The largest and most prestigious local high school award scholarship program in Palm Beach and Martin counties, the Pathfinder Awards, were announced May 8, highlighting the achievements of more than 70 members of the Class of 2026.
The Pathfinder scholarship program, operated through the non-profit The Pathfinder Scholarship Fund, was founded in 1984 to honor the region’s top students.
Since its inception, more than 20,000 students have been nominated by their schools for Pathfinder recognition and $4.5 million in scholarships has been issued to more than 2,800 students.
The awards, totaling $139,500 this year, are issued in 18 categories. Winners in each category receive $3,000, second place receives $2,000, third place $1,500 and fourth place $1,250. Additionally, two other scholarships were announced, one from Executive Women of the Palm Beaches and the other from SunFest of Palm Beach County.
Academic Excellence
First: Daniela Staton – American Heritage SchoolSecond: Cecily Mendelson – Dreyfoos School of the ArtsThird: Adriana Ramirez-Delgado – Glades Central High SchoolFourth: Kaitlin Parungao – William T. Dwyer High School
Art
First: Clover Haddad – American Heritage SchoolSecond: Mara Popa – Dreyfoos School of the ArtsThird: Nina Puma – Jensen Beach High SchoolFourth: Zaphon Estime – Santaluces High School
Business
First: Kyle Weinstock – Spanish River High SchoolSecond: Andrew Vladimir – FAU High SchoolThird: Theodore Smail – Jensen Beach High SchoolFourth: Kadyn Dent – Park Vista High School
Career and Technical Education
First: Eitan Farbstein – RHS at Donna Klein Jewish AcademySecond: David Zapata – American Heritage SchoolThird: Shimaaz Shahrin – Suncoast High SchoolFourth: Yara Ramadan – Boca Raton High School
Communications
First: Isabella Huntley – G-Star School of the ArtsSecond: Sienna Sossi – Dreyfoos School of the ArtsThird: Margaret Kniskern – Saint Andrew’s SchoolFourth: Ana Lema – Spanish River High School
Community Involvement
First: Francisco Sandoval – Dr. Joaquin Garcia High SchoolSecond: Lisvery Garcia-Avelar – John I. Leonard High SchoolThird: Magenaide Louis – Suncoast High SchoolFourth: Sydney Spears – Martin County High School
Computer Engineering and Technology
First: Siyuan Du – American Heritage SchoolSecond: Nidhi Begur – FAU High SchoolThird: Varun Singh – South Fork High SchoolFourth: Alexandra Hill – Spanish River High School
Forensics/Speech
First: Ella Morey – Martin County High SchoolSecond: Naika Placide – FAU High SchoolThird: Caitlin Yaralli – American Heritage SchoolFourth: Venkat Kishor – Dreyfoos School of the Arts
History/Political Science
First: Nikol Astakhova – American Heritage SchoolSecond: Sonya Ulman – South Fork High SchoolThird: Dennis Crowley – West Boca Raton High SchoolFourth: Rylee Schwimmer – Spanish River High School
Literature
First: Zya Chow – Wellington High SchoolSecond: Cali Anderson – John I. Leonard High SchoolThird: Jaxen Markley – Jensen Beach High SchoolFourth: Sophia Zmed – West Boca Raton High School
Mathematics
First: Marvin Gao – Spanish River High SchoolSecond: Scarlett Huang – Dreyfoos School of the ArtsThird: Sonya Singh – American Heritage SchoolFourth: Yingjia Yang – Saint Andrew’s School
Music/Instrumental
First: Mathew Harper – Dreyfoos School of the ArtsSecond: Marcelo Salas – American Heritage SchoolThird: James Wandtke – Cardinal Newman High SchoolFourth: Zane Price – Jensen Beach High School
Music/Vocal
First: Miriam Smith – American Heritage SchoolSecond: Mallory Goddard – Martin County High SchoolThird: Anthony Tran – Park Vista High SchoolFourth: Zuriel Abreu – Lake Worth Christian School
Reach for Excellence
First: Katherine Hanssen – Jupiter High SchoolSecond: Lauryn Muller – American Heritage SchoolThird: Chance Spector – The King’s AcademyFourth: Elise Hopkins – Clark Advanced Learning Center
Science
First: Aishwarya Deshpande – American Heritage SchoolSecond: Colin Quinn – Suncoast High SchoolThird: Kevin Wu – Park Vista High SchoolFourth: Madeline Parr – Jensen Beach High School
Sports
First: Katelyn O’Brien – Boca Raton High SchoolSecond: Madelyn Bussom – Martin County High SchoolThird: Mia Kruspe – Lake Worth Christian SchoolFourth: Andrew Lamm – The Greene School
Theater Arts
First: Jacob Quartell – G-Star School of the ArtsSecond: Cleon Diosana – Palm Beach Lakes High SchoolThird: Keira Harper – Suncoast High SchoolFourth: Isis Secor – Seminole Ridge High School
World Language
First: Sage Ponchock – The Benjamin SchoolSecond: Vincent Ziemerink – Suncoast High SchoolThird: Ariana Cruz – West Boca Raton High SchoolFourth: Kirsten Maarsingh – Wellington High SchoolAlso handed out:
Executive Women of the Palm Beaches in memory of Harreen Bertisch
Sabrina Greenberg – Saint Andrews School
SUNFEST Music Scholarship
John-Louis Malcynski – Park Vista High School
Sonja Isger is The Palm Beach Post education and features editor. She can be reached at sisger@pbpost.com. Support local journalism by Subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Pathfinder Awards winners announced with seniors landing $140,000
Reporting by Sonja Isger, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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