11712 Jefferson Avenue, Ste. C-154 Newport News, VA 23606 (757) 864-1021 bijan.fazal@nasa.gov September 29, 2024 Ref: Letter of Recommendation for Areeba Basaria To Whom It May Concern: My name is Bijan Fazal and I am an Aerospace Engineer at NASA’s Langley Research Center. My current role entails aerospace vehicle design and mission analysis. My current focus is to employ systems engineering in the conceptual design of subsonic transport aircraft with novel, sustainable technologies for 2040 entry-into-service. After three research publications, my goal is to adopt digital engineering tools and methods for multi-disciplinary aircraft design, flight test and airworthiness certification. I have known Areeba since she was in elementary school, and her family for several years. We belong to the same community, and we often meet during congregational prayers and programs. In my previous voluntary role as an appointed leader of the Ismaili Muslim congregation in Norcross, I had aimed to foster relationships with all the members, especially, the youth to whom I provided career guidance and life advice. As in every faith, service for the weak, the poor and the elderly is an ethic of Islam. Service to the family, the community we live in, and the humanity at large is our shared tradition. In that very spirit, Areeba has served as a youth volunteer for several years and has been a team lead for two of those years. Areeba has performed her assigned duties with dedication and she has demonstrated the selfless volunteer tradition while being an example to the other younger volunteers. Areeba has the admiration and the support of her community for her service. Areeba has also shown leadership and participation in shared group activities. She took the caring initiative to lend a hand in the preparation of activities and in creating a learning environment for special needs’ students in our community. Areeba did not stop here. She took time and training to impart faith-based education to Grade 5 students in our community school system. Sharing knowledge and caring for the less abled is another ethic of Islam and humanity. Areeba has a deep sense for civic engagement and community building around her. For this cause, she has helped with donation drives and developed marketing campaigns to raise awareness of outreach events, as well as events celebrating the diversity within her own community. Furthermore, Areeba took on the responsibility of a counselor at Camp Mosaic, a camp for middle schoolers, with a purpose of instilling a sense of confidence in ethical living, the spirit of collaboration to achieve life’s common goals and the pursuit of academic excellence in balance of spirituality. Areeba espouses these values and has been able to mentor these young minds in the above, which she has experienced and practices in her own life’s journey. It is through hard work and determination that she has qualified herself to pursue higher education accompanied by her constant pursuit of learning opportunities which led to her nomination to the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for Art and Biology, and in showcasing her research at science fairs. I have observed that Areeba carries avid interests in math, science, and technology. I also know that she believes that further study of these subjects and their applications can lead to advancements for the betterment of humankind – I am certain she will get her chance to prove it. I recommend Areeba for an opportunity to receive a scholarship from the Georgia Engineering Foundation, and I firmly believe that you will give a fair and positive consideration in your selection process for her achievements, but more importantly to what she wants to achieve and the achievements that she will enable in others. Areeba will surely multiply your support in the future by way of mentorship and as a champion for others following in her footsteps in the engineering field. Sincerely, Bijan Fazal
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to support Kayleigh Murillo's scholarship application. I met Kayleigh in July 2024 when she enrolled in my Learning for Success at the University service-learning course. Kayleigh was in this class as a member of the Thrive at Georgia cohort. Thrive is a 4-week program for new first-year students who want to start college early. They live on campus and take two classes during the month of July. The program gives the students a head start, and the students who join this program tend to be academically driven. Kayleigh was no exception. She did not miss a single class session, and she earned 100% in the class. Two of the first pieces of information I learned about Kayleigh were her intention to major in Electrical Engineering (though she was also interested in biological engineering) and her hobby of cable management. Throughout the short term, Kayleigh frequently talked about her excitement to begin taking engineering classes. Though Kayleigh is incredibly artistic and does a lot of sketching during her study breaks, she's STEM oriented. Learning for Success focuses on helping students develop behaviors that will support their academics throughout college. Self-regulation, motivation, time management, and metacognitive learning strategies are some of the topics we cover. Compared to Kayleigh's peers, she was advanced in these subjects. For example, when we discussed time management, I learned that Kayleigh keeps both a digital calendar and a paper planner. When we talked about self-regulation, I found Kayleigh to be self-aware; she knew which strategies work for her and which do not, and she was aware that if she does not put away her phone, it will distract her, so she puts it out of reach when she sits down to study. Kayleigh is one of the hardest working first-year students I've met. With her level of creativity and her interest in electrical engineering, Kayleigh is likely to bring innovative ideas to the engineering field. Your scholarship would help her along the way. So, please do consider Kayleigh Murillo's scholarship application. Thank you. Sincerely, Holly Fling, PhD Lecturer and Academic Coach hfling@uga.edu
