TeenSHARP’s Class of 2025 Breaks Barriers with Elite College Admissions and Millions in Scholarships TeenSHARP’s Class of 2025 submitted nearly 900 college applications, earning admission to 34 of the nation’s top colleges across 16 states, and $10M in scholarships.
Wilmington, DE — At a time when access to the nation’s top colleges is narrowing, especially for Black, Latino, low-income, and first-generation students, TeenSHARP’s Class of 2025 is shattering ceilings, earning record admissions to the most elite institutions and securing millions in competitive scholarships.
An astounding 90% of TeenSHARP’s graduating class will attend institutions ranked in the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report, including Ivy League and top-tier liberal arts colleges such as the University of Pennsylvania, Morehouse College, Amherst College, Swarthmore College, Cornell University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Harvard University.
Highlighting the depth of talent in this year’s class, Daniah Almalaki and Namyanzi Edwards were among the 400 students nationwide who were awarded the highly competitive Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship.
Arely Reyes and Namyanzi Edwards earned the prestigious, full-ride Gates Scholarship for their academic achievement and leadership promise.
Among this year’s standout achievements, three TeenSHARP scholars matched with elite institutions through the QuestBridge National College Match, an opportunity awarded to less than 2 percent of over 25,500 applicants. Melisa Velasquez-Zunun matched with Swarthmore College, Namyanzi Edwards with Columbia University, and Ryan Grullon with Emory University.
As student loan debt continues to weigh heavily on families across the country, TeenSHARP seniors like Jennifer Godinez and twins Ifunanya and Onyinyechi Emeka are all heading to top colleges on full rides.
“Too often we hear what low-income or first-generation students cannot do,” said TeenSHARP co-founder and Chief Program Officer, Tatiana Poladko. “At TeenSHARP, we give them the structure, challenge, and support to show them and the world what is possible. The Class of 2025 pushed through every obstacle, and now they are stepping into world-class institutions with confidence and purpose. We could not be more proud.”
Unlike many programs that stop at admissions, TeenSHARP goes further. Through expert advising, strategic college planning, academic preparation, and leadership development, TeenSHARP ensures students choose colleges that offer rigorous academics, generous financial aid, strong alumni networks, and pathways to career success. The TeenSHARP Class of 2025 will graduate with an average student loan debt of just $12,000, far below the national average of more than $30,000.
About TeenSHARP:
TeenSHARP is a national nonprofit that prepares Black, Latino, and low-income students to attend and thrive at America’s top colleges with little or no debt. Founded in 2009 by Atnre Alleyne and Tatiana Poladko, TeenSHARP has evolved into a leading provider of innovative, at-scale college access and leadership development. Year after year, 100 percent of TeenSHARP scholars successfully pursue a 4-year college education, with 95 percent admitted to the most selective colleges; and the majority graduating with $15,000 or less in college debt. TeenSHARP’s mission is in service of a bold vision that, one day, the diversity of our country’s top jobs and most influential leadership positions will reflect the country’s rich diversity.
