AFSA NEWS 70 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA SCHOLARSHIPS Meet the 2025 AFSA Merit Award Winners Ruslan Akmyradov Alexandra Lowenthal Billo Ian Cardenas Naia Bauer Bennett Then–AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi (center) joins the 2025 Foreign Service Youth Award honorees on stage at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on June 25. From left: Ruslan Akmyradov, Raya Nepal Gupta, Abigail Lee, Francisca Hilgert, Paul Krause, Viola G. Wilson, Eleanor Dagny Stufft, Isla DeGrande, and Sierra Cullum. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA Founded almost 100 years ago, in 1926, the AFSA Scholarship Program offers academic merit and financial aid scholarships to children of AFSA members. This year the program awarded $421,000. In need-based financial aid scholarships, $269,000 was divided among 84 students. Forty-nine merit awards totaling $152,000 were divided among 43 students. This year’s winners were recognized at the annual youth awards ceremony that took place in the State Department’s George C. Marshall Center on June 25. The event featured remarks by Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael Rigas, then–AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi, and President of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation Paul Sutphin. In his remarks, Yazdgerdi said, “The Foreign Service life presents unique opportunities for our families, and provides you with lifelong skills of curiosity, adaptability, and resilience. ... We look forward to this next chapter of your lives and will all watch with pride and enthusiasm as you shape a bright future.” Below are the 2025 AFSA merit award winners, listed alphabetically by last name. Winners received $3,500, honorable mentions $2,000, the best essay $2,500, and essay honorable mentions received $1,500 each. AFSA thanks all the judges and donors who made this year’s merit awards possible. Academic Merit Scholarship Winners Ruslan Akmyradov—child of Kurosh Massoud Ansari (State) and Tajigozel Akmyradova, graduated from Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, Maryland. Plans to attend University of Maryland, College Park, to study computer engineering and mathematics. Naia Bauer Bennett— child of Jason (USAID) and Kelly Bauer Bennett, graduated from American School Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico. Plans to attend University of California, San Diego, to study bioengineering: biotechnology. Alexandra Lowenthal Billo— child of Nancy Lowenthal (USAID) and Mounkaila Abdou Billo, graduated from Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Virginia. Plans to attend Spelman College to study math and engineering.
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