2026 Essay Contest Winners
FIRST PLACE – Chloe Lewin
Emery/Weiner School
“Houston Strong Minds”
Chloe is a senior at The Emery/Weiner School in Houston, Texas, with interests in science, mental health advocacy, and athletics. She interned at the University of Houston Chemical and Biomolecular Research Lab, completed a dual credit engineering course through the University of Texas at Austin and studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain.
Chloe leads multiple school clubs and founded the local chapter of the Personal Effectiveness Association, a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit. She is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers with the Houston Food Bank and Blood Cancer United. Chloe competes in varsity and club volleyball and basketball, and has also competed in the five Maccabi Games, an international Olympic-style event.
She is undecided about her college plans at the moment, but she hopes to major in Biology, Health, and Society to pursue her dreams of becoming an orthodontist
SECOND PLACE – Muhammad Ibrahim Vakani
Klein High School
“How We Could Improve Houston Together”
Muhammad is a senior at Klein High School. He plans to attend the University of Houston-Downtown in the fall with a major in Computer Science.
The reason Muhammad chose computer science is that he plans to pursue a career in this field because he is curious to learn more about technology. He has wants to be a computer scientist in the future and will try to enhance and specialize in the field of Artificial Intelligence, which will serve humanity in a better way.
Not only does Muhammad love learning, but he also engages & serves his community by participating in community services, such as volunteering in the Barbara Bush Library, and local neighborhood events (Spring Creek Festival). Furthermore, he engages in clubs in his school, like Letters for Elders and the French Club & is a member of the National Honor Society, displaying the pillars of NHS, including leadership, service, scholarship, and character.
Muhammad has also received several awards reflecting his excellence in Academics and was recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program for outstanding Academic achievement and a Career and Technical Education award from Klein High School, illustrating his accomplishments in technology.
THIRD PLACE – Roger Li
Strake Jesuit Preparatory School
“The GIS Solution”
Roger is a senior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and plans to major in economics and public policy at Stanford University this fall.
He is ranked top 10 nationally in public forum debate and is the Texas chief of staff for Civic Leaders of America, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement among youth.
In the future, he hopes to advise governmental policy and dismantle the existing structures enabling educational inequality and inaccessibility today.
FOURTH PLACE – Lashane Sinclair
Manvel High School
“Building a Preventative Houston”
Lashane is a senior at Manvel High School and plans to attend the University Of Houston in the fall. He plans to major in Biomedical Engineering. He is passionate about fitness and wellness, dedicating much of his time to competitive powerlifting and strength training. This discipline extends to his interest in nutrition and staying active, which helps him stay focused and driven in his academic life.
Outside of the gym, La Shane is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and exploring nature. He also has a keen interest in thrifting and sustainable fashion, and he enjoys discovering new music or podcasts to listen to while staying busy. He plans to bring this same energy and dedication to his future college career as he works toward making a positive impact on his community.
FIFTH PLACE – Nnadubem N Diala
Stephen F. Austin High School
“Improving Animal Welfare in Houston”
Nnadubem is a senior at Stephen F. Austin High School and plans to attend the University of Houston and major in Biomedical Engineering. He has a strong passion for public service as well as biotechnology, helping children with disabilities as a junior director for the Home Run Hitters Organization. He plans on pursuing a master’s degree and working in the field of prosthetics and bioinformatics to better serve his community.
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