The Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council announced the winners of the county’s annual student scholarships recognizing female graduates who have demonstrated leadership and interest in equity and women’s issues.
The $1,000 scholarships were awarded earlier this summer to Myla Walker, Anna Nguyen and Maya Martin to help support their education this fall.
“As women leaders, we have a responsibility to serve as mentors and role models for the next generation and I’m incredibly proud of the work our Council performs to inspire and support our young achievers,” said Commissioner Felicia Hopson, who is a liaison to the Women’s Advisory Council. “These three young women are shining examples. They have excelled in academics, activism and leadership and will help carry on our legacy of outstanding women.”
“From Alice Paul and Elizabeth White to Charity Still and Carli Lloyd, Burlington County has been blessed with numerous great women leaders and our three scholarship winners are already accomplishing great things,” added Commissioner Allison Eckel, who is also a liaison to the Advisory Council. “We’re proud to help support their continuing education and know they will carry on our county’s legacy of outstanding women.”
The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness about the special needs and roles of women, and to enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information, follow the Council on Facebook at @BurlintonCountyWomen or visit http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council.
The following is a rundown of the scholarship award winners:
Myla Walker
Myla Walker was selected as the winner of the Alice Paul Champion scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has demonstrated leadership and advocacy for women’s equality issues.
Myla is a graduate of Burlington Township High School, where she was both an honors student and a National Honor Society member. She also served as vice president of the school’s Black Student Union and the Vice President of the Student Government. She was an athletic trainer and a member of the Peer Leadership Club.
Outside of school, Myla was active with the Girl Scouts of Southern and Central New Jersey and served as an advocate in the Girls State summer leadership program. She also worked as a summer intern at the Law Office of Amy Vasquez. She is now majoring in Comparative Women’s Studies at Spelman College.
Anna Nguyen
Anna Nguyen was selected as the winner of the Elizabeth Coleman White scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in scholastics and leadership and is interested in studying in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.
Anna is an Evesham resident and recent graduate of Cherokee High School, where she was selected to the National Honor Society and the honor societies for Art, Technology and World Languages. She was also active with the school Yearbook Club, Asian Culture Club, Class of 2022 Advisory Board and PB&J Club.
Outside of school, she volunteered with the Therapeutic Riding program at Majoda Stables in Moorestown and with the Moorestown Sports Camp. She also participated in Teentech, a program that promotes STEM learning and career opportunities.
Anna is currently studying computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.
Maya Martin
Maya Martin was selected as the winner of the Celeste Arties scholarship awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in academics and leadership and has an interest in women’s issues.
Maya is a resident of Hainesport and a graduate of Rancocas Valley Regional High School. She was a four-year honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. She also was a member of the school’s swim team, UNICEF vice president and co-founder, school newspaper editor, event coordinator chair for Students Against Hunger and student co-founder and coordinator for the RV Give Back Organization Food Pantry.
Maya also served as the gender studies chair of the high school Social Justice Club and helped organize a Women’s Empowerment Roundtable and Symposium to discuss women’s issues and challenges. Through the Social Justice Club, she also collected donations for the Providence House domestic violence shelter and a Denim Day event to spread awareness about sexual assault and victim blaming. She also co-founded the school’s chapter of the nonprofit Circle of Women Club and wrote letters to young girls throughout the United States as part of the Girls Empowerment Network.
Maya is now attending LaSalle University and pursuing a double-major in communications and political science.
