Sutton Trust US

Programme

Participants Admitted Early to US Universities/Scholarship Finalists

Valavan Ananthakumaraswamy – Stanford University and the University of North Carolina at

Chapel Hill (Morehead-Cain Scholarship Finalist)

Enfield, Greater London (Queen Elizabeth's School)

Valavan Ananthakumaraswamy is from Edmonton, London, UK. His family is originally from Sri Lanka, but were displaced by the civil war. Valavan sees his community service as the most important part of him. He is Chief Operating Officer of The Youth Project (TYP) – an organisation he helped found in February 2014 and now runs in eight countries. He runs the Schools Project with TYP which runs in two universities and thirty schools across the world. He plays the Mridangam, a South Indian instrument, where he has Grade 8 Distinction and holds the professional title “Miruthanga Kalajothy”. He is also a black-belt martial arts practitioner. The opportunity to study in America is

invaluable for Valavan because he is very keen on studying under a liberal arts curriculum and the opportunities in terms of extra-curricular, study abroad, community service and internship provisions are ideal for him. He is interested in studying Economics, Philosophy and Physics – a combination which he can only do in the US.

Katrina Arman – University of Pennsylvania

West Malling, South East England (Invicta Grammar School)

Katrina Arman hails from the small town of Kings Hill in rural Kent, and will be the first in her family to attend university. Her diverse background, with parents from Russia and Ukraine, means she is able to fluently speak three languages and has a passion for international study. She is the captain of her all-star cheerleading team which, in one season, has managed to become National, European and International Grand Champions. She has a great entrepreneurial spirit and runs several online businesses, as well as being finance and accounts manager of her nationally recognised Young Chamber business network, which aims to give youth a voice in the world of business. She wants

to major in Economics and has been inspired to go into investment banking after undertaking a unique work experience programme with Morgan Stanley and HSBC. She first became interested in the US when meeting a girl in Milan who was on a study abroad programme, whilst majoring in fashion at Ohio University, and was inspired by her story. Katrina is particularly excited about the liberal arts system as she wants to try out and learn many disciplines and be part of a varsity sports team.

Walid Bajjani – NYU Abu Dhabi

London (Burlington Danes Academy)

Walid Bajjani is an aspiring computer scientist with a strong interest in the economy. Born and raised in London, he will be the first in his family to attend university. Throughout his childhood and teen years he has participated in a variety of sports and extra-curricular clubs including volunteering internationally on an exclusive project in South Africa funded by the Royal Air Force. He has competed nationally in taekwondo for the past eight years and is now a corporal in the Air Training Corps. He is an active member of the schools’ student body; being Head Boy has allowed him to give back to his school community through delegation of the school council and giving public speeches to parents on open

days. Walid comes from a close-knit Moroccan/Lebanese family with a strong faith in Islam at the core of his identity. One of the reasons he is attracted to the US is the ability to combine his love for Economics without compromising a degree in Computer Science. However, he also appreciates the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects such as Philosophy and Geography before deciding on a particular major.

James Bedford – Harvard College

Torquay, South West England (Torquay Boys' Grammar School)

James Bedford is a 17-year-old IB and Nuffield Health Research Scholar who lives on a sailing boat in Devon. He is the fourth from his school to successfully be part of the Sutton Trust US Programme, following three Harvard students, and will be the first in his family to go to university. James is a prominent member of school government, the first student to join the parent government and the only tutor in his school. He is an active rock-climber, swimmer, sailor, computer programmer, swimming coach and guitarist. He became interested in the US after attending Fulbright’s USA College Day and talking to the previous Sutton Trust students from his school. With his broad range of interests -

prominently Biomedical Science and Economics - James feels the US will facilitate his wish to continue pursuing his interests and help him avoid the more niche specialisation found in the UK.

Alisha Blades – Hamilton College

Craigavon, Northern Ireland (Lismore Comprehensive School)

Alisha Blades hails from Craigavon, Northern Ireland, and currently attends Lismore Comprehensive School, where she acts as Head Girl and has been chairperson of the student council for two years, achieving everything from more affordable lunches to leading the Free Year 13 campaign. Her heart belongs to science, studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics in the hopes of one day becoming a medicinal chemist, a career path introduced to her by her placement at The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast. She serves on her local district youth council, which not only aims to represent the youth of Craigavon, but also to bring together

Catholic and Protestant youths in the area through inclusive recruitment. In her spare time, Alisha can be found teaching herself the guitar, piano and cello, or foraging for vinyls in one of Belfast's many record shops. Alisha is the first in her school to apply to university in the US and feels the US will be a great fit for her as she wishes to study not only her one true love, Chemistry, but to also dabble in the arts.