To whom it may concern, Adam Young is without question, one of the most motivated students I have had the pleasure of teaching in my twenty-eight year career. I had the honor of being Adam’s band director from the time he was in eighth grade through his current senior year. During this time, it was a privilege to watch him develop into an outstanding musician. Putting his talent and dedication to work, Adam has successfully auditioned for the Georgia Music Educators Association All-District every year of high school, often winning the principal chair. Within our program at Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Adam has performed with our Wind Symphony, Big Band, Jazz Combo, multiple Chamber Ensembles, and is a member of the Tri-M National Music Honor Society. He composed music that was performed by our band and has released several albums on streaming services. Adam’s musical contributions were a contributing factor in our Wind Symphony being selected to perform at the world renowned Carnegie Hall last spring. Outside of music, Adam had enjoyed many other accomplishments. He was elected to house leadership, served our school and community through his membership in Delta Omega, and was a co-founder of the Forum, a club that allows members to present topics they are passionate about followed by a question and answer session, helping with public speaking and impromptu skills. Adam is an outstanding young man of upstanding moral character and integrity. He possesses natural leadership qualities, and does whatever it takes to get the job done, and done well. His passion and drive make him an ideal student who will bring honor and excellence wherever he goes. Please let me know if you have any further questions or need any additional information concerning Adam’s qualifications. It is with my highest commendation that I recommend Adam Young for the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. In Christ, Leonard Insalaca Director of Fine Arts Linsalaca@holyspiritprep.org
To whom it may concern, I am writing to highly recommend Will Nelson as an outstanding candidate for the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship program. I had the privilege of teaching Will in his freshman and sophomore year in Honors and AP Biology, and his exceptional qualities have left a lasting impression on me. Throughout his time in my course, Will consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, perseverance, and dedication to his studies. His commitment to academic excellence was evident in his performance, as he consistently placed among the top students in our class. Moreover, he eagerly embraced the most rigorous course load available to him, showcasing both his intellectual curiosity and his desire to challenge himself academically. Beyond his academic achievements, Will exhibited remarkable leadership qualities both inside and outside the classroom. As captain of the football team and baseball team, he effectively led his peers with integrity, determination, and sportsmanship. Will is a member of numerous service and honors clubs at SEBHS and has put in countless hours of community service helping to provide meaningful opportunities to the youth of our community. Additionally, Will's kindness and inclusivity were evident in his interactions with his classmates and peers. He went above and beyond to foster a culture of inclusion and acceptance within our school community. This is a service of leading by example that is critically needed in today's society. One particular example of Will's compassion, advocacy, and service through leadership stands out to me. My husband works with students with disabilities and one of them in particular always looked up to Will and his peers. Will always says hello to this student, invites him to sit with his group and lunch, and treats him as if he was just one of the guys. Will took it upon himself to ensure that this peer always felt included and welcomed in social settings. This personal attribute is genuine and reflects the kind of person Will is. He is kind, moral, and wants to make sure that everyone is welcome. Will's efforts not only brightened the life of his peers but also set a powerful example for others to follow. His dedication to creating a more inclusive school culture reflects his empathy, maturity, and genuine concern for others' well-being. This is a service desperately lacking and Southeast Bulloch is a better place because of his spirit. In summary, Will Nelson is an exceptional young individual who possesses a rare combination of academic prowess, leadership skills, and compassion. I have no doubt that he will continue to excel in all his future endeavors and make a positive impact wherever he goes. It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend him for the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship program. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. Danielle Hibbs-Heiser M.S. Biology Ed. S. Secondary Education Science Teacher Southeast Bulloch High School
