Scholarship Program

SEATTLE — Democrats for Diversity & Inclusion (DDI) proudly announced the recipients of its inaugural $1,500 Annual Academic Scholarship, honoring three high school seniors who exemplify the values of equity, leadership, and civic engagement.

Renton High School senior Zainab Asker was selected as the 2025 Scholarship Winner

for her outstanding commitment to inclusive healthcare and community empowerment. Asker, who will attend the University of Washington this fall, participated in the Health Point Health Scholars program, where she explored how systemic disparities impact health outcomes in underserved communities.

“I do not want to be the exception in the room. I want to be part of a shift where the room looks different in the first place,” Asker wrote in her application. “Where opportunity isn’t mistaken for generosity, and inclusion isn’t conditional on staying quiet.”

Two semifinalists were also recognized for their contributions to inclusive leadership and youth political engagement:

• Benjamin Godfried, a senior at West Seattle High School and the school’s first Asian American ASB president, will attend the University of Washington. He earned recognition for transforming student government into a platform for cultural celebration and civic inclusion.

• Jonnika Senha Kwon, a Holy Names Academy senior heading to Georgetown University, co-led the 2024 Young Leaders Summit with Rep. Osman Salahuddin. The event brought together over 100 youth and 20 elected officials, amplifying young
voices in state-level political discourse.

• Adreanna Jean Wood attended Garfield High School in Seattle, where she was an active member of the Black Student Union. With a background that is both African American and European, she has experience navigating and connecting diverse cultural environments. Her long-term aspiration is to pursue a career as a surgeon.

The DDI Scholarship supports local high school seniors pursuing higher education at a twoor four-year institution. This year’s recipients reflect DDI’s mission to promote representation of people of color, minorities, and individuals from historically
disenfranchised communities in public life.

“Our students are not just future leaders — they are leading now,” said the DDI Scholarship Committee. “This scholarship exists to recognize that, and to reaffirm our commitment to elevating the voices that will shape the future of our democracy.”

DDI welcomes community members to participate in its ongoing efforts to support
equitable representation. The organization hosts monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. PT via Zoom (moved to Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). For more information about Democrats for Diversity & Inclusion or the scholarship program, visit Democrats for Diversity & Inclusion