United Community is proud to recognize the 2026 Valencourt Scholars
United Community is proud to recognize the 2026 Valencourt Scholars—five exceptional students who are continuing their education and pursuing meaningful career goals.
Representing the three high schools that serve the Route One communities, this year’s scholars have demonstrated determination, resilience, and a strong commitment to building brighter futures for themselves and others. Their academic interests range from healthcare and environmental engineering to international business, kinesiology, and dentistry.
Bryant Alternative High School
Malika Mehrzad will attend Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), where she plans to pursue a degree in nursing. Inspired by a desire to help others, Malika hopes to use her education and future career to make a positive impact in her community.
Mount Vernon High School
Jesus Jimenez Acevedo will attend the University of Virginia to pursue a degree in environmental engineering. Throughout high school, Jesus worked every summer to help fund his educational goals, demonstrating an inspiring level of dedication and perseverance.
Ethan Alexander Santos will attend James Madison University, where he plans to major in international business. He hopes to combine his business skills with a global perspective as he prepares for his future career.
Sarahi Garcia Romero will begin her second year at George Mason University, where she is majoring in kinesiology. Her continued commitment to her education brings her another step closer to achieving her professional goals.
West Potomac High School
Karen Meliza Nunez Rubio will attend Virginia Tech, where she plans to follow a pre-dentistry track with the goal of becoming a dentist. As the oldest of three children, Karen held multiple part-time jobs throughout high school to help pay for college—a testament to her strong work ethic, responsibility, and determination.
The Valencourt Fund also continues to support past scholarship recipients who remain enrolled as full-time college students. Although these returning scholars are not listed here because they have previously been recognized, the fund’s ongoing support helps them continue working toward graduation and their long-term goals.
Congratulations to Malika, Jesus, Ethan, Sarahi, and Karen. We are proud to celebrate all they have accomplished and look forward to seeing the many ways they will use their education, talents, and experiences to strengthen their communities.
About the Valencourt Scholarship: For more than a decade, the Valencourt Scholarship Fund has opened doors to higher education, vocational training, and career advancement for young people along the Route 1 corridor. Established in 2013 through a generous estate gift of more than $312,000 from Lois A. Valencourt, the fund supports deserving graduates of Bryant Alternative, Mount Vernon, and West Potomac high schools as they pursue community college, four-year degrees, career certifications, and trade programs.
