At ILTexas Aggieland High School, senior Maya Geva has never been one to shy away from a challenge or an opportunity. From playing sports to founding campus clubs and earning one of Texas A&M’s most competitive scholarships, Maya’s high school journey has been defined by excellence, ambition, and service.

This fall, Maya will be attending Texas A&M University with plans to major in Biomedical Engineering and pursue a double major in Political Science. She’s currently working with both departments to make this ambitious academic path a reality. Her motivation stems from a deep love of science, sparked in her AP Biology class, and a growing interest in global affairs and public service, which blossomed through her experiences at ILTexas

“I decided on biomedical engineering after taking AP Bio," she shared. “But after I went to DSAP and I participated more in Model UN, I realized political science is something I’m really interested in.” 

Clubs, Competitions, and Capital Visits

Outside the classroom, Maya’s high school résumé reads like a college admissions dream. She’s been:

• President of the National Honor Society
• Vice President of her senior class
• A four-year member of Student Council
• Softball player
• DSAP - Selected Student
• A founding member of the Debate Club
• Part of Chess Club
• And a fierce competitor in Model UN, which recently took her to an international competition in New York City.

Earning the Welch Scholarship

Maya was recently named a recipient of the Welch Scholars Program, a prestigious, needs-based and merit-driven scholarship awarded through Texas A&M. After applying for scholarships through the university, Maya’s standout ACT score and academic record helped her rise to the top of the selection process.

“I think that ILTexas offers a lot of opportunities for students to get advanced in certain subjects,  and I think that that's really a reason why I got a perfect score on my Math ACT.”

Indeed, Maya’s advanced placement in math began in sixth grade when she joined ILTexas College Station K-8. She quickly tested out of her grade-level math and advanced to Pre-Calculus at the local community college, eventually earning a perfect ACT Math score, a testament to ILTexas’ academic flexibility and student-first mindset.

Leadership on Campus and Beyond

Maya has worn many hats at ILTexas. She’s served as Vice President of her class, President of the National Honor Society, and a four-year member of Student Council. She’s also played for the softball team since her freshman year and helped start the campus Debate Club, which later evolved into a full-fledged academic course.

But her involvement in Model United Nations stands out as one of the most defining experiences of her high school career.

“We recently raised $12,000 to go to an international competition in New York City,” she said. “We won Best Small Delegation.”

She’s equally proud of being a part of the DSAP (Distinguished Student Ambassador Program), where she engaged with professionals from national intelligence and foreign policy sectors in Washington, D.C.

“Meeting with people at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was incredibly impactful,” she said. “Hearing from organizations you usually never get access to, it gave me a whole new perspective.”

Mentors Who Made an Impact

Maya credits much of her success to two ILTexas teachers: Ms. Donaldson, her Model UN sponsor and Diplomacy teacher, and Mr. Caryl, her math teacher.

“She went with us to New York City. She supported us entirely in our funding process. So we raised over $12,000 together as a team, with her support.”  She also praised Mr. Carl for his hands-on, collaborative approach to teaching.

“Our class has only six people, and so we have a very strong, tight, knit community, and we work through the problems collectively. It's not just here, memorize a formula, but it's more so here is the reason why we use this, and I think that, honestly, it's just one of the best ways to be taught.”

Prepared for the World

When asked how ILTexas prepared her for the next chapter, Maya pointed to the school’s trilingual curriculum and global perspective.

“We get such a diverse and inclusive community at ILTexas, with the learning of the three languages and the learning of the different leadership styles around the world, I feel like in that way, ILTexas has prepared me to come into any situation with an open mind and to be excited about what comes next.”

As Maya steps into the next chapter of her academic journey, her story reflects the very heart of ILTexas’s mission:

Preparing students for exceptional leadership roles in the international community by emphasizing servant leadership, mastering the English, Spanish, and Chinese languages, and strengthening the mind, body, and character.