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November 4, 2015
Thomas Perriello
U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Special Envoy Perriello:
As student leaders from campuses across the United States and abroad who advocate to help end the
conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we would like to formally congratulate you on your
appointment. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring that the responsibilities of this incredibly
important position remain a priority for the U. S. government as we maintain our commitment to
supporting your efforts to contribute to peace in Congo and the Great Lakes region.
As the Special Envoy to the region, you are best positioned to build on the progress made by your
predecessor and forge ahead on additional peace initiatives. We recognize the conflict in Congo is
complex and are therefore working at the campus level to implement effective policies and bolster your
efforts.
Through the Conflict-Free Campus Initiative – a joint initiative of the Enough Project and STAND – we
work with university administrators, student governments, and our local communities to enact measures
that pressure electronics companies and other relevant industries to help end the conflict minerals trade
and responsibly invest in Congo’s minerals sector. So far, 19 universities, colleges, and high schools have
passed resolutions to this effect, and students from more than 175 schools across the United States,
Canada, and the United Kingdom have participated in the campaign. Our goal is to bring attention to the
consumer link between conflict minerals and the financing of armed groups in Congo, while also
advocating for additional reforms that will benefit Congolese communities.
As engaged student leaders committed to seeing an end to the crisis, we ask that you take a strong and
deliberate stance on the following issues:
1. Tackle key challenges on conflict minerals, in particular conflict gold and miners’ livelihoods.
In recent years, there have been significant improvements in the transparency of corporate supply
chains as well as a major reduction in the number of tin, tungsten, and tantalum mines controlled by
armed groups in eastern Congo. However, much more must be done to address the conflict gold trade
and to support Congolese mining communities that have been negatively affected by the changing
economic landscape. To that end, the United States must provide more robust support for conflict-free
projects and livelihoods programs for mining communities in Congo.
2. Ensure the United States takes real steps to hold accountable the leaders and businesses most
responsible for mass corruption and violence in Congo. This includes implementing targeted
sanctions and prosecutions against corrupt officials and illicit financial networks that aid armed
groups.
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3. Make sure women’s and other civil society voices are heard in high-level peace efforts and hold
accountable leaders who block democracy. Congo enters a critical period as elections planned for
late 2016 approach and President Kabila ramps up efforts to remain in power, despite constitutional
requirements that he must step down. The months prior to the elections are potentially a very
dangerous period for communities across Congo. In cooperation with regional and international
stakeholders, the United States must prepare to take a strong stand to ensure Congo’s elections are
held on time and are free and fair. Additionally, high-level peace talks in Congo and the region will
not be sustainable without the meaningful inclusion of civil society, especially women.
As student leaders, our goals are clear: help end the deadly trade in conflict minerals, encourage
responsible, conflict-free investment in Congo, and support peace. Achieving these goals will only be
possible if leaders like you continue to actively support key, Congolese-led reforms.
