Welcoming the 2026 incoming Stamps Scholars

Ava Cantarella joins VT in the physics program fresh off a tour with her band through Nashville, New Orleans, and Asheville.  She is looking forward to getting to know the unseen quantum universe and is thinking of research projects involving the physics of sound. In addition to VT making research opportunities available to undergraduate students, Ava’s enjoyment of her work with therapy horses drew her to VT’s top veterinarian and animal sciences programs. Ava is planning to pursue pre-health in combination with physics to explore how health may be tied to and improved on the quantum physics level. Ava is honored and humbled to be part of the Stamps community. The opportunities for research, study abroad, and collaboration will enable her to apply her exploration of physics and theory to advances in the real world. Ava also landed a small role in an upcoming Netflix horror movie. Watch for her next Halloween!

Aiden Christian is from Northern Virginia and will join Virginia Tech this fall as a Stamps Scholar, where he plans to study Computer Engineering. He chose Virginia Tech because he wanted to be part of a community that values collaboration, service, and using knowledge to improve the lives of others. From the moment he learned that Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim, means "That I May Serve," he knew he had found a place where his goals and values aligned. Aiden's passion for engineering began with a simple question: how can technology make learning easier for everyone? That question led him to teach Python to younger students, launch A-Squared, an AI-powered learning platform, and conduct independent research exploring how artificial intelligence can help students find educational resources more naturally. Seeing students gain confidence through technology taught him that the greatest impact of engineering is not the code itself, but the people it empowers. Outside the classroom, Aiden has found purpose in mentoring, serving his church community, leading student organizations, and playing lacrosse and swimming. These experiences shaped his belief that leadership is about creating opportunities for others to grow. At Virginia Tech, Aiden is excited to pursue research in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and embedded systems while collaborating across disciplines. He hopes to build technologies that make education more accessible for future generations. To Aiden, becoming a Stamps Scholar is both an incredible honor and a responsibility. It is an opportunity to join a community that challenges its members to dream bigger, serve selflessly, and create a lasting impact far beyond themselves.

Born and raised in The Bronx, NY, Brianna Duran is a true New Yorker! Her expertise with NYC’s vibrant city life and multicultural identities has molded her bright personality and willing spirit. As much as she has enjoyed the hidden treasures of her city, Brianna couldn't be more excited to step into a new adventure; Blacksburg, Virginia with all it has to offer seems like the perfect one. As a girl who thoroughly explored Central Park she is excited for nature at Virginia Tech. Beyond that she knows its beautiful landscape will be the perfect backdrop for her future walks, bike rides, camping trips, specifically curated playlists and love for cinema. That isn’t all she looks forward to at Virginia Tech as an upcoming freshman, Brianna plans to pursue Food Science and Technology driven by a curiosity on global systems, particularly how international power dynamics shape the global food exchange.  What motivates her is the ability to utilize her career to promote global health, equity, and sustainability within food systems to ensure food and health are accessible to all. She is inspired by Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim, and its commitment to serving others. This upholds her values of community engagement and mirrors what being a Stamps Scholar means to her. For Brianna, this experience is an opportunity to become the scholar she is hoping to be while serving to uplift empathy as the greatest source of wisdom and give back to communities at a global scale.

Alexandra Hilton is from Martinsburg, West Virginia, and a graduate of Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. The first thing that drew her to Virginia Tech was its emphasis on service and community as displayed by its “Ut Prosim” motto. After visiting and witnessing the school's spirit in action, and learning about projects like ReNew the New, She knew that Virginia Tech was the right place for her. Inspired by her mom and brother who both work in the psychology field, Alexandra will be studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology on a Pre-Med track. Psychology and neuroscience fulfill her interest in helping others. Along with psychology, Alexandra loves music in all its forms: attending concerts and Broadway shows, singing, and playing guitar. She particularly finds it fascinating that live music triggers neural synchrony, increasing social bonding. She enjoys reading and playing volleyball in her free time as well and hopes to join an intramural volleyball team at Virginia Tech. Alexandra is passionate about the human mind and using that understanding to help others enrich their lives. She believes in equality and works to fight the bias against women in healthcare by supporting awareness and education through leading the Girl Up club and Medical Career Club. To Alexandra, being a Stamps Scholar means pursuing academic excellence while being deeply involved and committed to helping her community through service.

Luke Lampron is from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and is planning to major in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Luke knew he wanted to attend Virginia Tech after his first visit, seeing the beautiful campus and the incredible academics the school has to offer. Luke is particularly honored to partake in the opportunities at Virginia Tech’s Honors College to create lasting positive impacts on the community. He is thrilled to be a Hokie! During high school, Luke was a varsity track athlete and played trumpet in the Marching Unit, where he held leadership roles, such as Vice President and high brass section leader. This fall, he is eager to continue his passion for music by performing with the spirited Marching Virginians. Luke is enthusiastic about protecting the environment and studying international food production systems. Last year, Luke was selected as a delegate to represent the Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences at the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Additionally, he enjoys numerous hobbies such as ceramics, soccer, and gardening. He has also been living with Type 1 Diabetes for the past 6 years and held a part-time job as a retail associate at UPS. Luke is honored to be a Stamps Scholar and is excited to connect with other scholars who share a passion for implementing real world solutions. He is looking forward to thoughtful discussions and the potential to travel internationally to create new ideas to tackle global agricultural challenges.

