Five Baltimore City high school seniors surprised with full-tuition scholarships to McDaniel

Malver Canales, who is ranked second in his senior class, is a self-proclaimed nerd who was introduced to chess by his tenth-grade teacher. He is now captain of the chess team and placed fourth in the 2024 Maryland State Chess Championships. He also teaches younger students about chess through the AP Summer Academy. Additionally, he is a member of the track and cross-country programs at Douglass. 

Canales is part of Building STEPS (Science, Technology and Education Partnerships), which supports Baltimore City students looking to go into STEM careers, and he is currently completing an internship with Bank of America through his participation in Urban Alliance. He credits his supportive teachers in helping him maximize his high school experience and for showing him that by making the right choices, more opportunities can open up.

Ace Foly Ehke is enrolled in Poly’s AP capstone program, which is focused on growing skills in research, collaboration, and communication. Foly Ehke is a member of the National Honor Society and historian for GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance). They volunteer at the school library and as a Planned Parenthood peer educator.

Foly Ehke has also participated in the MERIT Health Leadership Academy and serves on MERIT’s Leadership Council. Through MERIT, they became interested in neuroscience after spending summers and Saturdays learning about the healthcare industry through internships and research projects.

Skye Hammond believes to grow as a person, one must try new things and be willing to be uncomfortable. At Western, she is a class officer, member of the National Honor Society and community engagement club, as well as involved with the school newspaper.

An aspiring nurse, Hammond was a youth ambassador for VALUE Baltimore, helping to provide community health information and education about the COVID-19 vaccine. She also completed a paid internship as a Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) Fellow at Mercy Medical Center, where she discovered a passion for labor and delivery. 

Zoe Saunders is an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, who has been involved in her school’s theatre productions. In addition to being ranked second in her senior class, she is president of the Student Government Association and an ambassador for her school. She also founded the Dungeons and Dragons club.

Saunders, who enjoys writing and reading comics, completed a summer internship with CHARM: Voice of Baltimore Youth at The Ivy Bookshop. She also participated in the Beautillion-Cotillion, which includes a series of workshops and social programs, through the Baltimore alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She works part-time and is a Sunday school teacher.

Jazzy Blessett is among the top 10% of her graduating class at Patterson. She is the Student Government Association class president and is involved with her school’s theatre productions and school newspaper. She also plays the snare drum in the marching band. Additionally, she is a member of the tennis team and participates in the Jonathan Ogden club, named after former Baltimore Ravens Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, which supports student-athletes with developing leadership and life skills.

Blessett was elected to the Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City, a city-wide student government organization, and completed an internship with the Department of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins. She also works part-time. Her teachers and counselors point out her leadership skills, passion for equity, and relentless pursuit of knowledge as her strongest traits.