36 Flinn Scholarship Finalists advance to final interview

January 29, 2025

By brianpowell

More than 1,100 Arizona high-school seniors applied last fall for the 2025 Flinn Scholarship.

Today, 36 students from 35 high schools in 10 counties advance as Flinn Scholarship Finalists to a March interview at the Flinn Foundation with an opportunity for a full ride to an Arizona public university.

About 20 students will be selected as Flinn Scholars and earn Arizona’s most competitive merit-based college scholarship.

The Flinn Scholarship, now in its 40th year, is valued at more than $135,000 and covers tuition, housing, meals, and at least two study abroad experiences in partnership with Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona.

The Flinn Scholars Class of 2025 will be announced in April.

The Finalists were selected following virtual interviews Jan. 22-23. In the coming weeks, the students will visit the three state universities and their Honors colleges.

The 78 previously announced Semifinalists, including the Finalists, who are not named Flinn Scholars will each receive a $15,000 per year scholarship if they choose to attend ASU, NAU or U of A.

Anne Lassen, Flinn Foundation vice president, scholarship and education initiatives, said meeting this year’s Semifinalists was energizing. “What truly sets them apart is how they’ve already begun making meaningful impacts in their communities.

“Whether they’re volunteering to address local challenges or leading initiatives supporting their peers, these students exemplify the kind of leadership and commitment to service that the Flinn Scholarship represents,” Lassen said.

Only one school, Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, has more than one Finalist.

The Class of 2025 Flinn Scholarship Finalists, including their county, school and city of residence:

Coconino County

Cindy Huang, BASIS Flagstaff, Flagstaff


Greenlee County

Roselyn Dorrell, Morenci High School, Clifton


Maricopa County

Adam Bedeir, BASIS Phoenix, Paradise Valley
Cianna Brooks, Sunrise Mountain High School, Peoria
Maya Ysabella Bustos, Sandra Day O’Connor High School, Phoenix
Pravneet Chadha, Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix
Ashton Dolce, BASIS Scottsdale, Phoenix
Evelyn Frost, Campo Verde High School, Gilbert
Eliut Gonzalez, Glenview College Preparatory High School, Phoenix
Joshua Harris, Lincoln Preparatory Academy, Chandler
Oliver Hoerth, Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix
Alexis Kelley, Red Mountain High School, Mesa
Vinesh Kothari, BASIS Mesa, Gilbert
Iulia Musat, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale
Jishnu Nayak, Arizona College Prep High School, Gilbert
Sage Schaffer, Madison Highland Prep, Phoenix
Smilangi Sidhugari, BASIS Chandler, Gilbert
Rati Tabatadze, Gilbert Classical Academy, Tempe
Sudeep Vattikuti, BASIS Peoria, Peoria
Johanna Villanueva, Marcos de Niza High School, Tempe
Nandini Warrier, Paradise Valley High School, Scottsdale
Emma Xi, Hamilton High School, Chandler
Aidan Yu, Corona del Sol High School, Chandler
Alejandro Zayas Abril, Heritage Academy-Mesa, Mesa


Mohave County

Jacob Batty, Kingman Academy of Learning, Kingman


Navajo County

Grace Smithson, Blue Ridge High School, Pinetop-Lakeside


Pima County

Tae Esperanza Cooper, Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning, Tucson
Fox Foster, Catalina Foothills High School, Tucson
Katherine Lam, University High School, Tucson
Jeanette Mendoza, Sunnyside High School, Tucson
Avery-Shalom Valencia, Pueblo High School, Tucson
Johnny Yu, BASIS Tucson North, Tucson


Pinal County

Mario Aleman, Queen Creek High School, San Tan Valley


Santa Cruz County

Jazmine Rendon, Nogales High School, Nogales


Yavapai County

Malia Hirasa, Prescott High School, Prescott


Yuma County

Isabella Duenas, Cibola High School, Yuma


Read more: 78 Arizona seniors named 2025 Flinn Scholarship Semifinalists