Hello! My name is Ciaira Pope, and I am currently a student at Central Michigan University pursuing my undergraduate degree. I’m originally from Trenton, Michigan, and my experiences navigating predominantly white institutions (PWIs) as a young Black woman have had a significant impact on me. I have a strong desire to promote justice and equity in my academic pursuits, especially in the areas of sex crimes legislation and sexual aggression advocacy. I want to make a significant contribution to legal reforms and support networks that empower survivors, motivated by both my own personal challenges and the resilience of marginalized people. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring different points of view, and learning new skills.
Reaction Statement: Finding out I won this scholarship has made me feel incredibly thankful and inspired. In addition to providing financial assistance during the difficult and uncertain time of paying for my school, this scholarship supports my commitment to advocating for underrepresented groups. It serves as a reminder of how crucial determination and support from others are to conquering challenges. Being acknowledged by Silberman & Lam’s Rise Above Scholarship is an honor, and I promise to take advantage of this chance to further my goals in the areas of legal reform and sexual aggression advocacy. I appreciate you seeing my potential and giving me the courage and purpose to pursue my goals.
My name is Nicolas Langue, and I’m a junior at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, where I’m earning a B.S. in Finance with an emphasis in Real Estate. I’m originally from Salt Lake City and currently serve as the Professional Development Chair of the university’s Real Estate Club. My long-term goal is to become a real estate developer focused on building sustainable, community-centered projects.
Reaction Statement: I am beyond grateful to be receiving the 2024 Rise Above Scholarship. Knowing that Silberman & Lam saw value in my story affirms the hard work I’ve invested in my studies and community service. This support eases the financial burden of tuition and lets me devote even more energy to volunteer projects and professional development. Thank you for helping me rise above today’s challenges so I can build stronger, more inclusive communities in the future.
My name is Anthony Herzog and I’m from Powell, Ohio. I study psychology at the Ohio State University, and am about to go into my fourth and final year. I love playing the piano, watching movies, and rock-climbing. I hope one day to live in Copenhagen, Denmark and be able to teach at a university and also route-set at a rock-climbing gym.
Reaction Statement: When I found out I had received the Rise Above scholarship, I was so happy. It’s always nice to think that someone found your writing relatable and understandable, and worthy of some value. I feel immensely lucky too, like I’ve been gratefully boosted in my good karma. It also reminds me that hard work pays off, and that I may not always see the reward of a task immediately.
Ryan Raftery is a driven and community-focused student from Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, currently preparing to begin his studies in Human Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky. A graduate of Saint Viator High School, Ryan has demonstrated leadership and service through roles such as Kairos and LINK leader, student council representative, and founding executive member of the Community Leadership Council and the SVHS Athletic Leadership Council. Ryan has worked as a camp counselor and now serves as Lead Staff at Tamarak Day Camp. With a passion for mentorship, inclusivity, and service, he has contributed meaningfully to his school and broader community. Ryan’s future goals include leveraging his undergraduate studies to ultimately improve smiles and self-esteem, as an orthodontist.
Reaction Statement: THANK YOU for awarding me this Rise Above Scholarship – what an honor! I have been so blessed to work at Tamarak Day Camp for the past four years, as part of an incredible team that values their employees and intentionally creates exceptional culture. This scholarship will help me pursue a career in health care, where I will take with me the values I have learned at camp, ensuring that one day my employees also are treated with respect and gratitude.
Emma Vaughn is a proud Cincinnati native and graduate of Madeira High School, currently studying Political Science and Public Policy at The Ohio State University. At OSU, she’s deeply engaged in campus and community life through her roles in student organizations and her work as a legislative intern at the Ohio Statehouse. Emma’s passion for public policy is driven by a belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a happy, healthy, and safe life. Whether she’s advocating for voting rights, researching food access policies, or helping shape inclusive legislation, Emma is committed to using policy as a tool for positive change. She hopes to continue serving communities across Ohio by promoting justice, equity, and well-being for all.
Reaction Statement: I’m incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected for this scholarship. It means so much to me to be given this opportunity. It is not only a recognition of my hard work and passion for public policy, but also as an investment in my future and the impact I hope to make. As a student, this support helps ease the financial burden of college and allows me to focus more fully on my studies and community work. I’m deeply thankful for this opportunity and more motivated than ever to continue working toward a better future.
Bio: I am currently a sophomore student at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) majoring in Biology. I also work as a K12/Community College Peer Mentor at CSUB where advice and guidance are provided to underrepresented and disadvantaged youth in Bakersfield, California. I plan on using the knowledge gained from my degree in Biology along with extracurricular opportunities at CSUB to pursue medical school. I have always aspired to become a physician and believe that the leadership skills learned throughout college and my dedication to community improvement will always help me to improve lives in the future.
Reaction Statement: I would like to give my sincerest gratitude and thanks to those who selected me for the Silberman & Lam’s Rise Above Scholarship. This scholarship is an investment that alleviates me and my family of some of the financial burden that college places at times. I will use this investment towards my future in engaging and changing lives in college and beyond.
