Distinguished Student Ambassadors Program clone

COLLEGE STATION, TX — ILTexas Aggieland High School is proud to announce that senior Samyam Khatiwada has been named a 2025 Cooke College Scholar by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Samyam is one of only 60 students selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.

This prestigious scholarship recognizes outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, and service. As a Cooke College Scholar, Samyam will receive up to $55,000 per year in funding toward a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university, in addition to comprehensive advising and program support designed to ensure success throughout college.

A standout scholar and campus leader, Samyam has made a lasting impact at ILTexas Aggieland through involvement in the Distinguished Student Ambassador Program, Marine Corps JROTC, and as a host for the school’s recent Leadership Speaker Series featuring Dr. Karen Nyberg. His academic excellence and commitment to service have set a powerful example for his peers and the entire ILTexas community.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s College Scholarship Program is one of the most generous and competitive in the nation, with the goal of closing financial gaps for high-achieving students with financial need. Congratulations, Samyam! 

Katy, Texas – ILTexas Katy-Westpark High School senior Nhat Nguyen has been accepted to Harvard University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. This extraordinary achievement reflects both Nhat’s dedication and the unwavering support he received during his time at ILTexas.

"It felt amazing," Nhat recalls. "Two years earlier, my older cousin had been accepted to Harvard, and seeing that happen firsthand inspired me deeply."

Originally from Boston, Nhat regularly visited Harvard’s campus throughout his childhood and always dreamed of one day walking those halls as a student. His passion for mathematics and commitment to academic excellence made that dream a reality.

When he arrived at ILTexas, Nhat was new to everything—new city, new school, new community. But with the guidance of his AP Calculus teacher, Mr. Malik, Nhat quickly found his place. Mr. Malik encouraged him to start the school’s first math club, which allowed him to help other students build their skills and confidence in math.

Nhat’s journey was further enriched by his participation in the Distinguished Student Ambassador Program (DSAP), which took him on a life-changing trip to Washington, D.C. There, he met Dr. Shelley, who shared a quote that stuck with Nhat: "Your stats, like GPA and SAT scores, open doors, but your passion makes you unforgettable."

Nhat credits ILTexas not only for strong academic preparation but also for essential life lessons. He warmly remembers staying after school hours with Ms. Leving, who tirelessly helped him prepare for his Harvard interview, and he appreciates Ms. V for her unwavering support. 

As a varsity soccer player, Nhat also gained important life skills on the field. "My coach taught me how to handle pressure," he said. "As a goalkeeper, you have to stay focused under stress, and that’s something I’ll carry with me to college."

Nhat is looking forward to the next chapter of his journey and the chance to experience life on his own for the first time. "My parents have been with me every day for 18 years," he said. "It’s going to be hard, but I’m excited to see what life looks like on my own."

The entire ILTexas community celebrates Nhat Nguyen’s success and looks forward to seeing all he will accomplish in the years to come. His story is a shining example of what ILTexas students can achieve through hard work, character, and the support of dedicated educators.

 

Faith Odungide has been an ILTexas Eagle since the very beginning. She joined ILTexas in fourth grade when the school first opened and has been part of the ILTexas family ever since. Now a senior at ILTexas Katy-Westpark High School, Faith is soaring to new heights with her recent acceptance to Johns Hopkins University, among other notable institutions.

A Moment of Triumph

“At Johns Hopkins, I met Miss Sally, a woman working in women’s rights and health. Talking to her one-on-one, I realized, ‘Wow, this is the place where I want to be.’”

Faith’s decision to apply to Johns Hopkins was deeply personal. As a member of the Distinguished Student Ambassador Program (DSAP), she had the opportunity to visit Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). That experience opened her eyes to the intersection of international diplomacy and public health, a passion rooted in her Nigerian heritage. “Coming from a developing country such as Nigeria, our healthcare system is not as good as it is in America. My own mother struggled a lot when she was giving birth because she didn’t have access to proper resources,” Faith shared.

How ILTexas Shaped Her Path

"If I hadn’t gone to ILTexas, I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience things like Lunar New Year or truly understand other cultures."

Faith credits ILTexas for preparing her for opportunities like Johns Hopkins. She highlights the ILTexas’ unique trilingual education as a key part of her personal growth. “Coming from a Nigerian background, I was always around my family and culture, but ILTexas gave me a broader perspective.”

Beyond academics, Faith has been an active member of several student organizations, including Student Council, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and Red Cross Club. “ILTexas really encouraged me to use my voice to make a difference,” she explained. “It only takes one person to make a change, and that’s something we learn in our leadership classes.”

Faith’s involvement in DSAP was also instrumental in shaping her aspirations. “Being in DSAP opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. I wasn’t really interested in political science or law before, but I realized there’s so much that goes into it. It’s easy to judge something from the outside, but once you really sit down and learn about it, you understand how important it is.”

Family, Inspiration, and Looking Ahead

“There was never any pressure—they always made me feel like their equal."

Faith comes from a family of high achievers and ILTexas alumni, with one brother attending Columbia University and another at Duke University. Despite their impressive accomplishments, Faith says she never felt pressure only encouragement.

For younger ILTexas students dreaming of attending top universities, Faith offers simple yet powerful advice: “Go out there. My freshman year, I stayed in my own circle, but by sophomore year, I realized I needed to get involved. I joined soccer, Student Council, NHS. If you’re scared, just give it a try. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn, or how you’ll grow.”
As she prepares for her next chapter, Faith remains committed to continuous learning and growth. “My father always tells me, ‘You have to learn, you have to continuously be a learner.  You can never stop learning, growing in your mind, your body, even your character and that's one of our missions here at ILTexas.”