Born and raised in Aldie, Virginia, Charlotte Long is greatly looking forward to moving to Blacksburg to become a Hokie and a Stamps Scholar. She was drawn to Virginia Tech as a result of its commitment to service and community, as well as its proximity to nature. At Tech, Charlotte will be pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture, intending to use her degree to develop innovations for improving housing affordability while maintaining aesthetic value. In addition to architecture, she will also be studying French as a minor, as well as seeking to contribute to the wider Blacksburg community through her pursuit of the Honors Community Service and Engagement diploma. Outside of academics, she enjoys the world of theatre, working as a playwright, costume designer, and actress to help bring stories to life. Some of her other interests include playing guitar, building miniatures, and Mario Kart. At Virginia Tech, she is most looking forward to joining a community of passionate and caring people with whom she will be able to contribute to societal improvement. To Charlotte, being a Stamps Scholar means having the opportunity to meet and form connections with rising leaders across the nation who strive for intellectual and personal progress.

Jahzara Shabazz is from Sterling, Virginia and is a graduate from Dominion High School. She is now pursuing a degree in wildlife conservation on the pre-vet track. In her future, she passionately wants to give her talents to underrepresented areas around the globe and help the one health initiative. She is excited to take in everything the Stamps Scholar Program has to offer as well as conduct research and service abroad through the presidential Global Scholars Program. Jahzara knew Virginia Tech would be her new home when she toured in her sophomore year of high school. She fell in love not only with the unique and environmentally friendly campus, but also the people. The feeling of community and school spirit was instant, and she knew she would be taken care of and pushed to her absolute best. In her free time, Jahzara likes to express herself through different mediums such as music, painting, sewing, and dance. She was a member of her school's dance team who competed locally and nationally. Jahzara also takes time out of her day to help her community through her time at her local animal shelter and creating events and learning opportunities for others to learn more about the medical field. Jahzara lives her life through her high school’s motto of “living with significance”. Through the Stamps Scholars Program, she hopes to constantly help and contribute to matters greater than herself, working to make the world a better place one act at a time.

Alex Simmonds is from Northern Virginia and will be joining Virginia Tech this fall as an engineering major. She is passionate about applying engineering to improve human health and environmental sustainability through research, innovation, and collaboration. Throughout high school, Alex pursued research opportunities that challenged her to solve real-world problems. Her projects have included developing biochar from agricultural waste to remove microplastics from water and studying cellular signaling pathways in breast cancer using laser capture microdissection and reverse phase protein arrays through George Mason University’s ASSIP program. These experiences strengthened her curiosity, resilience, and appreciation for the collaborative nature of scientific discovery. Beyond the laboratory, Alex enjoys ice skating, baking, mentoring fellow students, and serving her community. She has been actively involved in STEM organizations and mental health advocacy, believing that leadership is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of others. She hopes to use engineering to develop solutions that positively impact both people and the environment. At Virginia Tech, Alex is most looking forward to engaging with a community of scholars who share her enthusiasm for learning, service, and innovation. She views becoming a Stamps Scholar as an incredible opportunity to grow alongside ambitious, compassionate peers while developing the knowledge and leadership skills needed to create lasting, meaningful change.

Jonah Treitler is from Arlington, Virginia. He plans to study engineering at Virginia Tech. His interest in engineering grew from a deep desire to solve real-world problems and a love for hands-on activities. He was drawn to Virginia Tech by its strong engineering programs, vibrant student community, and the university’s Ut Prosim motto. Jonah’s academic interests lie at the intersection of engineering, data science, and medicine. As a budding researcher with multiple publications, he hopes his undergraduate studies will prepare him to develop assistive technologies and medical devices that can improve quality of life for those living with functional deficits. He is excited to explore opportunities such as Engineers Without Borders. Outside the classroom, Jonah enjoys playing tennis and chess, skiing, and playing guitar. At Virginia Tech, he looks forward to serving as a volunteer EMT and participating in Christian and interfaith activities. To him, being a Stamps Scholar means joining and contributing to a community of curious, driven, and service-minded individuals who are committed to making a positive impact.

Hailey Underwood is from Mechanicsville, Virginia. She is majoring in Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech and hopes to use her future knowledge to attend PA school post-undergraduate. Virginia Tech’s strong sense of community, school spirit, and numerous opportunities were all major factors that led Hailey to Blacksburg. She is looking forward to meeting new people, enduring new experiences, and furthering her knowledge in science and the human body. Academically, she is also very excited for the research opportunities and internships over the next few years. She is very passionate about helping people and making a positive impact on those around her. She values the emotions and well-being of others and that is a huge aspect of why she wants to pursue work in the medical field. She cares deeply about giving back to her community and bringing joy into the lives of others. Throughout high school, she volunteered with special needs students on important days such as their prom and field days. She also taught academic lessons to elementary school classes, including both Spanish and Math. She is beyond grateful to consider herself a Stamps Scholar, as this is a title filled with respect and honor. For her, being a Stamp Scholar means she is able to pursue an education without the weight of financial hardship on her shoulders, allowing her to focus on what truly matters. She plans to express her gratitude through service and giving back to her community. She believes practicing humility is the most important thing as many students still suffer from financial weight. Overall, she is incredibly grateful to be a part of this group of individuals and is excited to use these opportunities to further her education and give back to her community.