Ibrahim Butt – Duke University (Robertson Scholarship Recipient)

Blackburn, North West England (Cardinal Newman College)

Ibrahim Butt is an ambitious young man from Blackburn, Lancashire. He is a from a large working class family of ten and will be in the first generation of his family to attend university. In addition to numerous academic pursuits, his extra-curricular activities extend to founding a community organisation called 2020 Vision. Ibrahim is a firm believer in the strength and capabilities of young people and, through his organisation, hopes to engage young people in social action projects throughout Lancashire. He also sits on the board of directors of a regional youth development initiative and has had the opportunity to represent the UK on intercultural exchanges in Bosnia, Germany and Tunisia.

He has established a new Human and Political Social Science Society at his college and introduced the Model United Nations to students. Ibrahim would like to pursue a US liberal arts degree, respected globally for its strengths in a broad range of disciplines. The Sutton Trust US Programme has intensified his passion to experience education in a new cultural setting. A diligent and dedicated learner, Ibrahim believes in the power of a global education.

Georgia Carr – Swarthmore College

Oakham, East Midlands (Rutland County College)

Georgia Carr lives in a tiny town called Oakham in the smallest county in the UK and will be both the first in her family to attend university and the first from her school to study abroad. An active member of her community, she founded a mental health awareness charity to help young people in the area, and further campaigned for better youth mental health services in a national pilot scheme. Living in a rural area, opportunities are sparse, so she helps to write and edit exposés from international human rights activists through a help-from-home volunteer website. Georgia has been interested in studying in the US for many years, mainly because of the liberal arts curriculum which provides a well-

rounded education whilst maintaining a focus on a particular area. She is also looking forward to developing her love for Politics and exploring completely new academic areas.

Alejandro Carruthers-Hierro – Lafayette College

London (Chancellor's School)

Alex Carruthers-Hierro is from Barnet in North London, but is also highly proud of his Spanish heritage and bilingual abilities. He will be the first person in his family to attend a university, and the first in his school to apply to an American college. Alex has undertaken many extra-curricular activities, many of which have allowed him to become heavily involved in the immediate local community. These include completing Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the Jack Petchey Award. Alex was also Head Chorister at the St. John the Baptist Church, Barnet all-male choir, singing in cathedrals all over the UK. To add to his musical abilities, he also plays the bass in a small

group and would love to continue wherever he ends up. Alex is a highly sporty person and uses his athletic hobbies as a form of letting off some steam after a hard day’s work; football, rugby, tennis and basketball to name a few, not to mention his love for the Chicago Bears American football team. One of the reasons Alex is attracted to the US is because of the liberal arts system and the fact he can study many subjects in which he has an interest in addition to than the one he will major in.

Kirstie Clarke – University of Chicago

London (The Bridge Academy)

Kirstie Clarke has lived in Hackney, London all her life and is the first in her family to attend university, as well as the first in her school to apply to US institutions. Kirstie is very involved with her school; she enjoys working with the younger students and is a mentor in both maths and reading, and was the founder of a student-run blog for her sixth form. Her true passion lies with Mathematics and she intends to major in this at university, but she also has a profound interest in both the sciences and the arts, especially Chemistry and English Literature. The ability to pursue all of her academic interests and experience the unique US culture and lifestyle forms the core of Kirstie’s

interest in undergraduate study in the US.

Jodie Coburn – Yale University

Rotherham, Yorkshire and the Humber (Brinsworth Comprehensive School)

Jodie Coburn hails from Sheffield, South Yorkshire and is the first in her family to apply for university. Jodie is passionate about engaging younger children in education, particularly the sciences. She leads an after school "Serious About Science" club where she manages chemical reactions and interactive activities for third year students, as well as giving help on homework. Jodie is also the leader of her sixth form debate team and has debated about issues such as privacy vs national security and female genital mutilation. Not only is she an active part of her school community, she regularly volunteers in her local charity shop, where she has worked for three years. What most excites Jodie about

university in the US is the interdisciplinary nature of it - a keen lover of science, she does not want to focus on one area, but branch out and receive a broad but thorough education. Jodie is the first in her school to apply to American universities, but has very supportive family and friends who are just as excited as her about the prospect.

