Announcing the 101 Scholars Program Winners for 2025

Every year, Class 101 awards scholarships to four high school students through the 101 Scholars program. Given to students of outstanding merit, it asks students to explain how they’ve used their skills and talents to change their community and the lessons they’ve learned from these experiences.

This year, Class 101 is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 academic year: Makaela of Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, Kaitlyn of Madisonville, Kentucky, Mallory of Winchester, Kentucky, and Zara of Port St. Lucie, Florida. 

Each of these students are inspiring and exemplify the best of their respective communities. Class 101 congratulates their achievements. They will each receive $3,000 for their college journey. Information on each student can be found below.

Makaela of Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

“Public speaking is my superpower and I have used my voice as a tool for change within my community,” says Makaela. “Change starts with one voice.”

In her Los Angeles area community, she’s been a consistent advocate for youth policies and spoken in favor of policies to address homelessness and aid student empowerment. She has spoken to high-level government officials, such as Los Angeles Mayors Eric Garcetti and Karen Bass, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Senator Dianne Feinstein. 

She has also built connections through organizations like the Los Angeles Youth Council and her school’s Black Student Union. Much of her work is devoted to making students of color feel seen and heard.

Class 101 Owner Ronda Swanigan of Irving and Atlanta Northwest offered her own reflections. “Makaela is amazing. She is a go-getter, a change agent. She’s always seen how she can make her community better and also be the voice for the voiceless. She is going to be doing big things in the future, so remember her name.” 

Kaitlyn of Madisonville, Kentucky

Kaitlyn is a high-achieving student from Western Kentucky. She is active in her school’s honor society, student council, Spanish club, pep club, and athletics, but that’s not her most prominent achievement.

“True learning is about curiosity, exploration, and discovery,” she wrote in her application essay. “This belief led me to create a science camp for young children.”

Since her sophomore year in high school, Kaityln has operated a science camp for students in kindergarten through third grade. The camp introduces children to the different aspects of science, showing them how it can be “fun, hands-on, and educational”. 

Each year, Kaityln had to learn to organize lesson plans, gather material, and keep children engaged. Despite these challenges, she knew her work was important when she saw children become enthusiastic about learning science.

“When she saw the initial response [to the summer camp], it was really exciting and gratifying and it’s grown each year,” said Class 101 Co-Owner Sarah Lutz of Western Kentucky about Kaitlyn. “She hopes to continue coming home each summer because her camp has become so popular.”

Mallory of Winchester, Kentucky

“In 2021, after collapsing during a volleyball game, I was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart disease. Sports, caffeine, and roller coasters are no longer in my future, but instead of letting this diagnosis define me, I turned it into an opportunity to create change,” says Mallory.

The result was a new initiative called “Be Smart, Know Your Heart”, where Mallory advocates for heart health. She has testified at the Kentucky State Capitol and helped push for the passage of multiple bills. She’s even taught CPR to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on state television and hosted a golf championship for charity, raising over $10,000 for the American Heart Association.

For these and other achievements, Mallory won the Finn Coler Youth Service Award and the Grassroots Advocate of the Year by the American Heart Association. She was recently selected as the Chair of the American Heart Association’s National Youth Leadership Council, a position that lets her combine her leadership capabilities and organizational skills.

“It takes immense passion and dedication to enact change. I’m still learning and growing but I’m so excited to have the opportunity to expand the work I hold so near and dear to my heart.”

In the words of Class 101 Lexington Co-Owner Betsy Filchak, Mallory is a tremendous student. “She reinforces my belief that you should surround yourself with people who lift you higher. She wasn’t stopped by her diagnosis but used it as an opportunity to change other people’s lives.”

Zara of Port St. Lucie, Florida

Zara is a student leader, serving as chairperson of the Youth Leadership of Saint Lucie, a youth coalition that advocates for substance youth prevention, mental health advocacy, and environmental and community improvement. Her particular passion is student mental health and the shortage of counselors to support students in need. 

“A pinnacle moment was my trip to Tallahassee in the spring of 2023 with state representative Data Trabulsy to meet with members of the Senate and House of Representatives,” she wrote in her application essay. “I was able to have a discussion with the members of the Florida judicial

branch and advocate for the improvement of mental health resources. I lead brainstorming sessions on how new bills can be placed before Congress aimed to address this issue.”

Zara has been committed to improving mental health resources and support systems. She has attended workshops and seminars to improve her skills, hosted panel discussions with school officials and administrators, and spearheaded a mentorship program with the local high school to help students develop and grow.

Class 101 Treasure Coast Co-Owner Mike O’Leary offered his praise of Zara and her accomplishments. “She’s one of those students that really makes a college advisor’s heart sing. I couldn’t keep up with her. I was very happy to have helped Zara along her journey.” 

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Once again, Class 101 congratulates this year’s winners of the 101 Scholarship program. Their success is a testament to their abilities and the contributions they’ve made to their communities. We are excited to be a small part of their journey to college and beyond.

To learn more about the 101 Scholar program, visit our webpage here. The next application period of the 101 Scholarship will open in Winter of 2026.