This year, we are excited and proud to celebrate a major milestone for EMERGE students. In October, 40 EMERGE seniors were named QuestBridge Finalists, a tremendous honor. QuestBridge is one of the most competitive college scholarship programs in the country, and being chosen as a Finalist shows outstanding academic success, leadership, and resilience.
From those 40 Finalists, 16 EMERGE seniors were matched to top colleges through the 2025 QuestBridge National College Match. This means each student earned a full four-year scholarship that covers tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, and travel with no loans, and no parent contribution required.
Our Program Managers (PMs) walk alongside students throughout the entire process, offering coaching, encouragement, and expert guidance.
“Our students worked so hard for this moment, and I am incredibly proud of each one of them. The QuestBridge Match shows what is possible when students have strong support systems and believe in their own potential. These matches reflect the promise our students carry and the bright futures they are building for themselves, their families, and their communities.” – Daya Cozzolino, EMERGE Managing Director of College Access
Our 2025 QuestBridge Match Scholars
HISD
- Moriah Franklin (Challenge Early) matched to Wellesley College. PM: Carolina Castillo
- Carlos Paiz (Chavez) matched to Washington University in St. Louis. PM: Carolina Castillo
- Luis Villela (Chavez) matched to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). PM: Carolina Castillo
- Nhat Tran (Chavez) matched to Boston University. PM: Carolina Castillo
- Mary Mai (Sharpstown International) matched to Colby College. PM: Gladis Rodriguez
- Raymond Lenh (Sharpstown International) matched to Carleton College. PM: Gladis Rodriguez
- Kesena Orette (Westside High School) matched to Washington University in St. Louis. PM: DeVonta Lee
- Kaylyn Newcomb (Challenge Early) matched to Rice University. PM: Daya Cozzolino
- Alejandro Olmos (Carnegie Vanguard High School) matched to MIT. PM: Jess Hernandez
Aldine ISD
- David Marmolejo (Blanson CTE High School) matched to Stanford University. PM: DJ Johnson
- Jessica Palomo (Blanson CTE High School) matched to University of Richmond. PM: DJ Johnson
Klein ISD
- Ana-Nicole Toaca (Klein Collins High School) matched to University of Pennsylvania. PM: Andrea Pedraza
- Diana Villatoro (Klein Collins High School) matched to Princeton University. PM: Andrea Pedraza
- Ahad Rahman (Klein Forest High School) matched to Rice University. PM: Jess Hernandez
- Johnathan Nguyen (Klein Forest High School) matched to Stanford University. PM: Jess Hernandez
- Santiago Manrique (Klein High School) matched to Emory University. PM: Jess Hernandez
How This Connects to EMERGE’s Mission
These results reflect EMERGE’s mission to partner with high-achieving students from low-income communities so they can attend, thrive, and graduate from top-tier colleges and universities. Our goal is to help students become leaders in their communities and build strong pathways to economic mobility.
Our students’ success is the result of hard work, strong relationships, and the belief that they deserve every opportunity available to them. We could not be more proud of what they have achieved.
To learn more about QuestBridge and its programs, visit questbridge.org.
We are sure more great news is still to come during QuestBridge Regular Decision this spring.
Congratulations to all of our scholars. You inspire our entire EMERGE community!
Apply to EMERGE
Inspired by our QuestBridge Match Scholars? EMERGE is now accepting applications for the Class of 2028.
Current high school sophomores who are high-achieving and motivated are encouraged to apply.
EMERGE partners with students from low-income communities and supports them as they prepare for college and beyond.
Application window: December 2025 through February 16, 2026
Learn more and apply at: emergescholars.org/recruitment