Alex Cox – Princeton University

Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth School)

Alex Cox lives with his mother in the seaside town of Bournemouth. While his main academic interests are in Maths and Engineering, he is a very keen musician, having played in a number of classical and jazz bands in venues across the south on both the piano and clarinet – at which he is Grade 8 standard. Combined with this is a love for creative writing and debating, and last year he won the JR Smith Writing prize at his school – the first Year 11 ever to do so. These varied passions drove Alex to apply to the US, where he will be able to study these interests alongside the major of his choice. What inspires him to keep up this large number of extra-curricular activities is a love of

learning and education in general – he volunteers at a local primary school teaching Maths and is a sergeant in his school’s Cadet Force, where he instructs younger children. For Alex, there is no better place to combine a broad academic programme and public service than the US. He was introduced to the Sutton Trust US Programme through his school, which last year sent a student to America.

Phoebe Cribb – Bryn Mawr College

Chorley, North West England (Cardinal Newman College)

Phoebe Cribb is a Lancashire-born determined individual who is the first in her family to apply to US institutions. As an active member of the wider community, Phoebe is passionate about raising awareness of autism and climate change, which has resulted in her running two 10ks and two half marathons – raising over £4,700 in the process. Her compassion for others is demonstrated through her commitment to being a youth volunteer for the Archdiocese of Liverpool Lourdes Pilgrimage, a student mentor, a volunteer at an arts club for disabled children, a young carer for her autistic sister and a student ambassador for CAFOD. One of the reasons she is attracted to the US is the ability to

‘customize’ her degree through a liberal arts education whilst being immersed in a completely new culture. She is excited at the prospect of studying Psychology, International Relations and Art, and experiencing an education that caters to all of her academic and extra-curricular passions.

Jack Dunn – Dartmouth College

Stranraer, Scotland (Stranraer Academy)

Jack Dunn was born in England, but has resided in Stranraer, south-west Scotland, since the age of five. He is a triplet, with two sisters, and will be the first in his family to attend university and the first from his school to apply for US undergraduate study. Jack is an enthusiastic and avid percussionist with his local brass band, and has even played with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He loves to work with kids, through helping his local junior wind band and running his school's science club, where he shares his interest and passion for science. At university, Jack wishes to study the sciences and Maths, with other interests in Music and Politics. Jack does a lot of work in his

community through youth volunteering ambassador work and his local food train charity. Although Jack's interest in US study only started with the Sutton Trust US programme, the ability to study outside of a chosen major or to double major, the vast opportunities and support offered by American universities has captured his interest and has given him the feeling that the US is the right fit for him.

Sarah Edwards – Middlebury College

Cleckheaton, Yorkshire and the Humber (Greenhead College)

Sarah Edwards is from a village in West Yorkshire. In her spare time, she pursues her creative passion for photography and film making, and has recently been making promotional videos for the Bradford Community Environment Project. Sarah is also a dedicated member of the Amnesty International Youth Group at her sixth form college, in which she campaigned for Afghan women’s rights, and she has taken part in musical theatre and tennis for most of her life. At her high school, Sarah was Head Girl, captain of the netball and rounders’ teams, and an enthusiastic lance corporal in the Combined Cadet Force, which involved lots of adrenaline filled activities, plus the role of teaching younger

cadets her skills. She is very excited about the prospect of studying in the US as she has many different interests, including Geography, Literature, Art and French, and the liberal arts curriculum will give her the freedom to explore all of these.

Alice Findlay – Harvard College

Northampton, East Midlands (Northampton School for Girls)

Alice Findlay comes from Northampton, is one of seven children, and is the first in her family and school to apply to universities in the US. Alice thoroughly enjoys helping younger people and believes strongly in giving something back; she is therefore proud to be an active member of her school community, taking on roles as a vice president, head of school council, biology subject officer, maths leader, and as a tutor and peer mentor. Alice relishes the opportunity to undertake roles of leadership and has initiated a tutoring system and founded a student-run science homework club within her school. Additionally, Alice is a member of five music groups both inside and out of school, and in particular

has a love for singing, being a member of three different choirs and an a cappella ensemble. Alice enjoys spending her holidays helping her local community by volunteering at a care home and a homeless shelter, and by working as a young leader at youth activity camps. One thing that attracted Alice to studying in the US is the freedom to choose your own classes, and the possibility to double major, allowing her to combine her interests in Biology and Music.

