinterest has SO many to choose from). I’ve added one at the bottom of this post that you’re welcome to print out and use! Just attach to a small reusable tote bag, and you’re set! I left the bottom corner open so you can write your child’s name on the tag.

From a teacher’s perspective, here are a few things to maybe think twice about before gifting (not because we’re not grateful— we are! But because some of these things can be very specific to each individual person):

  • Anything scented— some people are sensitive to scents or prefer certain scents over others.
  • Mugs— most teachers have enough mugs to fill an entire cabinet!
  • Homemade food or treats— some teachers have food allergies, and without knowing if the food contains any allergens or if there is cross-contamination, they may be hesitant to enjoy the treat. 
  • Live plants or flowers— they aren’t for everyone, and not everyone has a place to plant them or put them.

Whatever you choose to do to show your gratitude, I’m certain it will be gladly and happily accepted. It doesn’t have to be a huge, lavish gift. A simple note goes further than you might ever know. Be sure to thank the amazing teachers in your life!

Teacher Appreciation TagsDownload

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A Letter to Sports Parents

Dear Sports Parents,

I promise you that the crazy, chaotic schedules are worth it. The nights you spend in your car, shuttling kids from one practice or game to another, they aren’t a waste of time. The time you spend away from your house, eating dinner on the run, is time well spent. It might not seem like it in the moment, but it is. Your kids may not seem grateful for the sacrifices you are making on their behalf, but one day they will understand. 

That loss that your son’s soccer game had the other night was tough, for sure. But it provided your son with experience, opportunity, and growth. It gave him a chance to practice being a good sport, learning from mistakes, and thinking about how he can improve. 

When your daughter made the drill team, but her best friends didn’t, it was a bittersweet moment for you both. It gave you a chance to talk about being proud of your accomplishments, but not rubbing it in people’s faces. It gave her an opportunity to practice empathy and kindness. 

When your daughter’s basketball team took state, you celebrated. You celebrated the long days/nights of practices, the time spent in the bleachers cheering her and her team on, and the growth you’ve seen in her as she’s played. You celebrated her win because you know it’s important to her, and you know how hard she’s worked for it. You celebrated that she was able to see her hard work pay off.

When your son didn’t make the football team, you cried with him after he found out. You told him how proud you were of him for giving it his best shot. You didn’t tell him that things were going to be okay and that he could always try next year. Instead, you let him feel what he felt, and allowed him to grieve what he didn’t get. You supported him and loved him and encouraged him. When he is ready to try again, he’ll let you know. Until then, you keep loving him and cheering him on in whatever he does. 

When all five of your kids wanted to sign up for sports, and they all overlapped, making your schedule a million times more hectic, you did it anyway. You’ll figure out the transportation and time issue later. For now, you’re giving them all a chance to try something out, take a risk, and learn from their experiences. You’re showing them that you believe in them.

You do all of this because you know the amazing benefits that come from kids being on a sports team. Sure, there are the physical benefits of movement, exercise, and strength. But on a less tangible note, the life skills they learn are innumerable. They learn things on the field, in the studio, or in the pool that can’t be taught as effectively in a classroom. Studies have shown that kids who participate in some kind of sports-related activity actually end up doing better academically. Sports give kids the opportunity to learn how to work as a team and how to be a good teammate. Kids learn about sportsmanship. They learn to support and cheer on their peers. They learn that winning isn’t everything. They become more confident. They learn what they are capable of, and how to push themselves beyond what they thought was possible. Sports allow kids to take risks and try new things. Friendships are formed, lessons learned, and new skills are gained. 

So yes, being a parent of a kid (or kids) in sports can be exhausting. It’s time consuming. It can be financially straining at times. But it’s so worth it. The effort you put forth in supporting them is never wasted, and will have lasting effects. So the next time you find yourself scarfing down a protein bar as you drive your son to practice, then race across town to pick your daughter up from her game, remember what you’re doing is important, and is totally worth the sacrifice.

Sincerely,

A fellow sports parent and former teacher

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Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills- Do Both Matter?

Schools are an excellent place for teaching important (some crucial), measurable skills like reading, math, science, other technical skills, and so on. These kinds of skills are called hard skills, and are pretty easy to track progress in— there are clear, definitive answers and methods to how these skills are learned and carried out. Other learned skills, however, don’t have answers and methods that are quite so cut and dry. These are referred to as soft skills— behavioral traits like leadership, time management, communication skills, critical thinking, and problem solving, among others. 

