2026 Student Scholars
Audrey Badia
High School: Bassick High School
Future College & Major: Sacred Heart University, Nursing
Audrey Badia is a driven, compassionate, and team-oriented student who is on track to graduate as Bassick High School’s valedictorian. Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Audrey developed an early interest in healthcare after seeing positive representations of nurses as a child, inspiring her to pursue a career dedicated to compassionate patient care. Throughout high school, she has consistently earned First Honors, competed in track and field, and demonstrated exceptional leadership both in and out of the classroom. Audrey is also an environmental advocate and entrepreneur, operating a sustainable crochet business in partnership with the Wakeman Center that creates handmade products from recycled materials. She values teamwork, patient advocacy, and lifelong learning, believing that every patient deserves to feel safe, heard, and respected. Audrey looks forward to earning her nursing degree at Sacred Heart University and building a career centered on collaboration, excellence, and improving the lives of those in her community.
Latavia Kailee Brown
High School: Central Magnet High School
Future College & Major: Housatonic Community College, Nursing
Latavia Kailee Brown is an ambitious, compassionate, and highly accomplished student-athlete with a passion for serving others through healthcare. She has excelled academically, earning a 95% in her college-level Honors Advanced Anatomy and Physiology course while balancing athletics and leadership activities. Latavia competes in track and field, cheers, and serves as a peer tutor through the National Honor Society, demonstrating her commitment to supporting both classmates and her community. Her interest in nursing began at a young age while watching family members care for others and helping her grandmother look after neighborhood children. As a volunteer at Bridgeport Hospital, she gained valuable experience assisting patients in Interventional Radiology and patient transport, strengthening her appreciation for compassionate, patient-centered care. Latavia plans to become a pediatric nurse, combining her love for children with a career focused on providing comfort, emotional support, and exceptional care to young patients and their families.
Trisia Clarke
High School: The Bridge Academy
Future College & Major: Eastern Connecticut State University, Nursing
Trisia Clarke is a dedicated, compassionate, and academically accomplished student whose lifelong passion for caring for others has inspired her pursuit of a nursing career. A straight-A student known for her strong work ethic and collaborative spirit, Trisia has balanced academic excellence with significant family responsibilities, helping support her mother and care for her younger sibling following the loss of her father. Active in her church community, she enjoys singing and dancing while giving back through service and fellowship. Inspired by her mother’s dedication as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Trisia developed a deep appreciation for the difference healthcare professionals can make in the lives of patients and families. She plans to attend Eastern Connecticut State University before continuing her education to earn both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Her ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, providing compassionate, advanced care to children and their families.
Cristhofer Cuji Gomez
High School: Central High School
Future College & Major: University of Bridgeport, Pre-Medicine
Cristhofer Cuji Gomez is a focused, resilient, and determined student whose experiences have shaped his passion for medicine and serving others. After immigrating to the United States at a young age, he overcame language and cultural barriers while maintaining Second Honors and challenging himself academically through courses including AP Psychology and Advanced Anatomy. His personal experience struggling to access dermatological care inspired his goal of becoming a dermatologist dedicated to helping young people overcome both medical concerns and communication barriers. Beyond the classroom, Cristhofer has demonstrated initiative and entrepreneurship by creating and operating a mobile ice cream business serving local events and beaches. He also volunteers through community environmental cleanup and recycling initiatives, reflecting his commitment to giving back. As he begins his studies in pre-medicine at the University of Bridgeport, Cristhofer hopes to combine scientific excellence with compassionate, culturally responsive patient care.
Crystal Ortiz
High School: Bullard-Havens Technical High School
Future College & Major: Sacred Heart University, Nursing (BSN)
Crystal Ortiz is a resilient, compassionate, and accomplished first-generation Puerto Rican student who has excelled academically while balancing significant family responsibilities, including serving as a primary caregiver for her grandmother. Ranked eighth in her graduating class, Crystal has built a strong foundation for a career in nursing through meaningful hands-on experiences, including volunteering at Bridgeport Hospital and the East Side Senior Center, participating in Sacred Heart University’s Summer Nursing Immersion Program, and earning certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She has also demonstrated outstanding leadership as Vice President of the National Honor Society, a member of the Student Council Executive Board, and a participant in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy. Crystal plans to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Sacred Heart University before pursuing a career in obstetrics or oncology nursing, where she hopes to provide compassionate, knowledgeable care during some of the most significant moments in her patients’ lives.