We thank you for the fresh perspective and excitement you bring to this position, and are eager to work
alongside you.
Signed,
Jordan Abbey
Rochester Institute of Technology
David Goldberg
SUNY Buffalo
Diane Ogede
Boston University
Michelle Abou-Rood
Boston University
Ellie Goldman
Boston University
Chiamaka Ohaim
Boston University
Matthew Abrahamsen
Claremont McKenna College
Jessica Goldstein
Brandeis University
Hailey O'Hair
Georgetown College
Mikaela Adams
Georgetown College
Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Ramirez
Illinois College
Lushonda Okoli
UW-Milwaukee
Marina Addario
University of Central Florida
Davin Goodman
Rochester Institute of Technology
Victoria Olakojo
Boston University
M. Huzaifah Adnan
Rochester Institute of Technology
Matthew Graef
Illinois College
Taylor Orlando
Boston University
Thierry Adrien
University of Central Florida
Paige Graham
Illinois College
Timothy O'Shea
Middleton High School
Aditya Advani
Rochester Institute of Technology
Lexey Grapentine
Middleton High School
Lola Oyelola
Boston University
Laura Aguilera
SUNY Buffalo
Grace Graunke
Illinois College
Kush Pakki
Middleton High School
Masa Akari
Illinois College
Romeo Gray
Boston University
Bidemi Palmer
Boston University
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Raji Akileh
University of Central Florida
Nathaniel Groh
Illinois College
Brett Palmer
Illinois College
Kelly Alcius
University of Central Florida
Mahad Gudal
Boston University
Van Par
Illinois College
Ellie Aldous
Claremont McKenna College
Mauricio Guerra
University of Central Florida
Sophia Patroulis Lessig
SUNY Buffalo
Emily Altman
Georgetown College
Evelyn Guerrero
Lewis & Clark College
Richard Patti
SUNY Buffalo
Arria Alton
Middleton High School
Morgane Guex
SUNY Buffalo
Leilani Pecher
Illinois College
Nchedolisa Anammah
Boston University
Juan Gutierrez
University of Central Florida
Peter San Pedro
University of Central Florida
Seth Anderson
Lewis & Clark College
Fanita Gutt
University of Central Florida
Larissa Peltola
Claremont McKenna College
Uchenna Ani
Illinois College
Espoire Habimana
Illinois College
Emily Pennington
Georgetown College
Vishaalkrishna Anuraagavikannan
Rochester Institute of Technology
Lea Hall
Illinois College
Yasin Perez
SUNY Buffalo
Greta Appleton
Boston University
Jessie Hall
Southern Methodist University
Arnaldo Perez
University of Central Florida
Rachel Arceneaux
Illinois College
Anya Hall
Lewis & Clark College
Juan Perez
University of Central Florida
Margaux Arntson
Claremont McKenna College
Meadow Hardy
Illinois College
Brielle Perlingieri
University of Central Florida
Christian Arps
Community College of RI
Phillip Harper
Daytona State College
Anthony Pesare
University of Central Florida
Jenna Astroth
Illinois College
Amelia Harris
Georgetown College
Jenia Petrova
Claremont McKenna College
David Atilano
Claremont McKenna College
Katy Harvey
Georgetown College
Andrew Petschke
SUNY Buffalo
Thomas Atkins
Southern Methodist University
Maheen Hasan
University of Central Florida
Madison Pfaff
Illinois College
Abigail Atteberry
Georgetown College
Rick Hassan
University of Central Florida
Giulliette Pfeiffer
Boston University
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Adam Ausmus
Illinois College
Betsy Hathaway
Middleton High School
Madeline Pflasterer-Jennerjohn
Middleton High School
Shania Bacon
Illinois College
Quinton Tyler Hausermann
University of Central Florida
Lindsey Phillips
Georgetown College
Dyllan Bailey
Illinois College
Sundy He
Rochester Institute of Technology
Austin Phillips
Illinois College
Katie Baker
Georgetown College
Ashlyn Henderson
Illinois College
Peirce Phillips
Rochester Institute of Technology
Tyler Barley
Rochester Institute of Technology
Jack Herder
Middleton High School
Troy Pierre-Louis
Rochester Institute of Technology
Steve Barone
Rochester Institute of Technology
Cheyenne Herring
Illinois College
Kalani Pihana
Central Methodist University
Danielle Barrett
Georgetown College
Sydney Herring
Rochester Institute of Technology
