Jenine Ghayyada Awarded National Head Start Alumni Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Leadership

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jenine Ghayyada has been named a recipient of the prestigious National Head Start Alumni Scholarship. She was bestowed the honor at the National Head Start Association (NHSA) Conference and Expo.

This national award, established to honor Head Start’s legacy of empowering young learners and their families, recognizes exceptional high school graduates who began their educational journeys in Head Start. The non-renewable scholarship includes a $5,000 award to support recipients as they transition to higher education at accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Ghayyada, a graduate of STEP Head Start in Williamsport, Pa, and a senior at Loyalsock Township High School, embodies the core values of academic excellence, leadership, and service. Throughout her high school career, she has demonstrated a strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to uplifting her peers and her community. As a student-leader, her influence has been felt widely — encouraging classmates to lead with compassion and purpose.

“Jenine Ghayyada is an outstanding example of how early learning like Head Start can set the foundation for lifelong success,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director for the National Head Start Association. “Her drive, empathy, and leadership are impressive and inspiring. We are thrilled to see her honored at the national level.”

Ghayyada will attend Rutgers University in New Jersey this fall, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and continue her journey as a changemaker and role model.

About the National Head Start Alumni Scholarship
The National Head Start Alumni Scholarship celebrates the accomplishments of former Head Start students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service. This competitive $5,000 scholarship helps recipients pursue higher education and honors the transformative impact of the Head Start program.

For more information about the National Head Start Alumni Scholarship Award and NHSA, visit: https://nhsa.org/scholarships-and-awards/head-start-alumni/.