Each year, we are honored to celebrate young changemakers who embody what it means to Spread The Love Forward. These incredible students have not only shown dedication to their academics but have also gone above and beyond in their communities, on the field, and in their personal lives.
We’re proud to announce the 2025 Spread The Love Forward Scholarship Recipients—five students who inspire us with their dreams, resilience, and passion to make the world a better place.
Meet the Spread The Love Forward Scholarship Winners
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Caroline Rodriguez
Park High School
Caroline will be attending Gateway Technical College to study Biomedical Science with plans to transfer to a university and become a doctor.
A committed athlete, Caroline played soccer throughout high school, balancing academics and sports with admirable drive.
Siroun Buchaklain
Horlick High School
Siroun is headed to university with plans to double major in Business Management and Economics. Her ultimate goal? To hold a leadership position in a major corporation and help influence corporate strategies that balance profit with purpose.
She was the captain of her varsity tennis team, played soccer, and maintained honor roll and scholar athlete status—all while holding a job.
“My goal is to lead with the kind of love that sees strength in difference, that listens to silenced voices, and that recognizes the power of every story. I believe that when we center love in the way we build our world, we create systems where no one is forgotten or left behind. That is what spreading the love forward looks like to me: turning inherited love into justice, dignity, and opportunity for others.”
Luis Garcia
Case High School
Luis will be attending UW-Milwaukee to pursue a degree in Political Science. His goal is to work in the public sector and contribute to local, state, or federal agencies that support community growth.
As a first-generation college student, Luis is deeply motivated to ensure others receive the same opportunities he was given. He’s a 4x district DECA medalist and an advocate for equity and service.
Jazmin Gonzalez
Horlick High School
Jazmin will be attending UW-Milwaukee and majoring in Human Resources Management. Her passion lies in creating safe, inclusive workplaces where everyone feels respected and valued.
Throughout high school, she consistently made the honor roll while balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and responsibilities at home. Jazmin served as President of Student Government, was a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in DECA and Link Crew.
Bella Morales
Horlick High School
Bella plans to attend the University of Wisconsin and major in Communications. She was an active leader on campus, including serving as President of the Gender Sexuality Allies Alliance (GSAA).
All while excelling academically and working a job throughout high school, Belinda exemplifies what it means to lead with kindness.
“To me, spreading the love forward means approaching our lives with compassion, not hate. In a world where various problems arise, it’s easy to be consumed by hatred. It’s easy to act out of anger, annoyance, sadness, or desperation. However, by choosing compassion, we form a strong, loving heart that helps us recognize that everyone carries their own unique wounds.”
Continuing the Celebration: What Spreading the Love Forward Really Means
Behind every scholarship application we receive is a story. A story of perseverance, of sacrifice, of someone choosing hope—often in the face of very real obstacles. The students we celebrate this year are more than just high achievers; they are role models for what it means to lead with love in action.
At Spread The Love, we believe that love isn’t passive. It’s a verb. It looks like showing up, even when it’s hard. It looks like helping others before being asked. It looks like putting your community first, speaking up for others, and believing that kindness and accountability can exist side by side.
Each of our 2025 recipients has chosen to lead with love in their own unique way. Caroline’s dedication to medicine is rooted in service; she’s choosing a path where her compassion becomes a literal lifeline. Siroun dreams of changing how businesses operate—by placing humanity at the core of decision-making. Luis is stepping into politics with a deep sense of duty to the people around him. Jazmin is building workplaces that welcome difference, not just tolerate it. And Bella is creating space for others to be fully seen, accepted, and understood.
What they all have in common is this: they aren’t waiting for the world to be better. They’re already doing the work. And we believe that work deserves to be honored, amplified, and supported.
Why Scholarships Still Matter
In a world of increasing costs and widening opportunity gaps, scholarships like Spread The Love Forward play a vital role. For many students, a scholarship isn’t just financial aid—it’s a vote of confidence. It’s a way of saying, We see you. We believe in you. Keep going.
Education unlocks doors, but it’s the belief that someone belongs in the room that gives them the courage to walk through it. We hope this scholarship continues to do both: to open paths and empower hearts.
Our Growing Community of Changemakers
Since launching this initiative, we’ve had the privilege of supporting some truly incredible students. Each year, our recipient group grows into a larger network of young leaders—students who stay connected, lift each other up, and carry the STL Forward spirit into whatever they do next.
We’re not just building resumes here—we’re building relationships, and we’re building a legacy of leadership grounded in empathy, equity, and action.
We’re also deeply grateful for the families, teachers, mentors, and peers who surround our recipients. Their encouragement and support often go unseen—but we see you, too. Thank you for helping nurture the kind of students who go on to shape their world with compassion and strength.
What’s Next
We’re already looking ahead to the next cohort of STL Forward scholars. If you or someone you know is a student making a difference—in school, in your home, or in your community—we encourage you to apply when applications reopen later this year.
We’re also working on expanding our programming to include mentorship, networking opportunities, and alumni features—so that our scholars feel supported not just during their award year, but well into their futures.
Whether you're a past recipient, a supporter, or someone discovering us for the first time: welcome. You're part of this movement now.
Keep Spreading the Love Forward 💛
To everyone reading this: you don’t have to be a scholarship winner to Spread The Love Forward. Small acts of kindness, quiet leadership, and consistent compassion are powerful forces in our world. You never know how deeply one kind act can ripple outward.
Congratulations again to our 2025 scholarship recipients. You inspire us every day.
We’ll be cheering for you always—and we’ll be here as you keep spreading the love forward.