Antonia Pillot
Illinois College
Micaela Bates
Georgetown College
Brad Herrmann
Illinois College
Jane Piselli
Antioch University New England
Austin Beard
Illinois College
Alyssa Herzing
Illinois College
Fabio Pizarrovictoria
University of Central Florida
Britteny Beck
Illinois College
Susannah Heuer
Georgetown College
Brody Pogue
Illinois College
Benhamin Beecroft
Lewis & Clark College
Georgia Hidi
Southern Methodist University
Brianna Pohlman
Illinois College
Erica Behrens
University of Southern California
Sierra Higginson
Illinois College
Siuan Poirteir
University of Glasgow
Madelaine Behrens
University of Southern California
James Hills
Illinois College
Anna Porter
SUNY Buffalo
Queentela Benjamin
Boston University
Ronald Hoagland
Illinois College
Aidan Powell
SUNY Buffalo
Madison Benson
Illinois College
Chris Hodge
University of Central Florida
Bhanu Prakash
Rochester Institute of Technology
Hanna Bergkoetter
Illinois College
Erin Hodgson
Illinois College
Kaitlyn Prehoda
Illinois College
Nicole Bergschneider
Illinois College
Luke Hoffman
SUNY Buffalo
Marcus Price
Georgetown College
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Brant Bess
Illinois College
Autumn Holley
Georgetown College
Zachary Price
Rochester Institute of Technology
Blair Betik
Southern Methodist University
Ben Hollingsworth
Rochester Institute of Technology
Katie Prizer
Illinois College
Haleigh Bevins
Georgetown College
Michael Holtz
Boston University
Mayra Quintana
Illinois College
Emily Beyer
Middleton High School
Rose Horky
Middleton High School
Bryce Raaymakers
Lewis & Clark College
Lakhan Bhojwani
Rochester Institute of Technology
Allison Horowitz
Boston University
Sethuraman Ramanatha
Rochester Institute of Technology
Risha Bhukhan
University of Central Florida
Meghan Hoskins
Antioch University New England
Henry Randall
Illinois College
Alanna Billups
Boston University
Payton Houden
Middleton High School
Allison Rascon
University of Central Florida
Ryan Black
Rochester Institute of Technology
Ryan Hudson
Rochester Institute of Technology
Nithin Reddy
Rochester Institute of Technology
Sabina Bloom
Lewis & Clark College
Av'ry Hughes
Boston University
Darius Redmond
Illinois College
Arthur Borden-Heilman
Lewis & Clark College
Yasmina Hussien
Georgetown College
Miriam Reed
Illinois College
Allie Bowe
Georgetown College
Tanya Ifft
Illinois College
Nick Remsik
Middleton High School
Cedric Bowen
Rochester Institute of Technology
Faridat Illupeju
Boston University
Michael Repole
SUNY Buffalo
Alexa Bracci
SUNY Buffalo
Rachel M. Irons
Daytona State College
Zoilt Resendiz
Illinois College
Ellen Bresnick
Middleton High School
Jennifer Jennings
Illinois College
Madison Rever
Illinois College
Kolby Briggs
Illinois College
Mi Jeon
Rochester Institute of Technology
Caroline Richards
Georgetown College
Joshua Brooks
Illinois College
Jack Jeskey
University of Central Florida
Blake Richardson
Illinois College
Jason Brown
Antioch University New England
Jacqui Johns
Georgetown College
Tiffany Richardson
University of Central Florida
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Zech Brown
Rochester Institute of Technology
Allison Johnson
Rochester Institute of Technology
Anthony Rios Rochester
Institute of Technology
Christopher Brown
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rylee Joiner
Georgetown College
Joseph Ritter
Illinois College
Ciara Brown
University of Central Florida
Bethany Jones
Georgetown College
Jacob Roberts
Georgetown College
Ruth Brown
University of Glasgow
Jack Jones
Illinois College
Pedro Rodriguez
Boston University
Hunter Bryant
Illinois College
Walter Jones
Illinois College
Gabriela Rodriguez
Lewis & Clark College
Katy Buhlig
Illinois College
Rochelle Jordan
Lewis & Clark College
John Rogers
Lewis & Clark College
Emily Bunch
Georgetown College
Kristine Natividad Jubilag
University of Central Florida
Alison Rogers
SUNY Buffalo
Elexus Buntley
Rochester Institute of Technology
Benie Kalala
Illinois College
Erin Ross
