Celebrating our Students
Annual WCIA Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
In 2026, WCIA & Love U To Life were excited scholarships to these four members of the Wyoming Class of 2026.
Laila Lear‘s is an individual whose passion for diversity and inclusion is inspiring. She takes the stance that inclusion is not about making someone fit into a space; it’s about making the space wide enough for everyone to belong. She understands that leadership is about empathy, and it is ok to be uniquely who you are and that everyone matters. Her discipline, patience, gentle heart, and commitment to helping others shine as she juggles responsibilities of being a student, a Delta Gem, and a volunteer for a variety of health fairs in Greater Cincinnati, including the NAACP Health Fair, Closing the Health Gap Fair, and the Urban League of SW Ohio COVID Clinic. We are confident that she will continue to be a trailblazer in her studies at Louisiana State University. Congratulations to Laila on being a recipient of the WCIA Community Service Award.
Andre Woods understands the true meaning of leadership. He has made concerted efforts to create a safe and nurturing environment for classmates and teammates. He embodies the qualities of a compassionate, understanding, empathetic leader who sets clear boundaries while maintaining space for selfcare. He is a volunteer for WCIA. He will be attending Shawnee State University. Congratulations to Andre on being a recipient of the WCIA Community Service Award.
Maanya Mehrotra understands the importance of having a safe third space to decompress when life can be suffocating and everything becomes static. She found healthy ways to decompress rather than, in her words, “scrolling through struggles”. She finds solitude grounding, such as spending time in the park and engaging in art. She is a volunteer at ArtsConnect, the Ronald McDonald House, and Wyoming High School Model Nations Summer Camp. We stand confident that she will be successful in her studies at The Ohio State University. We were honored to present Maanya with the Beau Strong Award.
Ben Xu understands compassion, empathy, and the importance of family. Understanding that the game Monopoly is like life, it provided a greater understanding that everyone does not have the same resources, and to be grateful for what you have. This individual volunteers for May Fete and Capernaum, being a buddy for those with special needs who want to learn about God, a true reflection of his genuine passion for helping others. His compassionate nature, altruistic spirit, empathy, and social responsibility make him a strong role model to those he encounters. In confidence, we feel that he will be successful in in his future studies at the University of Cincinnati. We were honored to present Ben with the Beau Strong Award.
The WCIA Community Service Award is a recognition of the service and dedication that individuals made to make our community better. The message that WCIA want youth to remember is that it is our responsibility to leave the world better than we found it and to not only be the voice of change but be the change. This award is given to students who have participated and lead service activities in the community with a special emphasis on social justice.
The Beau Strong Award is a special award named after a Wyoming High School alum. While he had a warm and inviting smile accompanied by a positive and infectious personality, sometimes he struggled with his mental wellness. The message that his mother wants youth to remember is that your parents/caregivers are more in love with you than they are in love with anything else. Make sure you make your needs known to them or another trusted adult. You are not alone. This award given to students who articulated and demonstrated the importance of mental wellness and resiliency in the face of adversity.
These scholarships can be used for any kind of post-secondary education – including community college, vocational programs, certificate programs, a four-year program at a college or university and more.
