AXA Achievement Introduces Scholarship Winners

AXA reported the 52 recipients of the 2015 AXA Achievement Scholarship.

According to a media release, with its focus on risk research and mitigation, AXA seeks to identify and reward students who, through their talent and passion, are driving awareness, discovery and general community outreach in areas such as education, the environment and disease prevention.

Every year, AXA awards 52 high school seniors - one from each state, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico - college scholarships of $10,000. Of those 52 winners, 10 students are recognized as national winners and receive an additional scholarship award of $15,000. AXA has given more than $25 million in scholarships to more than 6,000 students since the program's inception in 2003.

"Our winners - known as AXA Achievers - are not only talented and ambitious students, but also exemplary leaders, bringing ingenuity and resourcefulness to areas where innovation is most needed in our society," said Mark Pearson, director, president and CEO of AXA Financial, Inc. "It's an honor for us to help these students pursue higher education and continue to be catalysts of change in the world."

Students' achievements include a focus on societal problems such as education programs, environmental research, and disease prevention.

The 2015 national scholarship winners are:

Education Programs

-Evan Gong, Henderson, NVAfter starting a financial literacy campaign in 2014, Evan drafted legislation that will be heard during the 2015 Legislative Session in Carson City, Nevada, requiring age- appropriate financial literacy instruction for grades 6-12.

-Anvita Gupta, Scottsdale, AZAnvita founded LITAS, an after- school program that teaches middle-school girls computer programming skills, with the goal of increasing the number of women in science, technology, engineering, and math professions.

Environmental Research

-Matthew Cappucci, Plymouth, MAMatthew's lifelong passion for meteorology inspired his research on waterspouts. This research earned him an invitation from the American Meteorological Association, making Matthew the youngest person ever invited to speak at their national convention. He is currently the weekday meteorologist for two TV stations on Cape Cod.

-Valerie Ding, Portland, ORValerie combined her interests in quantum physics and renewable energy to design efficiency-enhancing solar technology through multi-junction quantum-dot solar cells. Through this project, she hopes to help researchers and engineers develop low-cost, high efficiency solar energy.

-Elliot Suiter, Johnston, IAElliot designed and built a 400-watt wind turbine and posted his plan online in a step-by-step format. In 7 weeks, more than 98,000 people accessed the plan, leading to less stress on the environment through wider use of wind energy.

Disease Prevention

-Adedayo Gbadamosi, Jackson, NJAdedayo developed a safe, accurate and low-cost way to detect pathogenic bacteria in liquids such as wastewater. His project aims to prevent thousands of pathogen-based illnesses per year.

-Nicholas Hibbeler, Kansas City, MOAfter his personal experience with testicular cancer, Nicholas launched the "CHECK 2" campaign to encourage male athletes to request a testicular examination during their sports physicals. He also helped coordinate two "Kick-Out Cancer" fundraisers, raising nearly $9,000 for services helping children with cancer.

-Bryce Badura, Midlothian, VAIn honor of a childhood friend who is a cancer survivor, Bryce founded and organized an annual charity 5K race called the "Dunkin Donuts Munchkin Run." Sold-out four years in a row, the run has raised $100,000 for the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation.

-Sarah Caldwell, Falmouth, MESince the death of her father from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Sarah has dedicated herself to raising awareness and finding a cure for the disease. She has raised more than $45,000, met with members of Congress, and wrote a soon- to-be-published memoir detailing her journey with her father's illness.

-Kelsey Lantz, Clarksburg, WVHaving suffered concussions playing soccer, Kelsey launched "Heads-Up Concussion Awareness." Using information from the Center for Disease Control, she taught athletes the signs, symptoms, and proper treatment of concussions, raising awareness in her community.

The AXA Foundation directs the company's philanthropic and volunteer activities, working to improve the quality of life in communities across the United States where AXA has a presence.

"AXA" is a brand name of AXA Equitable Financial Services, and its family of companies, including AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, MONY Life Insurance Company of America, AXA Advisors, and AXA Distributors.

More Information:

http://www.axa-achievement.com

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