To Whom It May Concern: It is my pleasure to recommend Francisco Valentinotti for the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. Francisco is a dedicated, committed and determined young man who makes a positive impact on both his school and community. I have known Francisco for the past two years as his IB PPS teacher. During this time, I have seen Francisco continue to grow, learn, and excel in every situation inside and outside of school. As a student, he is always dependable, demonstrates leadership, and produces excellent work. Francisco continually demonstrated high intellectual capabilities during class and exemplified a desire to learn each day. He maintained his grades, while taking a rigorous course load while also being involved in numerous extracurricular activities. He worked hard to improve both personally and academically ensuring he takes steps to continuously achieve at high levels. Francisco earned the Georgia Certificate of Merit and the National Hispanic Recognition Award, the IB Career Program Certificate and completed the business pathway and the accelerated math pathway. He is constantly encouraging those around him to be positive, work hard, and pursue excellence. During the time I have known Francisco, I have seen him grow into a well-rounded, diligent young man. Francisco demonstrates excellence both in the classroom and in other extracurricular activities. He has spent time as a volunteer and paid tutor and camp counselor for Next Generation Focus and was highly involved in Spanish National Honors society during high school. As he moved onto college, he has also joined numerous professional organizations such as the Association of Latino Professionals for America, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Rowing Club. His extracurricular activities reflect his responsibility, and well-rounded character. Despite being involved in many extracurricular activities, Francisco balanced his schedule and worked to excel in all areas. Francisco is a hard-working, compassionate student who manages his time, talents, and skills to have a positive impact on others. Francisco is an outstanding individual who demonstrates determination, empathy, and a commitment to improve each day. Just as Francisco was an important member of my IB PPS class, he will be an asset to any academic community and is highly deserving of the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. His personality, intellectual capabilities, and dedication reflect a young man who inspires and will continue to inspire others to change the world. With that being said, I highly recommend Francisco as a candidate for the Georgia Engineering Foundation scholarship. Sincerely, Christopher Reonas (770) 781-2264 ext. 100823 creonas@forsyth.k12.ga.us
To whom it may concern: It is my great pleasure to recommend Kelly Patterson for the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kelly during her first semester at the University of Georgia. Kelly was selected to participate in the third cohort of a scholarship program at the University of Georgia, the First Year Scholars Program. As a member of the cohort of scholars, Kelly has demonstrated strong leadership skills, worked cohesively in teams, presented quality communication skills, and learned to engage in the College of Engineering community. During her tenure in the program, Kelly has taken a proactive approach to assignments and participation in class. She doesn’t shy away from asking clarifying questions and makes other students feel welcome to ask questions or share feedback. As part of the program, Kelly serves as a representative for underrepresented students pursuing engineering. This commitment to service and leadership does not go unnoticed. As a female in engineering, Kelly ensures that our college community and the future of engineering are diverse and inclusive. In addition to her leadership in the First Year Scholars Program, Kelly has a proven record of leadership and excellence during her high school academic career. During her senior year, she completed a hands-on senior project related to woodworking. This project gave her critical exposure to the engineering design process and project management. As Kelly settles into her first semester at the University of Georgia she is exploring new organizations. She is already a member of the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Kelly is committed to pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering. Kelly Patterson would serve as a valuable representative for the Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship would enable her to continue her mission of pursuing excellence in engineering with a mindset of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. I recommend her for this scholarship opportunity with the highest support. Kelly will be a great representative and steward of the University of Georgia and any organization she participates in. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need additional information. Sincerely, Amber Amber Juncker Director, Engagement & Recruitment College of Engineering 1156D Driftmier Engineering Center Athens, GA 30602 706-542-2744
September 29th, 2024 Dear Selection Committee, I am Valentina De La Fe, and I have had the privilege of serving Georgia Tech for the past 17 years in various roles. Throughout my time here, I have worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, recruiting and selecting Latino students, in OMED, where I developed retention programs for underrepresented minority freshmen and transfer students, and now in the Center for Engineering Education and Diversity, where I lead a peer mentorship program supporting undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented minorities in the Colleges of Engineering, Computing, and Sciences. It is my absolute pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Claudia Canovas. I first met Claudia when she arrived on campus this semester to pursue her studies in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering after graduating from one of the top schools in the state. From her very first day, she has taken on challenges with enthusiasm, excelling academically and fully immersing herself in campus life. Claudia is actively involved in the Peer-2-Peer Mentorship Program, a significant initiative that supports Black and Latino students in STEM fields at Georgia Tech. This program offers participants bi-monthly meetings focused on professional development, access to corporate sponsors, graduate school preparation, faculty research talks, campus resources, and academic enrichment. Since her arrival, I have witnessed Claudia’s remarkable growth. She is deeply committed to her degree, consistently takes advantage of the resources available to ensure her success and engages actively with the campus community. Not only has she excelled academically, but she has also adapted impressively to the challenges of living away from home. Claudia embodies qualities such as kindness, maturity, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. Her ability to think strategically, coupled with her dedication and perseverance, sets her apart. I am confident that Claudia Canovas will continue to thrive in any environment she steps into, and I wholeheartedly recommend her for this opportunity. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions. My email is valentina.delafe@coe.gatech.edu. Very respectfully yours. Valentina De La Fé Assistant Director of Undergraduate Initiatives Center for Engineering Education & Diversity Georgia Institute of Technology
