Marian Afari is from Powder Springs, Georgia. Growing up, she was always interested in art and design. This passion carried through high school, where she participated in multiple art competitions and integrated her love for design with technology. She also developed a passion for sustainability and service by serving as president of Science National Honors Society and vice president of National Honors Society. Determined to combine her love for creativity, sustainability, and STEM, Marian is studying industrial engineering. Her goal is to design renewable energy systems that reduce the carbon footprint of data centers to promote a viable future.
Justin Allen was born and raised in Atlanta. He has always dreamed of attending Georgia Tech, where he is now an electrical engineering major. In high school, Justin served as the president of the Technology Student Association, where he developed his passion for engineering, technology, and leadership. He was also involved in JROTC, student government, and several community service initiatives, giving him opportunities to lead and serve others. Justin is passionate about using engineering to solve real-world problems and hopes to make a meaningful impact through his career. Outside of academics, he enjoys working out, spending time with others, and continuing to challenge himself in new ways.
Zachary (Zach) Dean is from Stuart, Florida, where he served as president and CAD lead of his high school robotics team. He also mentored younger students through the engineering design process and taught CAD classes. He explored his interest in mechanical engineering through an internship with an aerospace company specializing in VIP aircraft seating, where he designed mechanical systems, created engineering drawings, and helped automate composite manufacturing processes using AI. Outside of robotics, Zach enjoys experimenting with high-voltage electronics and building competitive BattleBots. These experiences inspired him to pursue mechanical engineering with a concentration in design at Georgia Tech, where he hopes to use his curiosity and passion for building to make engineering education and technology more accessible to others.
Born and raised in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, Alex always believed he would spend his life studying science. There was something about understanding everything a little more that always called to him. Majoring in nuclear and radiological engineering at Georgia Tech is his next step in that pursuit. He’s also always been an artist. His first painting predates his earliest memory, and he’s been painting ever since. His life, so far, has been focused on discovering how science and art influence his view of the world. He hopes to spend his life using his knowledge of science and love of art to make the world a better place.
Hayden Luong was born and raised in Arcadia, California, a suburban neighborhood 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. He has been fascinated by all things space and aviation since childhood. While attending Arroyo High School, Hayden deepened his passion for STEM by founding ARMS Rocketry (Aerospace Research & Mechanical Sciences), securing an Innovation Grant from Northrop Grumman to provide hands-on rocketry education for his school. Throughout high school, Hayden participated in the UCLA COSMOS summer program, engaged in community service as president of the Arroyo LEO Club and Class Council, competed in Science Olympiad, and ran on the varsity cross country and track and field teams. Driven by a love for engineering, aircraft, and community engagement, Hayden continues to expand his skill set as a mechanical engineering student with aspirations to contribute to the aerospace industry.
Michael (Mike) Majewski was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. In high school, he was president of his school's Environmental Club, head of the Economics Team, captain of the Academic Decathlon team, and founder of the Rocketry Team. As a part of these activities, he won several Academic Decathlon and economics competitions and spearheaded his school's recycling program. But it was through his time doing rocketry that he realized his desire to work in astronautics and the space industry. This combined with the leadership, interpersonal, and economic skills he gained during high school has led him to pursue aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech.
Grace Michaelson is from Cranston, Rhode Island, and is studying biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech. Her interest in how the body interacts with technology was nurtured in high school through selective programs and internships such as the Johnson Controls Women in Technology Program; a summer internship with Rock Steady Boxing, a gym designed for people with Parkinson's disease; and the Biomedical Engineering Joint Labs Internship in AI, Robotics, and Neurotechnology at the University of Rhode Island. Outside of education, Grace discovered the importance of community at a young age, serving at her church since she was 14, where she learned how to value people’s stories, welcome new perspectives, and even rethink her own.
Samadhi Salgado is from Millen, Georgia, where she developed a passion for service, sustainability, and leadership. Samadhi served as president of her school’s Student Council; 21st Century Leaders Club; and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America club, leading initiatives such as a student mentorship program and advocating for her peers. She also was a member of the Technology Student Association. A dedicated student-athlete, she competed in track and both sideline and competitive cheer at the state level. Samadhi graduated first in her class, earned her high school and county’s STAR Student award, and was recognized as a Georgia Scholar and a 21st Century Leaders’ Georgia Youth Leadership Awardee. She founded Fidget Fingers, a nonprofit that repurposes donated clothing into sensory fidget mats for individuals with cognitive disabilities and ADHD. She also volunteers with Weekend Blessings, where she donates bags of food to help fight childhood hunger. Samadhi is studying civil engineering, with hopes of creating sustainable solutions and continuing to make a meaningful difference in her community.
Mbery Tall is a first-generation Senegalese American student from Jonesboro, Georgia. She graduated from high school in the top 1% of her class with a 4.3 GPA, serving in leadership roles as president of her school’s Technology Student Association and participating in organizations such as DECA and National Honor Society. Through these experiences, she developed a strong interest in leadership, innovation, and the ways technology can be used to create meaningful solutions. Mbery is majoring in industrial engineering as a pre-med student, with a particular passion for the intersection of management and dermatology. She hopes to combine her interests in engineering, healthcare, and business to improve patient care while exploring innovative and efficient approaches to the management and delivery of dermatological services.
Kennedy Thomas was born and raised in Rome, Georgia. Outside of school, she was a member of many service-based clubs, including Bettering Ecosystems Around Rome, Junior Civitan, and National Honors Society. She also volunteered in her community at the Ruth and Naomi House and Restoration Rome. These involvements gave her a passion for service and helping her community. In school, she developed a love of physics, calculus, and environmentalism. These passions led her to major in electrical engineering, where she hopes to provide communities with accessible and sustainable energy.
Alexandria Wallace is from Dahlonega, Georgia, and is studying industrial engineering at Georgia Tech. Throughout high school, Alex was a member of the Math Club and frequently volunteered through the Interact Club, often spending time in elementary schools and senior living communities. Additionally, she was brass captain and a section leader for the marching band, gaining valuable leadership experience while also exploring her love for music. These experiences and clubs helped Alex realize her passion for helping people.