Samuel Fox – Dartmouth College

Cowdenbeath, Scotland (Beath High School)

Samuel Fox is an ambitious and driven student from a small town in Scotland called Cowdenbeath and will be the first in his family to attend university. At school, Sam has achieved the title of Head Boy and is dedicated to improving the percentage of school leavers with positive destinations as he believes that education is the gateway to a better quality of life. Sam sees his position of leadership at school as an opportunity to be a positive role model to the younger students who doubt their abilities because of where they come from. Sam is also founder of Scotland’s first – and only – student-led product design company, Infinity Design, whose profits feed straight into the improvement of

his school’s Design and Technology faculty. As a keen fundraiser, Sam has recently abseiled down the Forth Rail Bridge for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Sam would like to continue raising money, especially for charities that have helped those close to him, and he hopes to continue his charitable work in the US, whether it be through community initiatives or even national projects.

Benjamin Hopkins – Bowdoin College

Stafford, West Midlands (Wolgarston High School)

Ben Hopkins has lived in Staffordshire all his life, and will be the first in his family to attend university. His passion for international travel was sparked by a French exchange in high school, and further encouraged by an expedition in Italy as part of his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Ben enjoys sailing and regularly races at his local club, as well as teaching beginners the basics of the sport. He further contributes to his community as a Young Leader in the Scout Association. Tutoring a GCSE Maths class and leading his school’s Maths Challenge Team demonstrates his passion for the subject, however Ben is excited by the flexible US system and aims to make use of the variety of

courses on offer in order to broaden his university experience.

Emma Humphries – Smith College

Widnes, North West England (Cronton Sixth Form College)

Emma Humphries is a committed, enthusiastic student from Widnes, Cheshire. She is the first from her family to pursue higher education and the first from her school to apply to the US. A keen martial artist, Emma is currently a blue stripe belt in Kuk Sool Won (a Korean martial art) and is a five-time gold medallist, ranking 1st in national competitions in Liverpool and Edinburgh. Alongside this she is a member of Cronton Sixth Form College's Centre of Excellence for Performing Arts and has starred in their productions of Dracula: The Musical and Chess. Amongst many other things, Emma is most looking forward to the intellectual freedom and flexibility that the US offers, as well as gaining a

greater sense of independence and immersing herself in a different, more diverse culture.

Connor Keys – Vanderbilt University

Kesh, Northern Ireland (Portora Royal School)

Connor Keys, from Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, is the first person to apply to US universities in his family. Loving everything sports related, Connor's days are packed with activity. He rows for his school's boat club and was a member of the J18 8+ which won the Championship of Ireland for the school in 2014 for the first time in 34 years, which he retained the following year. He is vice-captain of the school's 1st XV rugby team and has spent a summer training four days a week with the Ulster U19 squad a year early. He also captained his local football team for four years and was selected to train as part of a Northern Ireland Excellence Squad. Connor is still undecided as to what he wants to do

in the future and has many interests ranging from Maths and Physics to Art and Drama. The freedom as to what can be studied at American universities and the ability to apply to a university rather than a course were massive selling points for him. The extra-curricular opportunities available at US institutions were also very appealing and Connor cannot wait to get involved with as many activities on campus as possible.

Alexander Laiman – MIT

Harverfordwest, Wales (Ysgol Dewi Sant)

An introspective techie with a devotion to the arts and sciences, Alexander Laiman has resided in rural South West Wales for the past seven years. Eager to break out of this bubble, he is the first from his family and community to apply to US colleges, which is driven by the extensive diversity and opportunity available in US institutions. He is the Senior Prefect in his school and not only acts as a peer mentor and tutor but also works with a team to improve the local community and prospects for less urbanized students. Outside of the classroom he can either be found working on his dunk at the local basketball club, of which he was a founder, playing along to old-school metal riffs on his guitar, or

tinkering with electronics at home. He hopes to study Physics alongside Engineering at university while maintaining a broad education and feels the US is the perfect place for this liberal education. Inspired by the prospect of fantastic internships, amazing resources and some of the best tuition in the world, he strives to broaden his horizons and make the most of the opportunity given to him.