To Whom It May Concern: I would like to recommend Bonnie Houston for a scholarship from the Georgia Engineering Association. I have known Bonnie since August 2023 when she was a student in my dual enrollment Composition I course through Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. She was also in my Composition II course. Bonnie was an excellent student who made exceptional grades, but beyond that, she was bright, perceptive, and insightful. She was a deep thinker who loved to probe beyond the surface. She chose to explore complex ideas beyond the obvious. I could always count on Bonnie to be the one student who finally spoke up when I asked difficult questions. She was also precise and paid attention to detail. Bonnie was a high school student when I taught her, but her level of maturity was far past that of her peers. She was not influenced by trends and refused to participate in social drama that so often drove her classmates. She was always punctual and maintained a positive attitude. Bonnie is certainly deserving of your scholarship. I highly recommend her. Sincerely, Sherri M. Newberry Assistant Professor of English, ABAC
Dr. Michael McCallie Director of Guitar Programs McCallie School mmccallie@mccallie.org 9/30/24 To whom it may concern, I'm writing to recommend Jude Rifai, a sincerely talented and inquisitive classical guitar student who I had the pleasure of teaching for nearly 6 years. From the start, Jude stood out for his exceptional sight-reading skills, often picking up complex pieces with ease. His ability to quickly and accurately interpret music was impressive and allowed him to explore a wide range of repertoire. What really makes Jude special, though, is his intellectual curiosity. He was always eager to understand the "why" behind the music—asking great questions about everything from the history of a piece to the theory that supports it. This kind of curiosity isn’t something you see every day, and it not only helped him grow, but also added a lot of depth to our rehearsals. Along with his talent and inquisitiveness, Jude was also incredibly hardworking. He consistently put in the effort to improve his playing and broaden his musical knowledge. I have no doubt that these qualities will serve him well in whatever he pursues, and I’m confident that he will be a fantastic addition to your program. While a student at McCallie, Jude competed in numerous national and international competitions, played in masterclasses with world-renowned artists and successfully auditioned into our most advanced ensemble. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any more information. I’m happy to share more about my experience working with Jude. Best, Dr. Michael McCallie
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR: Adam Young STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE CURRICULUM I taught Adam Latin II, Latin III, and he is currently taking Latin IV with me. Latin IV is quite a challenging class that requires students to translate unadapted Classical Latin prose and poetry authors such as Cicero, Catullus, and Vergil. ACADEMIC CHARACTERISTICS Based on his performance in Latin, Adam was inducted into the National Latin Honor Society. He is able to make strong connections across multiple disciplines, something that requires high levels of synthesis and evaluation. Last year, Adam gave a class presentation on Ancient Roman Chariot Racing. It was very well researched and delivered in a very engaging manner. For a class activity, Adam had students construct small chariots. He had created templates and carefully explained the engineering involved in the making of the chariots. I can always count on Adam to be the first to volunteer when we are translating in class. His translations are very strong and he has an excellent understanding of the grammar. When translating impromptu sentences on the board, Adam consistently demonstrates a keen ability to translate both from Latin to English as well as English to Latin. Adam is president of “The Forum” a school club in which students present talks on various topics. Adam reviews the presentations and slides prior to the students giving the speeches, introduces them to the audience, and then moderates a question/answer portion of the presentation. PERSONAL QUALITIES Adam is a mature, bright, and responsible young man, who expresses himself with confidence and poise, being open to constructive criticism and meeting it with enthusiasm. Adam is incredibly well-rounded and highly accomplished in areas as diverse as music composition, cross country, and car mechanics. Adam is patient, organized, hardworking and optimistic. He’s a team player and a natural leader. Adam sees what needs to be accomplished and sets out doing it in a well-organized manner. His ability to organize, however, does not imply a mechanical approach to knowledge. He is excited about ideas and has the discipline to read, think, and learn as he explores new visions. Adam is comfortable speaking to both friends and strangers alike! RECOMMENDATION I am convinced that Andrew has the intellectual ability and fortitude to accomplish his life goals, and therefore, warmly recommend him for this scholarship.