University of Glasgow
Day Buquer
Illinois College
Claire Kaufmann
Illinois College
Mengfei Ru
Illinois College
Tiffany Burgess
Illinois College
Kai Kellerman
Claremont McKenna College
Zoe Rudloff
SUNY Buffalo
Brendan Busch
Claremont McKenna College
Elizabeth Kelley
Illinois College
Devon Rusinek
SUNY Buffalo
Bo Buschon
Illinois College
Izzy Kennedy
Illinois College
Tierra Russell
Illinois College
Christopher Butrym
Bryant University
Kristiana Kenney
University of Central Florida
Kate Ruston
Claremont McKenna College
Catherine Cadang
UC Davis
Dalton Kerans
Illinois College
Emily Salcedo
Boston University
Zachary Calman
University of Texas at Dallas
Samantha Keys
Southern Methodist University
Kari Sandage
Antioch University New England
Brittany Calvanelli
University of Central Florida
Uma Khan
SUNY Buffalo
Marissa Sandgren
Lewis & Clark College
Vanessa Cardenas
Illinois College
David Khaydatov
SUNY Buffalo
Surabhi Sarda
Rochester Institute of Technology
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Shelby Carey
Illinois College
Kesey Kieker
Rochester Institute of Technology
Amanda Schartau
Rochester Institute of Technology
Sally Kim
Boston University
Simi Seerha
Middleton High School
Hailee Scheper
Georgetown College
Seohyun Kim
Rochester Institute of Technology
Viviana Sepulveda
University of Central Florida
Nisarg Shah
University of Central Florida
Lexi Carpenter
Georgetown College
Franklin Kimmell
Illinois College
Julia Shankle
University of Central Florida
Dalton Carrington
Illinois College
Brianna Klein
Illinois College
Omar Shazley
University of Central Florida
Nathan Castle
Rochester Institute of Technology
Maxwell Klein
Illinois College
Andrew Sheehan
SUNY Buffalo
Allen Chang
Middleton High School
Gabe Knott
Illinois College
Michael Shereda
Illinois College
Isabel Chavez
Claremont McKenna College
Arnelle Kodjo
Boston University
Jose Sierra
Illinois College
Jovanna Chavez
Illinois College
Shelby Koehler
Illinois College
Dustin Simpson
Illinois College
Rachel Cheatham
Georgetown College
Andy Koltun
UNC-Chapel Hill
Thomas Siskar
SUNY Buffalo
Danny Cheng
University of Central Florida
Kevin Kozuchowsky
Rochester Institute of Technology
Leigh Slyker
SUNY Buffalo
Kristen Wingyan Cheung
University of Central Florida
Andrew Kramer
University of Central Florida
Jackson Smith
Claremont McKenna College
Prasad Chitnis
Rochester Institute of Technology
Harrison Kremitzki
Illinois College
Elizabeth Smith
Georgetown College
Caitlin Choberka
SUNY Buffalo
Natalie Kuo
Lewis & Clark College
Marcus Smith
Illinois College
Towhid Chowdhury
Rochester Institute of Technology
Seun Kuye
Boston University
Nick Smith
Illinois College
Emily Clarke
Boston University
Katie Kuznia
Illinois College
Adam Smith
Illinois College
Carson Clarke-Magrab
Rochester Institute of Technology
Andreas Kyrvasilis
Middleton High School
Titus Smith
Middleton High School
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Rachel Clayton
Illinois College
Alexander LaFleur
Rochester Institute of Technology
Dillon Smith
SUNY Buffalo
Demetrius Cobb
Illinois College
Brian Landy
Rochester Institute of Technology
Haley Snyder
Georgetown College
Haley Coble
Illinois College
Brandon Lao
Lewis & Clark College
Shafer Soars
Illinois College
Zachary Colclasure
Illinois College
Blake Lapin
Claremont McKenna College
Melissa Solorio
Illinois College
Anthony Collichio
Boston University
Macie LaRose
University of Central Florida
Kelsey Sommer
SUNY Buffalo
Christina Collier
Southern Methodist University
Erica Larson
Illinois College
Abhav Soni
Glacier Creek Middle School
Emily Collinson
American University
Morgan Larson
Middleton High School
Sael Soni
Middleton High School
Adam Jamal Colucci
University of Central Florida
Andrew Law
Illinois College
Alima Sore
Boston University
Robert Cooper
Illinois College
TJ Lawal
Illinois College
Nicole Southard
Claremont McKenna College
Samuel Cooper
Southern Methodist University
Aubri Layson
Georgetown College
Katie Speaks
Illinois College
Emily Corbridge
