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Robertson Scholars Leadership Program Announces Class of 2018

This year's class hails from 17 states and six different countries

Thirty high school graduates have accepted invitations to become Robertson Scholars, receiving undergraduate merit scholarships to attend either Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This year's class hails from 17 states and six different countries, representing a plethora of backgrounds and global views.

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program invests in young leaders who strive to make transformational contributions to society. Scholars are selected based on students' demonstration of outstanding academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, force of moral character, purposeful leadership, and collaborative spirit.

The Robertson Program's financial benefits include full tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees for four years of undergraduate study, in addition to three summers of domestic and international experiences.

Robertson Scholars enroll at one university while receiving student privileges at both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, including opportunities to pursue second majors and minors, enroll in courses and participate in student activities. During the academic year, the Robertson Program provides customized offerings designed to enable Scholars to realize their full leadership potential.

The Robertson Program was created in 2000 through a $24 million gift from Julian Robertson, a 1955 graduate of UNC, and his wife, Josie. Inspired by their sons -- one of whom graduated from Duke in 1998, and another from UNC in 2001 -- the Robertsons believed that each institution offered a distinctive undergraduate experience, but that the combination of the two promised a breadth and depth of resources that no other university could match.

The Robertson alumni network consists of approximately 300 leaders on six continents, linked together by a common goal to make positive and palpable contributions to their communities.

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program is proud to announce its class of 2018:

Scholars at Duke University (name, high school, hometown):

Australia

Matthew Waller, Marcellin College Randwick, Coogee

England

Henrik Cox, Abingdon School, OxfordshireJoshua Neuhaus, St. Paul’s School, London

New Zealand

Benjamin Ayto, Wellington College, Wellington

Nigeria

Ogechi Onyeka, African Leadership Academy, Ebute Metta

United States

Colorado

Chinmay Pandit, Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins

Florida

Sydney McAuliffe, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm BeachMiriam Singer, Coral Reef Senior High School, Miami

Indiana

Philip Moss, John Adams High School, South Bend

Montana

Kya Sorli, Billings Central Catholic High School, Billings

New Jersey

Michelle Moffa, Holy Spirit High School, Linwood

New Mexico

*Maya Durvasala, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque

Oregon

Elizabeth Zhao, Jesuit High School, West Linn

Virginia

Matthew King, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, HenricoJackson Skeen, Cape Henry Collegiate School, Virginia Beach

Scholars at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

Kenya

Ian Muriuki, African Leadership Academy of Nairobi

Venezuela

Andre Domingues, Escuela Campo Alegre, Caracas

United States

Florida

Persis Bhadha, Cooper City High School, Cooper City

Georgia

Diandra Dwyer, Alan C. Pope High School, Roswell

Kentucky

Andrew Brennen, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington

New Jersey

Snehal Parikh, Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences, Rahway

New Mexico

Alexandra Hehlen, Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos

New York

Claire Boyd, Hunter College High School, New York

North Carolina

McNair Mitchener, Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte

Ohio

Olivia Linn, Wyoming High School, CincinnatiEric Qian, Upper Arlington High School, Columbus

Pennsylvania

Caitlin Rosica, Archbishop Wood High School, Jamison

South Carolina

Rimel Mwamba, Spring Valley High School, Blythewood

Tennessee

Maire Amlicke, Father Ryan High School, Nashville

Washington

Philip Howard, Central Valley High School, Veradale

*Chosen in 2013, deferred admission until this year.

For more information about the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, visit www.robertsonscholars.org.