Nathan Lewis – Duke University

London (Saint Olave's Grammar School)

Nathan Blaise Lewis comes from Plumstead in South East London and attends Saint Olave's Grammar School. He has many leadership roles within school being one of four House Captains, the vice-chairman of the Sixth Form Association, a Sports Prefect and a Year 10 Form Prefect. He is very sporty and is part of the 1st XV rugby team, the basketball team captain and he represents the school playing Eton Fives and football. Nathan has Afro-Caribbean and British heritage, with paternal grandparents hailing from Jamaica and his mother's family being from Greenwich. He is an aspirational engineer hoping to major in Electrical Engineering and has tried to fuel this interest by

completing work experience on the Crossrail project with the traction power team and is the lead designer in his robotics team where he recently became a Vex Robotics national finalist and qualified for the World Championships in Kentucky.

Alexander Mackie – Trinity College

Headcorn, South East England (Maidstone Grammar School)

Alex Mackie was born and raised in the small Kentish village of Headcorn. He will be the first person in his family to go to university and cannot wait to start this new and exciting chapter of his life. Alex is an avid boxer who trains regularly and also likes to give back by coaching the sport at both his local club as well as the school club which he helps to run. Alex has a passion for language and debate taking part in Model United Nations and his school's debating society, of which he is an active member. He is fascinated by both the subjects of Philosophy and History, and the ability to combine these two loves into one course is a key factor that draws him to the US system of study.

Luke Mansfield – Rhodes College

Nottingham, East Midlands (The Nottingham Emmanuel School)

Luke Mansfield is from Nottingham in the East Midlands. He is a first generation university student who was the first in his school to apply to US institutions. Luke is an active member in his local community: he regularly participates in volunteering work at his local charity shop and leads children’s groups at his local church. Often, Luke has used his passions to benefit those within his community. For example, he’s created a Spanish Young Leaders group for Year 7s to improve their Spanish skills while increasing their confidence and ability to lead others in the process. After being amazed by the opportunities that the academic freedom of the American liberal arts education offers, Luke

has been excited about the possibility of living in a different country and exploring a different culture. At university, Luke currently hopes to study Spanish, and make use of the fantastic study abroad options available, as well as learning about new subjects to broaden his academic knowledge. Trying out new extracurricular activities in the US such as helping to run a campus radio station is something Luke is very much looking forward to taking part in.

Awnit Singh Marta – Harvard College

London (Greenford High School)

Awnit Singh Marta is a west Londoner who is not only the first in his family to apply to the USA, but is also the first in the family to attend university. Native to Afghanistan, Awnit used to live in the Netherlands and immigrated to the UK with his parents and three brothers nine years ago. Awnit loves to embark on interdisciplinary activities: the deputy head of his school’s student voice body; the electrician and driver of the school’s go-kart team; and founder of a Punjabi folk dance club for juniors. He was also selected by the Royal Astronomical Society to attend the European Southern Observatory Astronomy Camp in Italy last year. Awnit wishes to pursue education in the US because he believes that

it does not limit his paths in life. He looks forward to the immense diversity of the students, both culturally and academically, as well as the student-led organisations.

Maria McAveety – Skidmore College

Glasgow, Scotland (Our Lady's High School Cumbernauld)

Maria McAveety is from Glasgow, Scotland and attends Our Lady's High School in Cumbernauld. She was the first in her immediate family to achieve a Higher qualification or equivalent and will be the first to attend university. She is proactive in her community through being a leader at the local Scout group, helping at a club for disabled children and delivering baked goods in her village. Maria carried out work experience in the Scottish Parliament and her main interests are in the social subjects. Howeverm she also loves music and does street performance in her spare time. US study appeals to Maria as through the liberal arts curriculum she would be able to study a variety of subjects,

something which appeals to her due to her range of interests. The ability to apply without deciding a degree subject also was a factor in her decision to study in the US as she is uncertain of which she wants to major in.

Jack McGeehan – Claremont McKenna College

Derry, Northern Ireland (St Columb's College)

Jack McGeehan hails from Derry, Northern Ireland and is fuelled by ambition. The first of his family to go to the US, he never had much hope of study outside of Ireland before this programme. Still deliberating between a career in law, politics, physics or economics, and harbouring passions for many other areas of study, the liberal arts system suits him perfectly. Jack is extremely proud of his Irish heritage and, although he is currently preparing to take his Grade 5 exam in electric guitar, he also plays traditional Irish guitar. However, Jack wants more and sees the US as the first step into a career where he can make his mark, where he can make a change, where he can do something great. His

ambition continues into his sporting life where he captains his extremely successful local Gaelic football club and also plays rugby with City of Derry Rugby Club.

