Congrats, MOST Class of 2021

MOST's 14 graduating seniors will attend 10 colleges and universities this fall. Over the course of their PK–12 education, they have received $303,666 in MOST scholarships, which helped them achieve the following academic and extracurricular successes. Thanks to the MOST donors who have supported their education along the way!

Melanie Garcia

As a MOST Scholar, Melanie attended St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School in grade 12, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in grades 9 through 11, and Our Lady of Sorrows School in kindergarten through grade 8. Activities: theatre tech. Melanie will attend the University of Memphis on an Academic Excellence Award. She plans to major in biology and later go to optometry school.

Waleed Iqbal 

As a MOST Scholar, Waleed attended Pleasant View School in kindergarten through grade 12. Honors and activities: Muslim Society of Memphis Youth Council, National Muslim Interscholastic Tournament, National History Day Competition, and iftar prep at the local mosque. Waleed will attend the University of Memphis on the Provost Scholarship and plans to study business and finance.

Noor Khatib 

As a MOST Scholar, Noor attended Pleasant View School in kindergarten through grade 12. Activities: Green Memphis, Food Deserts, and tutoring. Noor will attend Baptist Health Sciences University, where she’s interested in studying ultrasound.

Kut Kut 

As a MOST Scholar, Kut attended Evangelical Christian School in PK4 through grade 12. Honors and activities: school play, football team, soccer team manager, garden club, and Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine. Kut will attend Bethel University, where he will play football. He plans to study international business.

Joshua Kute 

As a MOST Scholar, he attended Evangelical Christian School in kindergarten through grade 12. Honors and activities: Algebra Award, track team, football team, and Best Buddies. Joshua will attend the University of Memphis, where he would like to study engineering.

Victor Larrea 

As a MOST Scholar, Victor attended Christian Brothers High School in grades 9 through 12 and De La Salle Elementary School in kindergarten through grade 8. Honors and activities: trap and skeet team, honors band, inclusivity club, esports club president, Merge Memphis/Clare’s House volunteer, and St. Vincent de Paul food mission volunteer. Victor will attend the University of Memphis, where he plans to major in electrical engineering and minor in music.

Daja Lee 

Daja began her academic career at New Hope Christian Academy before attending St. Mary's Episcopal School in grades 7 through 12 as a MOST Scholar. Honors: National Beta Club. Daja will attend Xavier University of Louisiana on an academic scholarship. She plans to study biology and health sciences and pursue a career in the medical field.

Sierra Neal 

As a MOST Scholar, Sierra attended St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School in grades 9 through 12, Holy Rosary Catholic School in grades 7 and 8, and Resurrection Catholic School in kindergarten through grade 6. Honors and activities: National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, student ambassador, varsity cheer team, Memphis Pride All Star Cheer, concert choir, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, Shelby County Youth Council. Sierra will attend the University of Memphis on the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. She plans to study nursing with a possible minor in vocal performance. Her goal is to become a pediatric registered nurse.

Taylor Patterson 

Taylor began her academic career at New Hope Christian Academy before attending Harding Academy in grades 7 through 12 as a MOST Scholar. Honors and activities: A Cappella Chorus and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society. Taylor will attend Middle Tennessee State University on the True Blue Scholarship and the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. She plans to major in business with a concentration in management.

Taylor Tunstall 

Taylor began her academic career at New Hope Christian Academy before attending Evangelical Christian School in grades 7 through 12 as a MOST Scholar. Honors and activities: Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, AP Scholar Award, National Latin Exam gold medal, English Honors Award, Art/Watercolor Award, Latin II Award, Psychology Award, debate club captain, Knowledge Bowl, and Whitehaven Community Center youth counselor. Taylor will attend Sewanee: The University of the South on the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, which is awarded to one student annually and covers tuition, fees, room, board, and study abroad. She plans to major in English and history. Her goal is to attend law school and eventually become a judge.

Carlton Webster 

As a MOST Scholar, Carlton attended Evangelical Christian School in kindergarten through grade 12. Honors and activities: Wilson Society, Model UN, soccer team, football team, and neighborhood litter cleanup. Carlton will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He plans to pursue a career in real estate investment and later start a construction company.

Jada Williamson 

As a MOST Scholar, Jada attended St. Mary's Episcopal School in kindergarten through grade 12. Honors and activities: wind ensemble, Black student association, National Beta Club, National French Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Howard Vance Guitar Academy, Carpenter Art Garden, and STREETS Ministries. Jada will attend Loyola University Chicago on a Regent’s Scholarship. She is interested in studying environmental science or animal science.

Deenat Yusuf 

As a MOST Scholar, she attended Pleasant View School in kindergarten through grade 12. Honors and activities: Regional History Day Contest first place, Usmani Foundation Leadership Award, Shelby County Historical Commission Award, Citizenship Award, Shelby County Science Fair winner, Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, National Muslim Interscholastic Tournament winner, school newsletter editor-in-chief, St. Jude Leadership Society, basketball team captain, soccer team, and Feed the Hunger. Deenat will attend Rhodes College on a grant and the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship with an Aspire Award. She plans to follow a pre-med track with a major in biochemistry or biology and a minor in religious studies or sociology.

Additional college acceptances

On top of the schools in which they have enrolled, the MOST seniors were also accepted to Arkansas Tech University, Benedict College, University of Central Arkansas, Christian Brothers University, Claflin University, University of Denver, Dillard University, Emory University, Fisk University, Georgetown University, Harris-Stowe State University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Oxford College of Emory University, the Los Angeles Film School, Philander Smith College, Southern Methodist University, University of Tennessee at Martin, Tennessee State University, Tougaloo College, Tuskegee University, Valdosta State University, and Voorhees College.

Want to help provide need-based scholarships for Memphis students like our recent grads? Give to MOST today! Without MOST scholarships, these 14 scholars would not have been able to attend the schools that best fit their needs. Now, all are college bound and ready to take on their next academic adventure.