UFIRST Beiersdorf Scholars 2025 Recipients
Congratulations to the 2025 UFIRST Beiersdorf Scholarship Recipients!
FIRST is proud to announce the five scholarship recipients from the Beiersdorf / UFIRST Scholars Program. These five students received a total of $25,000 in awards for their post-secondary and graduate education. Congratulations to everyone and we wish you the best of luck as you continue your education.
Portia Cina
Ichthyosis with Confetti
Savannah College of Art & Design - Savannah, GA
Freshman pursuing 2D Animation / Concept Design
Goals & Aspirations: I'm passionate about animation, storytelling and music, especially when it comes to representing diverse voices and normalizing rare conditions like ichthyosis. I want to create content that educates and inspires, giving kids with rare conditions - and underrepresented communities in general - someone to relate to. Whether through animation or music, I hope to bring meaningful stories to life while advocating for inclusivity and awareness through my art.
Maxwell Claydon
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Junior pursuing music vocal/composition & jazz piano minor
Goals & Aspirations: I want to have my own music as an artist and producer and be able to collaborate with other artists.
Mackenzie Dortch
Indiana State University - Terre Haute, IN
Freshman pursuing art education
Goals & Aspirations: I plan to get a degree in art education. While teaching, I will also pursue my love of creating art.
Brennan Lewis
Ohio State University, Mansfield - Columbus, OH
Sophomore pursuing a degree in English
Goals & Aspirations: I have freelanced for local news journals and sports in the area part-time. I also just got an LLC for allohiohoops, my own business doing sports reporting. I am going to bring in sponsors and build a website to grow that brand. I want to work on sports in my local community writing the rest of my life.
Devin Mong
Westminster College - New Wilmington, PA
Junior pursuing a degree in Biology
Goals & Aspirations: I would like to attend graduate school and pursue a career in genetic/developmental research.
