Five Fantastic D.C. High School Graduates Earn $10,000 Milken Scholars Awards

Published 07/28/2026 in Program Updates

Written 07/28/2026

2026 class members embody “Lifelong Leaders for a Better World”

Santa Monica, Calif., (July 28, 2026) — Dedicating years of hard work to academics, extracurriculars, and community service landed five college-bound Washington, D.C., students a prestigious honor: the $10,000 Milken Scholars Award. As the 2026 Milken Scholars class, they will unlock a lifetime of valuable support in college, career and life.

The scholarship Program, a joint initiative of the Milken Institute and the Milken Family Foundation, honors high school seniors in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles County, and New York City each year with a $10,000 cash prize and lifelong access to college advising, career counseling, internship assistance, community service opportunities, and a fund to help with graduate school applications, unpaid internships, study abroad programs, and other costs associated with their career preparations.

The 2026 Washington, D.C., Milken Scholars are: 

• Jenny Chen, BASIS DC, Yale
• Jasmine Egamberdieva, BASIS DC, University of Virginia
• Ethan Michel, Maret School, Yale
• Dave Miguel-Contreras, Benjamin Banneker High School, The Catholic University of America
  
• Efraim Weaver, McKinley Technology High School, MIT

 A photo and biography are provided for each student below. Photos courtesy of the Milken Institute.

The Milken Scholars Program was established in 1989 by Mike and Lori Milken. After completing a rigorous nomination, application and interview process, Milken Scholars are selected based on academic performance, community service, leadership, and their ability to persevere in the face of personal challenges. Past recipients include inaugural poet Amanda Gorman; Ruben Harutunian, treasurer of the board of the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt and minister-counselor for public diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo; Dr. Joelle Simpson, chief of emergency medicine at Children’s National Hospital; and award-winning entrepreneur Emanuel Yekutiel.

“The members of the Milken Scholars Class of 2026 remind us that the future belongs to those who never stop learning,” said Mike Milken. “In a world being reshaped by new technologies and new opportunities, they have already demonstrated a record of achievement and intellectual curiosity that will serve them well throughout their lives. Lori and I are proud to welcome them into the Milken Scholars community and look forward to the contributions they will make in the years ahead.”

The Washington, D.C., Milken Scholar Alumni and community members will gather later this month to celebrate the 2026 Milken Scholars at an annual Recognition Ceremony. There, the Scholars will also attend a three-day summit, where they will join the full class of 2026 Milken Scholars as well as undergraduates and Alumni facilitators in fields across all industries. Students will gain insight and guidance from speakers, panels and activities surrounding the Summit theme, “Leading in a New Era,” and learn more about the support structure they will receive throughout their lives. Access to such resources creates a setting that prepares these exceptional youth to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals and, in the process, become “Lifelong Leaders for a Better World.”

A special highlight of the summit will be a visit to the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) on Pennsylvania Avenue, where Milken Scholars will find their stories and those of their peers featured throughout various exhibits.

Mike and Lori Milken founded the Milken Scholars Program to promote and assist exceptional youth as they navigate the transitions from high school to college and from college to graduate school or the world of work. Milken Scholars represent a variety of backgrounds, experiences and academic and professional interests, and are admitted to top colleges and universities. Twenty-four percent were born outside the U.S. and 79% have parents originating from 85 countries. More than half are first generation in their family to attend college, while 45% are the first person in their family to attend college in the U.S. The class of 2026 is significantly diverse, representing 14 countries spanning North America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, West Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

MEET THE 2026 D.C. MILKEN SCHOLARS

Jenny Chen
Yale

Motivated by a love of learning and a belief that education leads to opportunity, BASIS DC graduate Jenny Chen works tirelessly to strengthen communities and protect at-risk populations. Her passion for civic engagement led her to serve as a youth delegate on the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia High School Advisory Council, where she researched online teen exploitation, helped develop consumer protection policy recommendations and presented her team’s findings to the attorney general. Outside the classroom, Jenny channels her creativity into an online crochet business while working as a private tutor, helping middle school students strengthen academic skills and build confidence.

Jenny competed as a varsity policy debater through the Washington Urban Debate League and represented her school as a delegate to YMCA Youth and Government. She also served as vice president of the youth volunteer club, social media manager for the green club, and a peer tutor. A member of the National Honor Society, Jenny earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a College Board National Recognition Program honoree. She also received her school’s STEM, World Languages and Humanities awards while consistently earning Distinguished Honor Roll recognition.

As a youth advocate for the Young Women’s Project, she created a peer learning circle focused on mental health awareness and healthy coping strategies. She also served as a youth ambassador for Shoes for the Homeless, and organized a number of community service projects through her roles in National Honor Society and youth volunteer club.

Jenny will study economics at Yale and plans a career in law.

Jasmine Egamberdieva 
(eh-guhm-ber-DEE-vah)
University of Virginia

A champion for underserved communities, BASIS DC graduate Jasmine Egamberdieva uses her analytical thinking and leadership skills to create meaningful social impact. She founded Bloom Aid D.C., a chapter of Plover International dedicated to addressing period poverty through educational campaigns, fundraising and direct service. Under her leadership, the chapter has donated more than 7,000 menstrual pads and 200 bars of soap to local women’s shelters while raising awareness about menstrual equity. As a participant in YMCA’s Youth and Government program and simulation legislative weekend attendee, she successfully advanced a bill supporting mandated-free menstrual products in D.C. public bathrooms while defending it in mock trial debates against competing schools.