Should schools be responsible for teaching both kinds of skills? I think they already partially are. I believe that when you teach hard skills, the soft skills sometimes just naturally work their way into the teaching and learning. For example, if you are teaching a science concept, and students are put into groups to do an experiment, they will naturally be forced to use problem solving, team work, communication, and other soft skills. 

Soft skills are equally as important (if not more so in some situations) as hard skills are. In fact, many employers today tend to favor soft skill knowledge over hard skill knowledge. In a digital world where people are spending less time interacting face to face, employers today need people who can take responsibility, lead a team, communicate, and effectively solve problems. 

If employers are favoring soft skills over hard skills, then how do we as teachers ensure that we are providing opportunities for our students to learn these important soft skills that will aid them as they grow, progress, and eventually enter the adult world? Like was mentioned before, a lot of it stems from things that are already happening in our classrooms. So many of the activities and projects we ask students to take part in naturally lend themselves to teaching these crucial soft skills. Group work encourages communication and leadership. Reports and presentations give students a chance to practice leadership and communication skills. Word problems and other kinds of problems allow students to use critical thinking skills. Larger projects provide excellent lessons and chances to learn time management and organization skills. 

Soft skills can even be learned outside of the classroom, in places like home, church, or while doing a sport. Sports provide many valuable opportunities for soft skill attainment, and can teach those skills in ways unlike anything else. Parents can encourage their children to learn and practice soft skills within the walls of their homes by providing children with opportunities to lead family meetings, do chores, work as a team with siblings, or manage and balance their activities and time. Church groups can also provide great opportunities for kids to learn communication skills, leadership skills, and empathy.

While some children are seemingly born with natural soft skills, others need to be taught. As adults, we ought to do our best to encourage and teach the youth of today these soft skills that will greatly aid them in the coming years. Our future selves will thank us later.

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Another Non-Fiction Book That is Fun to Teach

A while back, I wrote a post about non-fiction books providing really cool teaching opportunities in the classroom, and highlighted one book that I had great success with while teaching junior high school. You can find that post here. Today, I thought I’d highlight another book I had great success teaching with my seventh grade classes: Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong.

Shipwreck tells the story of Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 27 men and their 19 month ordeal of being stuck in Antarctica. The story begins in 1914 as the crew sets sail from England, headed to Antarctica, hoping to be the first crew to cross the entire continent from one side to the other. Things go terribly wrong five months into their trip when their ship, The Endurance gets trapped in ice, and eventually is crushed and then sinks. The crew must face the harshest conditions, low food rations, and high emotions as they try to get to help. Miraculously, all 28 men survive the ordeal and make it home. It truly is an inspiring story of grit and determination.

To introduce this book, I would use an anticipatory guide where I told students they were going on a trip, and they could only take 5 personal items with them in their bag. They wouldn’t have access to power, there wouldn’t be cell phone service or Wi-Fi, and other technology would be limited. Food and sleeping gear would be provided, but everything else was up to them. They had to choose their items, then defend their choices. 

Following that activity, I would have them take a true/false “quiz” with facts about Antarctica. Students were always fascinated by the cool facts they learned about this giant ice continent. 

With that, we were ready to start reading! We would go one chapter at a time, and go over new vocabulary words as we read (there are LOTS of new words in the book). We would read the book during January, which is one of the coldest months where I live. I would always take my classes outside for a while (not long enough to harm them), so they could feel how cold it was, and remind them that what the crew felt was even colder. 

We did activities that involved map reading, learning about different kinds of ice, and comparing our diets and calorie intake to that of the crew, We tracked the crew’s expedition and charted it on a map, using longitude and latitude. We learned about the type of wildlife that lives down there. We compared facts about Antarctica with the state where we live– things like land size, wildlife, population, weather, etc. We journaled as if we were part of the crew, and learned about the kind of sailing technology they had. We measured out the size of their lifeboats and marked it with tape on the floor, then had several students fit inside the outline so that they could see how cramped it would have been. We would end the unit by watching a documentary about the expedition, the crew, and what happened to them after they made it back home.

I did my best to make the experience as authentic as possible so that students could really “feel” what it would have been like to be part of the crew of the Endurance. Students enjoyed the unit and had several hands-on opportunities as we read, which kept them engaged and focused on what we were reading. Because of the activities we did, we covered several other content areas like math, science, writing, and history. 

As an adult reading the book, I also found it fascinating and never tired of this unit. I looked forward to teaching it each year. It was definitely filed under my “Non-Fiction Books Don’t Have to be Boring” file!