Illinois College
Niccolo Lazzara
Southern Methodist University
Mary Stalter
Rochester Institute of Technology
Robert Francisco Cordero
University of Central Florida
Matthew Leiferman
Middleton High School
Brendan Stanfield
Illinois College
Sarah Cox
Antioch University New England
Mallory Lennon
Rochester Institute of Technology
Bobby Stark
Illinois College
Ethan Crain
Illinois College
Jack Levin
Lewis & Clark College
Hunter Statz
Middleton High School
Jennifer Crentsil
Illinois College
Dan Lewis
Illinois College
Ceciline Steyn
McGill University
Eryn Cummings
Georgetown College
Andrew Lindeborg
The George Washington
University
Christopher Stillwell
Rochester Institute of Technology
9
Madalyn Cunningham
Georgetown College
Sarah Loehle
SUNY Buffalo
Graham Leonard Strauss
The University of Scranton
Madison Dagitz
Middleton High School
Bryan Lopez
University of Central Florida
Jasmyn Streater
Rochester Institute of Technology
Katherine Daifotis
Claremont McKenna College
Lornex Loreen
Boston University
Emma Stuhmer
Illinois College
Bianca Dam
SUNY Buffalo
Kaitlyn Lotito
SUNY Buffalo
Carter Sturtevant
Illinois College
Apurwa Dandekar
Rochester Institute of Technology
Averie Lozano
Georgetown College
Ryan Sung
Claremont McKenna College
Luke Davis
Illinois College
Andy Lu
Rochester Institute of Technology
Anne-Emmanuelle Sunther
Illinois College
Terranika Davis
Illinois College
Hannah Lucas
SUNY Buffalo
Sri Sure
UNC-Chapel Hill
Neil Davis
UNC-Chapel Hill
Courtney Lyons
Georgetown College
Adnan Syed
Rochester Institute of Technology
Jackie Day
Southern Methodist University
Lindy Magness
Wheaton College
Alison Szukala
Rochester Institute of Technology
Drew Degler
Middleton High School
Pratit Mahale
Rochester Institute of Technology
Shereen Tajalli
University of Central Florida
Mary Deis
Rochester Institute of Technology
Mady Maio
University of Southern California
Negin Taleb
Boston University
Luke Delaney
Middleton High School
June Mangan
Illinois College
Courtney Tarr
Illinois College
Mikayla Dennison
Georgetown College
Stephanie Manuel
Georgetown College
Johnathan Taylor
Illinois College
Juliana Diatezua
Boston University
Shannon Manuel
Georgetown College
Alex Tejada
University of Central Florida
Luz Diaz
University of Central Florida
Chelsea Ann Marcano
University of Central Florida
Brandon Terry
Illinois College
Jane Dimnwaobi
Boston University
Blake Marcy
Illinois College
Kevin Thomas
Purdue University
Mary Doane
Saint Michael's College
Toby Margolin
University of Central Florida
Shruthi Thomas
SUNY Buffalo
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Kapil Dole
Rochester Institute of Technology
Branden Martin
Rochester Institute of Technology
Lorraine Thompson
Illinois College
Colton Donica
Southern Methodist University
Marissa Masnica
Middleton High School
Keena Tolentino
Rochester Institute of Technology
Jenna Dresner
University Of Southern California
John Matherly
Georgetown College
Ryan Torrance
Illinois College
Lauren D'Souza
Claremont McKenna College
Kayla Matthews
Illinois College
Jennifer Torres
Southern Methodist University
Dianne DuBois
Antioch University New England
Alyssa McElyea
Illinois College
Arturo Torres
SUNY Buffalo
Hollis Dudgeon
Georgetown College
Madi McEwen
SUNY Buffalo
Maria Tovar
Rochester Institute of Technology
Payton Dugan
Illinois College
Tess McHale
SUNY Buffalo
Will Trabold
Rochester Institute of Technology
Katie-Lauren Dunbar
Lewis & Clark College
Savannah McInvale
Antioch University New England
Jordan Trafton
Claremont McKenna College
Cody Dunn
University of Central Florida
Aaron Mckinney
Claremont McKenna College
Jennifer Trapani
Antioch University New England
Jessica Duque
Boston University
Colleen McMahon
Rochester Institute of Technology
Emmanuel Tshimoa
Illinois College
Vela Dyrness
Lewis & Clark College
Jacob McNamara
Illinois College
Hannah Turk
Illinois College
Emily Eader
Georgetown College
Allison McNamara
Illinois College
Claire Ufongene
Boston University
Zineb El Bardai
Boston University