Faith’s journey at ILTexas has been one of exploration, leadership, and transformation. As she moves forward, there’s no doubt she will continue to make an impact, just as she has throughout her time as an ILTexas Eagle. Congratulations, Faith! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish!
 

From the moment Amir Smith joined ILTexas halfway through his seventh-grade year, he was already on a trajectory toward greatness. Now, as a graduating senior from ILTexas Keller Saginaw High School, Amir is not only leaving a legacy of leadership and service but also stepping confidently into a future in public service.

“I want to be the change that I want to see.

Finding Opportunity Through Language

Amir’s family chose ILTexas primarily for its unique language programs, recognizing that fluency in Spanish and Chinese could open countless doors for him in the future. By the end of eighth grade, Amir had tested out of his freshman year, allowing him to start high school as a sophomore. Now, at just 16 years old, he is graduating a year early.

A Passion for Politics and Public Service

 

From early on, Amir immersed himself in extracurricular activities that aligned with his interests. He joined Texas Model United Nations in eighth grade and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest elected state officer for Texas Model UN. His leadership continued into high school, where he took on officer roles in Model UN and became deeply involved in student government. Over the past two years, Amir served as his grade’s representative, and this year, he proudly holds the title of Student Body President.

“Take advantage of every opportunity you get. And don’t be afraid to reach out to people that have done it before you.”
 

Amir’s passion for advocacy led him to co-found the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Student Association at ILTexas Keller Saginaw HS. Through this initiative, he and his peers successfully lobbied for the addition of an AAPI Heritage Month assembly, ensuring that diverse cultures were celebrated and recognized within the school community.

"One of the things I really love about ILTexas is that our assemblies and many of our initiatives are truly student-led."

 

 

ILTexas: A Launchpad for Success

Reflecting on his time at ILTexas, Amir credits the ILTexas's supportive environment for much of his success. He highlights the value of small class sizes, individualized attention, and student-led initiatives, which allowed him to grow as a leader and thinker. Programs like the Distinguished Student Ambassadors Program (DSAP) further fueled his aspirations, providing him with life-changing experiences such as meeting with the Department of Defense and other key policymakers in Washington, D.C.

“Going on that trip (DSAP) solidified the fact that I do want to go into public service, and I feel like that's also something that ILTexas really provides, like the idea of having and needing public service.

The Road Ahead

Amir has yet to announce his final college decision as he awaits responses from several prestigious universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia. Regardless of where he chooses to attend, one thing is certain: his future in public service is bright. 

Congratulations, Amir! Your ILTexas family is incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

 

What happens when 36 top-of-their-class seniors with a demonstrated interest in Diplomacy and International Relations have unprecedented access to U.S. foreign affairs leadership in D.C.?

For Distinguished Student Ambassador Program (DSAP) participants, it's the melding of next-level mentorship, comprehensive language immersion, and experiential leadership development.

 

 

In a recent trip to the nation's capital, students visited a wide variety of governmental organizations and landmarks, applying their classroom experiences to real-world opportunities for professional development. Stops during the first half of the trip included the U.S. Capitol, where they spent time with staffers from the offices of several national and Texas-based legislators, including Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Lance Gooden, and Rep. Henry Cuellar.

 

 

Applying their trilingual education while in D.C., DSAP participants also engaged with representatives at the Chinese Embassy to the U.S., including Minister Counselor Madam Shen Xuesong. Later in the week, they also ventured to the Embassy of Mexico in D.C., where Lourdes Zozaya and Maria Rodriguez addressed the group. Discussions covered topics such as immigration, the history of trade across North America (including NAFTA), and key policies influencing Mexican politics.

 

 

 

"Being an ILTexas student has allowed me to learn leadership and language skills that greatly prepared me for this trip. I think that my background in leadership made each of the speakers’ lessons resonate even more than it would have before," said Brienna McCafferty following the experience. McCafferty is a senior at ILTexas Keller-Saginaw High School. She, like the majority of DSAP participants, is a member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program at her home campus.

ILTexas' motto, "Others Before Self," resonated throughout the trip, with visits to the Pentagon and U.S. Naval Academy, focusing on careers in foreign affairs, public service, military leadership, and beyond. The D.C. Rotary club also welcomed the ambassadors for a lunch meeting with Sofia DeMarteno, Development Director at Boys Town, and Sheldon Ray, Sr. Vice President, Investments, at Raymond James.

 

Lieutenant General Charles Hooper (Ret.) addressed students visiting the Cohen Group, a government relations agency with a long-standing history supporting ILTexas. During their time at the U.S. Department of State, students met with Colin Crosby, Deputy Coordinator for Bilateral Affairs in the Office of China Coordination, and Judy Kuo, Director of the Office of Taiwan Coordination. Crosby and Kuo discussed diplomacy and international service, as well as the importance of both politicians and long-time public service professionals.

"I’m leaving with a new perspective on my future," said Faith Odungide, a senior at ILTexas Katy Westpark High School. As a former volunteer at Texas Children's Hospital, one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S., and a member of Red Cross for Youth, Odungide's interest in a career in global health brought her to DSAP.

Many resonated with the final leg of the trip, which included visits to Mount Zion Cemetary, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and the Holocaust Museum learn more about the impact of international events on foreign policy, military service, and public opinion. 

 

 

"This trip truly opened my eyes and helped me realize that I can change the world," said Gracie Shin. Healthcare accessibility, especially medication, is of particular interest to Shin, a senior at ILTexas Garland High School. Shin added, "All of the people we've encountered helped me see that it's not how you start, but how you end that matters."