THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 55 AFSA NEWS Below are the 2026 AFSA merit award winners. Winners received $3,500, honorable mentions $2,000, the best essay $2,500, and essay honorable mentions $1,500 each. AFSA thanks all the judges and donors who made this year’s merit awards possible, including: Joanna Martin (academic merit), DACOR Bacon House Foundation, the Kiang Fund for Excellence, and the estates of Elizabeth and Oliver Harriman (financial aid) and Linda Fitzgerald (financial aid and community service). AFSA Merit Awards Continued from page 45 Academic Merit Scholarship Winners Maya Anderson— child of Christopher Anderson (State), graduated from Meridian High School, Falls Church, Virginia. Plans to attend Dartmouth College to study environmental studies and economics. Lucy Anna Broadbent— child of Peter (State) and Sheralie Broadbent, graduated from James Madison High School, Vienna, Virginia. Plans to attend Brigham Young University to study music education. Cherin Chikh-Ali— child of Mohmoud (State) and Natasha Chikh-Ali, graduated from Jerudong International School, Brunei. Plans to attend Pennsylvania State University to study public health. Lily Creech— child of Thomas Woodward (State), graduated from Rocky River High School, Rocky River, Ohio. Plans to attend Ohio State University to study nursing. Larissa Renee Criddle— child of Rebecca (State) and Jayson Criddle (State), graduated from American International School in Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus. Plans to attend Brigham Young University to study social sciences. Eamon DeGrande— child of Dustin (State) and Leslie DeGrande, graduated from Yorktown High School, Arlington, Virginia. Plans to attend University of Virginia to study aerospace engineering. Amira Drapcho— child of Robert Drapcho (USAID), graduated from American International School of Mozambique, Maputo, Mozambique. Plans to attend University at Buffalo to study occupational therapy. Aida Evans— child of Heather (State) and Nik Evans, graduated from Heritage High School and The Academies of Loudoun, Leesburg, Virginia. Plans to attend Chatham University to study psychology and social work. Hannah C. Fabrycky— child of David (State) and Laura Fabrycky, graduated from Copenhagen International School, Copenhagen, Denmark. Plans to attend Wheaton College to study environmental science. Patrick Findlay— child of Edward (State) and Alzbeta Findlay, graduated from McLean High School, McLean, Virginia. Plans to attend University of Virginia to study economics. Anisa Frey— child of Gregory (State) and Petra Frey, graduated from Meridian High School, Falls Church, Virginia. Plans to attend Pennsylvania State University to study psychology. Julia Friefeld— child of Christopher Friefeld (State) and Sara Woodring, graduated from George C. Marshall High School, Falls Church, Virginia. Plans to attend University of Virginia to study biology. Maya Anderson Cherin Chikh-Ali Lucy Anna Broadbent Lily Creech Larissa Renee Criddle Eamon DeGrande Amira Drapcho Aida Evans
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