Joe McGrath – Princeton University

Doncaster, Yorkshire and the Humber (The McAuley Catholic High School)

Joe McGrath, an 18-year-old school student from Doncaster, will be of the first generation in his family to attend higher education and the first to study abroad. Joe, who grew up in a mining village with two older sisters, is looking to constantly better himself in all aspects of his life. A dedicated athlete who has taken part in various sports since the age of six, Joe has developed his sprinting skills over the years to a point at which he came 3rd in the 100m at two national championships in 2014. Joe is able to balance his track and his academic life successfully: he has been able to attain top A-level and GCSE grades whilst still being able to make national finals for his age group. He also

volunteers weekly to mentor Year 8s with their Maths due to his previous struggles in the subject. Joe believes that an education in the US will help to develop his sprinting capabilities to a point where he could perhaps compete for his country and also provide him with a vast amount of job opportunities in the academic topics he is most interested in: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Economics.

Kevin Mokhtar – NYU Abu Dhabi

London (Bishop Thomas Grant School)

Kevin Mokhtar from Streatham, London is an advocate for studying beyond national boundaries. His devotion to study in the US has been driven by his curious and adventurous character, which motivates him to explore the changing world around him. As a Young Darwin Scholar, Kevin wants to extend his passion for the environment through pursuing a major in Geography. Kevin will be first in his family to attend university, and he is already planning to form his own travel society and take part in the student leadership body. He believes that studying in the US will provide him with a fun and insightful adventure to meet new people and discover a whole different world that enhances a

student’s academic and social life experience.

Danukshi Mudannayake – Harvard College

Ilford, Greater London (Woodford County High School)

Danu Mudannayake, from Ilford, Essex is in the first generation in her family to attend university and to explore the opportunities presented by American colleges. Having first encountered the Sutton Trust US Programme at the Fulbright USA College Day in 2014, Danu was eager to discover more information about the prospect of US higher education. Danu enjoys partaking in a multitude of activities when she isn’t at school or tutoring young children in English and Maths. From leading the Political Art Club she founded at school, and developing her musical skills in a number of school ensembles, Danu relishes chances to express her creativity, allowing her to attain the Silver

Treble Clef award for musical dedication. Public speaking has also been of interest to Danu, engaging in tournaments such as the North London Model United Nations and Rotary Public Speaking Competition. Her wide range of academic interests, ranging from Art to Maths and History to French, have made the US seem like the ideal destination for her to continue her studies in a liberal arts setting, combining the subjects she adores and exploring new avenues of thought.

Owen Ogden – Yale University

Wigton, North West England (The Nelson Thomlinson School)

Owen Ogden is originally from Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire, but spent a large part of his childhood living on the Isle of Man before moving to Cumbria, England. He and his two elder sisters are the first generation in their family to attend university. Owen is a keen footballer and played successfully at club level for several years as well as representing the Isle of Man U13s at county level. A passionate historian, Owen thoroughly enjoys assisting with History lessons for younger pupils in school. Additionally, he co-founded and chairs the school debating society and is involved in one-to-one literacy support. Owen’s interest in the US started three years ago when he began to look at all the

options available to him and he realised that a US education would allow him to combine his interests of History, Politics and Physics. He is looking forward to joining a university soccer team as well as having the opportunity to experience US culture.

Kerry O'Neil – University of Pennsylvania

Glasgow, Scotland (Notre Dame High School)

Kerry O'Neil lives in Glasgow and attends Notre Dame High School. She is the first person in her school to apply to US institutions and will be the first in her family to go to university. A music lover, Kerry is part of the Glasgow Schools Symphony Orchestra where she plays the cello and often performs in her community and in public as a singer/songwriter. She enjoys learning about other cultures and languages and passes on this knowledge by teaching an Italian class weekly to younger pupils in her school. Kerry is active in her school's pupil council and has been responsible for representing her house group for four years. Kerry is proud of volunteering at her church and in her

community with her talent for music and leads the singing in her church on a weekly basis. She is extremely interested in studying in the US as she wants to pursue a double major in Politics and Italian but is also looking forward to being able to pursue her other interests by taking a variety of different classes.

Robyn Pattison – Skidmore College

Rosyth, Scotland (Dunfermline High School)

Robyn Pattison is a dedicated student from Rosyth, Scotland. She loves debating and has recently competed in the European Youth Parliament National Finals. She is also a House Captain and a committed house council member, and has recently put forward a motion to have more prefect duties. She loves the arts and organises projects as a Fife Youth Arts Director and will be putting on a gallery featuring high school students’ work. Robyn wants to study Psychology in the US but is looking forward to the liberal arts curriculum’s flexibility so she can pursue all her passions. She is also in the first generation of her family to attend university.

