Pearl Alumni
Waco High SchoolAhmani Williams
Daniella Mercado
Midway High SchoolComing soon
Amahni is graduating from Midway High School, where she worked diligently to increase her academic standing. She joined the Hanan Foundation to be part of a supportive group of women empowering one another to succeed, while also aiming to make a lasting impact on the Waco community during her final year living there. Throughout her high school career, Amahni participated in various activities, including Theatre, Track, Spanish Club, and Business Professionals of America, and was a member of the National Honor Society. In the fall, she will be attending the University of North Texas to major in Advertising. One of her favorite memories in the program was volunteering with the Pearls to help clean up Waco.
Karren Chavez completed high school at University High School, where she was a dedicated and empathetic student. To further develop her leadership skills and build stronger teamwork, she joined the Waco Hanan Foundation, finding a meaningful way to give back to her community. A standout aspect of her high school experience was serving as a volunteer tax preparer for the VITA program for four years, where she leveraged her bilingual skills to bridge language gaps for local families. She also managed to complete the dual credit program at her high school, earning a high school and college degree at the same time. Lastly, she was apart of National Honor Society, an academic program where she was able to volunteer and give back to others with service projects, team work, and dedication. She aims to become a Certified Public Accountant, driven by her desire to provide kind, professional service and meaningful support to her community.
Rapoport AcademyIsabelle is graduating from Rapoport Academy Meyer High School after years of dedication to academics, extracurricular activities, and athletics. Her involvement with the Waco Hanan Foundation helped her grow as a leader and connect with her community. She will pursue a degree in Business Marketing with aspirations of becoming a business owner. While working toward her goals, she will also showcase her talent on the VTSU volleyball team.
University High SchoolIsabelle Luna
Karren Chavez
Naim is graduating from Connally High School, where she stayed active in both academics and extracurricular activities. She joined the Waco Hanan Foundation to build connections, get involved in her community, and make the most of the opportunities it offered. During high school, she participated in activities like Speech & Debate, UIL Academics, Band, Cadet House, and Upward Bound. This fall, Naim will attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Public Relations. Her favorite memory is volunteering in the community with the Pearls.
Connally High SchoolNaim Soto
Nandipha Chigidi
Midway High SchoolNandipha Chigidi, a graduating senior at Midway High School, is a driven leader and aspiring Nurse Anesthetist dedicated to serving her community through healthcare. An active member of HOSA and a talented singer in her church choir, she balances her academic pursuits with her entrepreneurial spirit as the owner of an independent braiding business. Her time with the Waco Hanan Foundation has been instrumental in her growth, allowing her to discover her leadership potential, build deep sisterhoods, and give back to the local community under the guidance of supportive mentors. Passionate about health equity and the power of reading, Nandipha aims to combine her clinical skills with a compassionate heart to provide professional care and meaningful support to those in need
Waco High SchoolSylvia Villanueva
Sylvia Arellano graduated from Waco High School, where she has been an active and dedicated student. During her high school years, she was involved in National Honor Society, the Future Educators Academy, Colorguard, Dual Credit courses, and many other activities that supported her academic and personal growth. Through her involvement with the Waco Hanan Foundation, Sylvia developed leadership skills and built meaningful friendships. She plans to continue her education at Tarleton State University, where she hopes to earn a degree in social work and use it to make a positive impact in the lives of children. One of her most memorable experiences with the Waco Hanan Foundation was the joy of building strong relationships, having fun together, and giving back to the community while developing important life skills.