Bio: My name is Serenity Vejar, I am a senior at Sato Academy of Math and Science in
the biomedical pathway. I live in Long Beach, California and during college I am looking forward to pursuing a bachelors in health science and attending dentistry school. In my free time I love to go to concerts, the beach, and spend time with my friends and family.
Reaction Statement: Yay! Thank you so much! I feel so honored and grateful to be blessed with financial assistance to pursue my academic journey from Silberman and Lam’s Rise Above. I would like to thank everyone at the firm who took the time to consider my application!
Bio: Hello! My name is Laura Khuu. I am a graduating senior at Middle College High School in San Pablo, CA. I was born in Oakland, but grew up my whole life in San Pablo and Richmond, two underserved communities that ignited my passion for community service and volunteerism. I am studying bioengineering, a discipline that intertwines my passions of STEM and service. I aspire to improve health outcomes by engineering medical devices, while mentoring other minorities like myself on their journey to higher education. My passions expand to addressing societal issues, such as food scarcity, environmental injustices, and health disparities. In my free time, I love running track and cross country, spending time with my family, reading, and playing the cello.
Reaction Statement: Waking up to this email announcing that I was one of the winners shocked me – I was in disbelief because I hardly heard back from my other scholarship applications. I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this scholarship opportunity and even more honored to be one of the winners. This means so much to me. The financial burden of college is too much on my family; I was reminded on a daily basis to apply for scholarships because it’d otherwise be unaffordable, and therefore unattainable. I am endlessly grateful that I am now a step closer to pursuing my dreams of higher education and even better, closing the gender gap in STEM and empowering other girls of color to do the same. Once again, I thank the Silberman & Lam organization for this incredible opportunity. I promise to honor and make the most out of this privilege through my accomplishments, and by striving for excellence in all my goals. Thank you!
Bio: Logan Crist, a current sophomore at the University of Arizona W.A Franke Honors college, is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Chinese Language. She grew up in Cave Creek, Arizona where she started to learn Mandarin Chinese at the age of 5 through her elementary school’s language program. Her passions for the language continued to grow throughout all of high school, where she ultimately decided to add this as a minor when attending college. She has just recently declared neuroscience as her major, with passion and aspirations to continue down a cognitive science path. In addition to her studies, she enjoys reading, journaling, working out, and spending time with loved ones!
Reaction Statement: Oh my goodness! I want to thank everyone at the firm who took the time to read through my essay. It can be very hard to show vulnerability when applying for these scholarships, and I am truly grateful that mine has been recognized. With aspirations to study abroad, this scholarship will ease the financial tensions upon paying for my tuition tremendously. I look forward to now having the chance to fulfill these dreams. I am so thankful to be in this position, thank you very much!
Bio: My name is Andres Valencia, and I am a first-generation student at the University of Southern California, where I study Business Administration and Real Estate Finance with a minor in real estate development. I’m originally from Yuma, Arizona, so I stay close enough to home, but not so close that it feels like I never left. I am the youngest of three siblings.
Reaction Statement: I am incredibly thankful to receive this scholarship award, and even in awe. Being selected for this award is not a testament to my merit but to the generosity and humility of Silberman & Lam and their 2023 Rise Above competition. My only hope from here on out is that I get to help others much like myself, and give back, to them, by providing scholarships and application resources. Thank you very much to Silberman & Lam; I hope to not only be in touch with you but also to be a walking example of what your philanthropy can accomplish.
Reaction Statement: I write a lot of scholarship essays that can sometimes be vulnerable and personal. This essay meant a lot to me and to be recognized for my hard work as a student and what I’ve risen above in my life means a lot to me. I am forever changed and forever grateful.
Reaction Statement: WOW!! Thank you so much to the individuals who took the time to read over and select me for the Silberman & Lam’s Rise Above Scholarship. I took a leap of faith when applying for this scholarship & I am so glad that I took the opportunity to apply. This scholarship will be a big help in taking some of the financial burden off that comes with pursuing my lifelong dream of one day becoming a physician. Medical school has a lot of stressors and money is a big one. Thanks to this scholarship, I am able to worry less, focus on my studies, and do the best I can in classes. I am so grateful to be a recipient of this award. Thank you so much.
Reaction Statement: I would like to thank you for considering me for your scholarship. Your scholarship will significantly help my family and I to pay for my college education. Please know that your investment will be put to great use. My goal is to be an engineer who uses engineering to help the lives of others. Thank you for helping me in my pursuit of this goal. Again, I am grateful that you have chosen me to receive your scholarship. Thank you!
Reaction Statement: I am honored and humbled to have been chosen as one of Silberman & Lam’s Rise Above Scholarship winners for 2022. The fact that I received this news on my birthday makes it that much sweeter! I am thrilled to have the support of the firm and look forward to continuing my academic and professional pursuits aided by the generous assistance they have provided. It takes a village to be able to fully embrace the opportunities available in graduate school, and I am immensely grateful to have Silberman & Lam as a part of my village. Thank you to everyone at the firm that made this scholarship possible!
