The Community Foundation of Howard County is pleased to congratulate our 2026 scholarship recipients and celebrate the generosity of the donors who make these opportunities possible.
This year, CFHC awarded more than $41,500 in scholarships to 22 Howard County students representing 13 area high schools, helping them take the next step in their education.
“Scholarships are one of the many ways philanthropy can make a difference in people’s lives and in the future of our community. We are grateful to the donors who have chosen to invest in local students through CFHC and proud to help carry their generosity forward year after year.” – Melissa Curtin, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Howard County
CFHC scholarship funds are established by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who believe in investing in the future of our community. Each scholarship reflects the interests and intentions of the donors who created it, supporting students based on criteria that may include academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, field of study, and other areas of interest.
Through these funds, CFHC connects the generosity of our donors with the goals and aspirations of local students, helping make education more accessible while investing in the next generation.
“It is exciting to see what’s ahead for these 22 students. Each scholarship recognizes a student’s hard work and potential while providing meaningful support for the next step in their education. We congratulate all of this year’s recipients and look forward to seeing where their paths take them.” – Dee Athey, Director of Grants & Community Engagement, Community Foundation of Howard County
2026 CFHC Scholarship Recipients
ISHA ANDE
Mount Hebron High School
- Scholarship: C. Merritt Pumphrey Memorial Scholarship
- College: University of Maryland, College Park
ANTHONY BARSOUM
Marriotts Ridge High School
- Scholarships: Aaron Worley Scholarship; Jon Grove Memorial Scholarship
- College: University of Maryland, College Park
JORDAN BEMAH
Chapelgate Christian Academy
- Scholarship: Mavis Polson Lewis and William H. Lewis Scholarship
- College: Hampton University
ADDISON GREENWALD
Howard High School
- Scholarship: Christina and Lawrence Tarbell III Scholarship
- College: The Ohio State University
ALANA HARRISON
Howard High School
- Scholarship: Phyllis Utterback Scholarships
- College: Towson University
ABBOTT HARLEY
Marriotts Ridge High School
- Scholarship: Karen and Howard Carolan Scholarship
- College: University of Delaware
ELISHA LEE
Mount Hebron High School
- Scholarship: Feeman K. Hill Teen Scholarship
- College: University of Maryland, College Park
SYDNEY NANCE
Long Reach High School
- Scholarship: Mary-Kathryn Abernathy Memorial Scholarship
- College: Swarthmore College
GABRIEL PEARSON
Centennial High School
- Scholarship: Robert J. Gaw Memorial Scholarship
- College: Towson University
CLAIRE PECORA
Hammond High School
- Scholarships: John C. Clegg Scholarship; Mike Chang Sunshine Scholarship
- College: Grove City College
PEARL PRASARTKARNKA
Mount Hebron High School
- Scholarship: Kit Sfekas Memorial Scholarship Fund
- College: University of Maryland, College Park
RIYA RAI
Mount Hebron High School
- Scholarship: Allan Homes Outstanding Student Volunteer Scholarship
- College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MAKENZIE ROBINSON
Glenelg High School
- Scholarship: Karen S. Wray Nursing with Compassion and Dignity Scholarship
- College: Susquehanna University
ABIGALE ROTHROCK
Centennial High School
- Scholarship: Schnorf Family Special Olympics Volunteer Scholarship Fund
- College: American University
SARAH RIZVI
Atholton High School
- Scholarship: Tropf Family Scholarship (Atholton)
- College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
SEAN SMOLE
River Hill High School
- Scholarship: Lance Christopher Mercy Scholar-Athlete Scholarship
- College: The Ohio State University
LAUREN VIRMANI
River Hill High School
- Scholarship: Amanda Post “AmandaWins” Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County Student-Athlete Scholarship
- College: Northwestern University
MARELLA VIRMANI
River Hill High School
- Scholarship: Amanda Post “Amanda Wins” River Hill High School Student-Athlete Scholarship
- College: Northwestern University
TOMOKI WEDDINGTON
Oakland Mills High School
- Scholarship: James T. Alvey Visionary Scorpion Scholarship
- College: University of Maryland, College Park
JANELLE WILSON
Long Reach High School
- Scholarship: Tropf Family Scholarship (Long Reach)
- College: Georgia Institute of Technology
JONATHAN YE
Reservoir High School
- Scholarship: Doug Parker Scholarship
- College: Cornell University
YONATHAN YOHANNES
Wilde Lake High School
- Scholarship: Michael Joseph Deets Scholarship Fund
- College: The Ohio State University
We congratulate all of our 2026 scholarship recipients and wish them continued success as they pursue their academic and career goals.
Pictured above: Marella Virmani (right) Amanda Post “Amanda Wins” River Hill High School Student-Athlete Scholarship and Lauren Virmani (left) Amanda Post “AmandaWins” Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County Student-Athlete Scholarship
Both from River Hill High School, headed to Northwestern.
Invest in the Next Generation
CFHC works with donors who want to support education and create opportunities for students through scholarship funds. Scholarship funds can honor a loved one, carry forward a family legacy, support students pursuing a particular field, or reflect a donor’s commitment to education and opportunity.
Learn more about CFHC scholarships and how you can support local students.
Learn more about CFHC scholarships and how you can support local students.