NWFCU Foundation’s Aspire Higher Scholarship Program celebrates local students
- The Reston Letter Staff
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Contributed by NWFCU Foundation
The Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation has named three students from Reston and Herndon to its Aspire Higher Class of 2026, awarding scholarships that recognize academic achievement, leadership and community service.
This year, the foundation awarded $170,000 in scholarships to 32 students across the region. Since 2005, it has awarded more than $2.6 million to 500 students. Recipients were honored June 18 at the annual Aspire Higher Scholarship Breakfast.
Herndon High School seniors Selah Haywood-Philbert and Jamison Daly were among the scholarship recipients. Haywood-Philbert, an AP and honors student and captain of the Herndon Step Team, plans to study neuroscience at the University of Toronto before pursuing a career as a physician. Daly, a varsity athlete and member of several honor societies, will attend the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets to study biological sciences and plans to become an Army Medical Corps physician.
South Lakes High School's Ethan Ham also received a scholarship. The National Honor Society member and artist plans to study fine arts with a concentration in animation.
Also recognized was 2025 scholarship recipient James Butlin of South Lakes, who returned to this year's breakfast as a guest speaker, sharing his experiences in leadership, service and advocacy with the new recipients.
"The Aspire Higher Scholarship is about more than financial support," said Taralyn Tharp Kohler, foundation director. "It is about recognizing students who lead with purpose, give back to their communities and are committed to building a better future."
Applications for the 2027 Aspire Higher Scholarship Program open Oct. 15.