Roshaye Poleon – Northwestern University

London (Ursuline High School, Wimbledon)

Roshaye Poleon is the eldest of three children and is often considered the bookworm of the family. She will be the first in her family to attend university and the first in her school to apply to US institutions, which is a big achievement for her. She’s generally quite sporty and used to take part in a lot of sports clubs after school including netball, athletics, basketball and even trained to be a Wimbledon Ball Girl. With a younger sister with a rare genetic disability, she enjoys spending her free time volunteering at specialist schools as she is able to use the skills she has learnt working with her sister at home, to help other children. This year she has chosen to continue her volunteer work at a care

home for people with dementia. She has always admired the sense of school pride that students show at US institutions and believes that really adds to the undergraduate experience. She hopes to major in Neuroscience, a course that is only offered by a small number of UK universities as a standalone

Carol Rossell – Tufts University

Bognor Regis, South East England (Felpham Community College)

Carol Rossell is an ambitious young woman from the small town of Bognor Regis on the south coast, notable for the seaside resort of Butlins where she also works as a lifeguard. In the neighbouring village, Carol heavily participates in her school's community. An integral member of the School Council, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Mock General Election and the co-founder of the Rights Respecting Schools ambassador group, she also mentors younger students in the sciences and Maths and runs the school's science club. From a single parent background, Carol will be the first in her immediate family to attend university. After reading an article about the increased financial

support offered by US universities, she noticed a poster in her sixth form common room advertising the Sutton Trust US Programme. This opened her eyes to the ability to tailor her education towards her scientific passions of Biology and Chemistry, whilst still being able to engage in other subjects. She is also looking forward to joining a women's rugby team on campus, having palyed the sport briefly at county level.

Katie Russell – Northwestern University

Glasgow, Scotland (St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School)

Katie Russell was raised by her single mother in Glasgow, Scotland and will be the first in her family to attend university. She is extremely involved in her school community as a school captain and also with her school Drama club, being involved with several school productions. Her work as captain has allowed her to connect with younger pupils and help forge a strong sense of community within the school. Katie is also a member of a group of young Glasgow filmmakers, with her involvement leading to her creating over five short films, one of which was screened at a local film festival. She began to be interested in US study after discovering the Sutton Trust US Programme and

learning that it would enable her to combine both her passion: Biology and Film Studies. She is looking forward to experiencing the strong sense of school pride and community that the US has to offer.

Ahlbie Squire – Pomona College

Lostwithiel, South West England (Bodmin College)

Ahlbie Squire is from Cornwall, UK, and will be not only the first in his family to attend university, but also the first in his school to apply to US universities. He is actively involved in a peer mentoring scheme that helps to improve the lives of younger pupils at his school. Up until a year ago, Ahlbie was home-schooled, which meant he had to self-study for most of his GCSEs, and this helped him discover his interest in Science. Ahlbie is intrigued by the idea of a US college education, which he thinks is much more rounded and allows individuals to look into their field(s) further such as through undergraduate research. Currently a keen sailor, hiker and cyclist, but also proficient in Spanish from self-study at

AS-level, he is hoping he can share his passions with a college community.

Charles Stewart – Brown University

Purley, Greater London (Wilson's School)

A hopeful escapee from Croydon, South London, Charlie Stewart has been in love with illustration and animation ever since he was rejected by the Year 1 football team. He delivered a presentation at a competition in the Saatchi Gallery in London about the 1982 short animated film Vincent, was awarded second place by the editor of Tate Etc., and was asked to speak again this year. He also loves Drama, and played Macbeth in his school's last Christmas production. He is an active member of his community, having been chosen as a member of the Croydon Youth Board, as a mentor for the National Citizen Service, as deputy Head Boy of his school, and as the editor of the school

magazine. It is the opportunities that US universities provide for him to continue these interests alongside his academics that attracted him to an undergraduate degree in the States. He would like to study English Literature, and is looking forward to drawing cartoons for any and all campus papers that will have him.