At BASIS DC, Jasmine earned a high honors diploma while balancing duties as senior patrol leader for Scouting America, where she developed leadership and outdoor skills before achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. She also competed in Science Olympiad, mentoring teammates in anatomy, physiology, engineering CAD (computer-aided design), and code busters. An AP Scholar with Distinction, American College Foundation Visionary Scholar and National Honor Society member, Jasmine also earned a place on the Distinguished Honor Roll throughout high school.

Beyond school, Jasmine dedicates herself to mentoring and serving others. She tutors preschool through 12th grade students at Mathnasium, and volunteers as a peer tutor for middle school students at BASIS DC. She also works as a cashier at a local produce stand where her Russian translation services benefit the community.

Jasmine will study business and economics at the University of Virginia and plans a career in investment management.

Ethan Michel
(mee-SHEL)
Yale

Ethan Michel is guided by a deep appreciation for democracy—believing that meaningful progress begins with respectful conversation and thoughtful leadership. The Maret School graduate has embodied these values his entire high school career, whether serving as a Maret admissions office student ambassador or facilitating Maret’s annual Day of Dialogue. Outside of school, he continued developing teamwork and discipline as a talented guitarist with the School of Rock, performing jazz music at local venues.

At Maret, Ethan served as secretary and treasurer of the student council and captain of the varsity soccer team. As a leader of the Black Student Union and the Handsome Black Men affinity group, he organized meetings, community-building events and Black History Month programming, including discussions focused on Black father-son relationships and opportunities for students to engage with guest speakers. His leadership consistently reflected his commitment to fostering inclusion, encouraging dialogue and strengthening school culture while serving as a role model for his peers.

Community service has remained a cornerstone of Ethan’s high school experience. He volunteered with Bethesda Soccer Club’s Buddy Camp, coaching youth with physical and developmental disabilities while helping to create an empowering, fun environment for participants to thrive. He has also supported the Opportunity Shop DC, assisting customers, organizing inventory and maintaining the nonprofit’s website to benefit the Christ Child Society. Whether mentoring young athletes, serving his community or creating spaces for meaningful conversation, Ethan strives to lead with humility, compassion and respect.

Ethan will study ethics, politics, and economics at Yale and plans a career in law.

Dave Miguel-Contreras 
The Catholic University of America

Benjamin Banneker High School (BBHS) graduate Dave Miguel-Contreras has been dedicated to unraveling how, and why, the world works. As a first-generation college student, he has embraced every opportunity to turn that curiosity into meaningful experiences for himself and others: his internship at College Bound directly supported fellow prospective college students and their journeys to campus. Whether coordinating college tours, conducting outreach or assisting with administrative projects, Dave’s work uplifted his peers while expanding his own knowledge of higher education. His commitment to educational access led him to write and deliver an award-winning Soapbox Speech on the challenges students face in the college admissions process.

Dave served as co-president of BBHS’ robotics club, collaborating with classmates to design robots and lead technical presentations. Fluent in English, Spanish and French, Dave was a member of BBHS’ Chinese club and the National French Honor Society. He is additionally an AP Scholar with Distinction, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society member.

As a volunteer with Capitol City Robotics’ SeaPerch program, he taught younger students how to solder, build circuits and engineer robots for aquatic missions. He also tutored kindergarten students through Seaton Elementary School’s after-school program and served as a teacher’s aide for Sacred Heart Church’s catechesis program, helping eighth graders prepare for Confirmation through lessons and group discussions.

Dave will study electrical engineering at The Catholic University of America and plans a career as a Formula 1 engineer. He will be the first in his family to attend college this fall.

Efraim Weaver
(EE-from)
MIT

Inspired by his multicultural upbringing and a commitment to cross-cultural allyship, Efraim Weaver dedicates himself to preserving history, expanding educational opportunities and using technology to strengthen underserved communities. As an AI research intern at The Catholic University of America, Efraim developed models to monitor drone footage, identify sea turtle nests, and detect poachers in Ghana. He also completed an internship with Hello Tractor, where he helped build an AI chatbot to support employees and lay the foundation for future agronomic assistance for rice farmers.

A McKinley Technology High School graduate, Efraim founded and served as president of the African Intelligence Club, where he recruited board members, fundraised and helped relaunch Ghana’s National Computing Olympiad after a 13-year hiatus. His efforts helped return Ghana to the International Olympiad in Informatics in 2025, earning him a youth leadership recognition from the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence. A National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor and National Honor Society member, Efraim also was selected as a Cornell Engineering Catalyst Academy Scholar, Diamond Challenge Business Plan semifinalist and Blacks at Microsoft mentee. Fluent in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, he embraces learning across cultures and disciplines.

As a lifetime ambassador with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Bringing the Lessons Home program, he completed an intensive study of Holocaust history, guided museum tours, and interviewed survivors. As a LearnServe International Fellow, he co-designed a peer-support venture for neurodiverse teenagers, and practices Afro-Brazilian capoeira.

Efraim will study computer science at MIT and plans a career in social entrepreneurship.

About the Milken Scholars

Michael and Lori Milken founded the Milken Scholars in 1989 to honor exceptional young individuals who have demonstrated the potential to make a profound difference in the world. Scholars are chosen while high school seniors on the basis of distinguished academic performance, school and community service, leadership, and evidence of having overcome personal, financial, and/or social obstacles. Milken Scholars receive financial assistance plus a strong support system of resources and networks during their academic and professional careers. For more information, visit www.MilkenScholars.org.

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