Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Announces Finalists for 2026 Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Awards
ROCHESTER, NY (April 14, 2026) - Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the finalists for its 26th annual Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Awards, presented as part of its Women’s Council initiative. This scholarship program supports senior high school girls with the idea that young women with promise today will become tomorrow’s leaders
The 2026 scholarship award finalists are as follows:
- Annalecia Benner, Geneseo Central High School
- Haven Benz, Midlakes High School
- Jazmarie Cruz Rivera, Edison Career and Technology School
- Natalie Esposito, Churchville Chili High School
- Katie Falk, Gates Chili High School
- Maren Freece, Churchville Chili High School
- Brooklyn Jamison, The Harley School
- Harper Kuehne, Eastridge High School
- Nadia Lewis, World of Inquiry High School
- Yamilet Perez-Velazquez, Midlakes High School
- Sabrina Reyda, Our Lady of Mercy
- Bridget Ripstein, Alexander Central School
- Mia Rountree, East Rochester High School
- Lilah Sickles, Canandaigua Academy
- Laura Wood, Livonia High School
The four recipients, one each from the Rochester City School District, Monroe County–East, Monroe County–West, and the eight regional counties surrounding Monroe County, will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, May 4th. Greater Rochester Chamber is currently accepting corporate sponsorships and tax-deductible donations to support our students, as well as registrations for the ceremony.
“Congratulations to this year’s finalists – fifteen young women who are leading with excellence and creating a bright future for our shared region,” said Susan George, Events Director at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. “This year, all of our applications from throughout the region were excellent and showcased the innovative, resilient, and collaborative ways they are already having an impact on their communities. We are proud to present these annual scholarship awards again this year and help uplift each of these finalists for long-term future success.”
Modeled after the ATHENA Awards, the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Awards program is designed to discover high school seniors who have displayed outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and involvement in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region.
The Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Awards Program is supported in part by Greater Rochester Chamber Foundation.