Jack Tait – Princeton University

London (Highams Park School)

Jack Tait is from Chingford, East London and is an outgoing, confident young man. He is in the first generation of his family to attend university and will be the first person in his school to apply to US universities. Ever since the 2010 general election, Jack has been in love with politics and this summer completed two weeks of work experience in David Cameron's office (meeting the Prime Minister at Downing Street) as well as spending a week at a political think-tank. Closer to home, he was appointed Head Boy at his school, is a fully qualified football referee with the London FA and also regularly represents his school in debating competitions, winning the South East round of the International

Competition for Young Debaters and finishing inside the top 30 at the international final. Jack and his family are a very close-knit group, especially after Jack's mother fell seriously ill and he became her main carer for nearly two years. The main reason Jack wants to study in the US is the increased chance it gives students to practice all of their interests and hobbies alongside their studies. He would like to study Political Science, with the possibility of a double major or a minor involving Economics as well as Politics.

Bethany Tallis – University of Rochester

Gourock, Scotland (Clydeview Academy)

Beth Tallis lives on the west coast of Scotland in a small town, but was born and raised for several years in Coventry. She is the first in her school to apply to the US and will be a first generation university student. Beth's passion for helping others led her to volunteering for St Andrews First Aid, whilst her love for music means she is the first flute in her county's orchestra. Beth wishes to study Biology and Geography at university and hopes to double major. She is also keen to get involved with community life and continue volunteering at university.

Sam Weaver – University of Richmond

Harwich, East of England (Colchester Royal Grammar School)

Sam Weaver, a native of Essex, has spent his life living in small coastal towns such as Harwich and Clacton-on-Sea. He will be the first in his family to go on to university after finishing school; his dreams lie in the US because of the liberal arts education, which would allow him to explore different areas of learning and to acquire a breadth of new skills and knowledge. Sam is a keen football player, currently in his ninth season at Little Oakley Football Club – he was recently awarded a ‘Long Service Award’ by the district league. A highly involved member of his school, Sam is both a school prefect and a house prefect; acting as a peer mentor to younger students at the school whilst

organising and competing in competitions for his house. His extra-curricular activities within the school range from mentoring French to struggling GCSE students to representing the school in football, rugby and athletics. Sam looks forward to studying in America so that he may embrace a new culture whilst sharing his own with others.

Rishara Weerakoon – Vanderbilt University

London (St Dominic's Sixth Form College)

Rishara Weerakoon attended St. Dominic's Sixth Form College in Harrow-on-the-Hill where she studied Maths, Further Maths, Geography, and Physics. Whilst still pursuing Physics, Rishara would love to explore her other interests such as Human Geography, Economics, Drama, and English Literature. She was born in a very small town called Stade near Hamburg in Germany, and moved to London when she was six years old. Both of her parents are from small villages in Sri Lanka, and Rishara has been raised in a Buddhist home. Change has been a big part of Rishara’s live, having moved country at such a young age, as well as moving home and school within London three times.

Rishara now embraces the challenges that arise with change as they have moulded her into who she is today.

Rebecca Wiggins – Pomona College

Hornchurch, Greater London (Havering Sixth Form College)

Rebecca Wiggins lives in Romford, East London and she will be the first in her family to attend university. She first became interested in US higher education after discussing it with her American pen pal. Having a wide range of academic interests, she feels like she is more suited to a liberal arts curriculum than the single subject system in the UK. She is very passionate about foreign languages and cultures, currently studying German in school and teaching herself Japanese in her free time. After spending a month trekking and volunteering in southern Peru, she wants to continue to broaden her horizons and see the world. She plans to major in either Computer Science or Physics

while continuing to study modern foreign languages. She also wants to take advantage of all the extra-curricular activities offered by US universities.

Conor Wilson – Princeton University

Downpatrick, Northern Ireland (St Patrick's Grammar School)

Conor Wilson is from County Down, Northern Ireland and is keenly interested in both Biotechnology and Linguistics - it was this unusual combination of interests which initially drew him to the more flexible American system. He was also attracted by the number of opportunities for community engagement at US colleges, given his position as the current and founding president of his high school's St Vincent de Paul Society conference which fundraises thousands pf pounds annually for the disadvantaged in the local community and his involvement with Saphara, a charity which seeks to empower young people in India through education. This year he was a national finalist in the All Ireland

Linguistics Olympiad, placing him among the top 500 young linguists in the Anglosphere, and obtained commendation for his performance. He is considering studying some variation of biochemistry or linguistics, being the first in his school for many years to pursue US study. A member of a vast extended Irish and Scottish family, he will be the first in his immediate family to attend university.