
The Best and The Brightest of 2025
They’re not waiting until they’re adults to make a difference in the world.
Meet the Junior Achievement 2025 18 Under 18 recipients. These incredible students have set themselves apart from the rest with their ingenuity, determination, and passion for helping others. Rather than waiting for opportunities, they create them. Rather than giving up, they face challenges head on. While they each have their own unique interests and skills, what unites the Class of 2025 is their ability to come up with creative, innovative ways to solve real-world problems and improve their communities.
Join us in reading their inspiring stories and celebrating their accomplishments.
2025 JA 18 Under 18 Recipients

Archana Gurudu
Age 17
Paradise Valley High School
Phoenix

Daniel Yang
Age 16
BASIS Mesa
Queen Creek

Gauri Srivastava
Age 16
BASIS Oro Valley
Tucson

Nassar Bahody
Age 17
West Point High School
Goodyear

Karina Koppikar
Age 17
Chapparal High School
Phoenix

Pamela Carbajal
Age 17
Nogales High School
Nogales

Ashton Dolce
Age 17
BASIS Scottsdale
Phoenix

Harper Helfman
Age 18
Desert Mountain High School
Scottsdale

Jonathan Mendoza De Niz
Age 16
Trevor G. Browne High School
Phoenix

Lizbeth Ortiz
Age 18
Buckeye Union High School
Buckeye

Nithish Prakash
Age 16
BASIS Scottsdale
Phoenix

Rishabh Sreepathy
Age 17
Desert Mountain High School
Scottsdale

Elizabeth Young
Age 16
Sandra Day O’Connor High School
Phoenix

Brad Wu
Age 16
Arizona College Prep High School
Chandler

Ellegra Davis
Age 16
Chapparal High School
Scottsdale

Owen Brosanders
Age 17
University High School
Tucson

Maryam Al Qaderi
Age 17
Xavier College Preparatory
Peoria

Sarah Bendok
Age 17
Phoenix Country Day School
Phoenix