At a time when the promise of public education is being tested, Alliance scholars continue to rise—reminding us that excellence is not only measured by achievement, but by perseverance, purpose, and the power of community.
We are proud to announce our Class of 2025 scholarship recipients. Chosen from a highly competitive pool of more than 350 applicants, these scholars embody the hope and possibility that an Alliance education makes possible.
Below are three of our 23 remarkable winners, selected for their academic distinction, leadership, and zeal for redefining the future:
Nancy Xiquin, Carson Scholar
Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School, Class of 2025
*UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, or Pitzer College, Class of 2029
An example of resilience and excellence, Nancy transformed her personal challenges into purpose, using writing and poetry as both a refuge and a catalyst for change.
“Writing deepened my analytical thinking and engagement with literature and history. I became more disciplined in structuring my thoughts and had a renewed passion for learning. It was never just an escape; it was a tool for rebuilding myself, one verse at a time. Looking back, my greatest challenge wasn’t just the instability of my childhood—it was finding the strength to persevere despite it. Poetry was my first step forward, but my commitment to education has allowed me to keep moving. My experiences have shaped me into a fighter, a leader, and a storyteller, determined to break the walls that once held me back. Like a bird in flight, I can’t wait to take off in the sky embracing my own light.”
*Scholar is still deciding which college they will attend in the fall.
Matthew Ortega, Gayle Miller Leaders of Change Scholar
Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High School, Class of 2025
Yale University, Class of 2029
A leader deeply rooted in community, Matthew’s path is defined by service, justice, and a profound connection to the city he calls home.
“Through interacting with a melting pot of commuters and travelers in the Los Angeles area, the bus has always reaffirmed my presence in my community—evolving with my growing passion for service. From planning and executing a free resource fair for hundreds of low-income 57th Assembly District constituents, to handing out toys before Christmas, to protesting in Wilmington, my bus pass has become more than a ticket. It’s a tool I’ve used to uplift those around me. In my future career as a criminal prosecutor, I will fight for victims of unlawful eviction, I will fight to protect our youth, I will fight for all that ride the bus, and all that do not.”
Iris Daniel, Dan Katzir Scholar
Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School, Class of 2025
Brown University, Class of 2029
A visionary voice for innovation and transformation, Iris discovered her gift for storytelling and digital design to reimagine representation and belonging.
“Kwaku Anansi, the cunning trickster of Ghanaian folklore, is known for his ability to shapeshift—sometimes a man, sometimes a spider, always adapting to his surroundings. As a child, I listened to my parents read Anansi’s stories at bedtime, fascinated by his transformations. I didn’t realize then that shapeshifting would define my own journey, not as a trickster, but as someone learning to navigate multiple identities. My goal is to design digital platforms that amplify underrepresented voices—to build websites, campaigns, and media that tell authentic stories. Like Anansi, I have learned the power of shapeshifting, but instead of using it to deceive, I want to use it to create—to craft digital spaces where every identity feels seen, valued, and empowered.”
Thanks to nearly 300 supporters, Alliance awarded more than $275,000 in merit scholarships this spring, ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. We are especially grateful to the Alliance Foundation’s Scholar Success Board for championing the Gayle Miller Leaders of Change Scholarships, our volunteer readers and interviewers, and the Johnny Carson Foundation for over a decade of partnership in expanding college access.
To everyone who believes in the brilliance of our young people, thank you for walking alongside them as they chart their futures.