Allie McRaith
Lewis & Clark College
Ogechi Uju-eke
Illinois College
Tyler Ellis
Georgetown College
Haley Mettendorf
Illinois College
Teresa Umoren
Illinois College
Sarah Engle
Middleton High School
Roger Mies
Illinois College
Zachary Untracht
University of Central Florida
Ntekereze Enock
Rochester Institute of Technology
Hannah Milhouse
Illinois College
Daniel Uvaydov
SUNY Buffalo
Thomas Ermon
Illinois College
Johnathan Miller
Illinois College
Vivian Vaisman
SUNY Buffalo
11
Valerie Escudero
Illinois College
Seth Daniel Miller
University of Central Florida
Adam Valdman
Metea Valley High School
Stephanie Esonwune
Boston University
Greg Miller
University of Central Florida
Kevin Vande Vusse
Antioch University New England
Karina Espinosa
Illinois College
Evelyn Mittler
Claremont McKenna College
Breanna VanMatre
Illinois College
Jayne Evans
Boston University
Neville Mogent
Rochester Institute of Technology
Lauren VanValkenburg
Boston University
Emily Evans
Georgetown College
Melanie Moises
University of Central Florida
Quinton Wadkins
Illinois College
Mikayla Fayo
SUNY Buffalo
Brandon Mojica
University of Central Florida
Tyler Walker
University of Central Florida
Madison Featherstone
SUNY Buffalo
Doug Mollett
Georgetown College
Courtney Walsh
University of Central Florida
Adam Ferguson
University of Central Florida
Bruno Moraes
University of Central Florida
Corie Walsh
UNC-Chapel Hill
Jordan Fesshie
Boston University
Ambar Morales
Iowa State University
Elaine Wang
Claremont McKenna College
Kayla Finstein
Southern Methodist University
Myles Moran
Rochester Institute of Technology
Lerandy Warren
Illinois College
Gabi Fisher
Illinois College
Vinay More
Rochester Institute of Technology
Samuel Welbourne
Illinois College
Cristian Flores
Illinois College
Jonathan Morgan
Georgetown College
Lauren Wetzel
Rochester Institute of Technology
Courtney Florin
Middleton High School
Evan Mori
Rochester Institute of Technology
Kevin White
SUNY Buffalo
Alexis Foster
Illinois College
Declan Mulkerin
Middleton High School
Hanna Whited
Georgetown College
Michael Foust
Rochester Institute of Technology
Remy Mullen
University of Central Florida
Shanna Wiegand
Middleton High School
Tyese Fraser
Boston University
Paul Muniz
Illinois College
Kristen Wiley
Illinois College
Kandace Fung
Claremont Mckenna College
Jovanny Nava
Illinois College
Denae Wilkins
Boston University
12
Mitchell Ganta
Rochester Institute of Technology
Christopher Nelzy
University of Central Florida
Britanni Willard
Illinois College
Michael Garcia
Illinois College
Nadya Netchva
Boston University
Perry Winkler
Illinois College
Brendhan Garland
Illinois College
Alymiyahou Ngala
Illinois College
Amanda Wood
Illinois College
Ethan Garry
Rochester Institute of Technology
Michael Niederbrach
Illinois College
Savannah Wooten
UNC-Chapel Hill
Tullio Geraci
Rochester Institute of Technology
Alexandra Heidtmann Nobre
University of Central Florida
Elias Wright
Illinois College
Cristine Joy Gilbert
University of Central Florida
Trevor Noel
Marshall University
Susie Wu
Syracuse University
Brady Gilliam
UNC-Chapel Hill
Lisa Noggle
Illinois College
Amina Wynn
Illinois College
Rohit Giyanani
Rochester Institute of Technology
Colette Norris
Illinois College
Noah Yantis
Illinois College
Rory Glackin
Rochester Institute of Technology
Mark Norris
UW-Madison
Hanaan Yazdi
Boston University
Maggie Go
Middleton High School
Anna N'Semi
Lewis & Clark College
Arelys Zamora
UF College of Medicine
Jose Goday
Boston University
Erick Ntekereze
Rochester Institute of Technology
Gloria (Zhihan) Zhao
Southern Methodist University
Brittney Godfrey
University of Central Florida
Jacob Nunez
Illinois College
Natalya Zianora
McGill University
Biobele Gogo-Peters
Illinois College
Kamara Nwosu
Boston University
Nathan Zimmerman
Illinois College
Liang Goh
Rochester Institute of Technology
Naomi Odelibe
Boston University
Jake Zuena
Rochester Institute of Technology
Kaley Goiz
University of Central Florida
Diane Ogede
Boston University