Twelve Students Awarded the 2026 Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red Scholarship by the American Heart Association
Cleveland, OH, July 9, 2026 – Women make up nearly half of employment in non-STEM occupations but only a third (just over 29%) of the STEM workforce. To change that statistic, the American Heart Association is proud to award 12 young women the 2026 Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red Scholarship. Each $5,000 scholarship supports recipients as they pursue their academic careers in STEM fields.
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women ® movement and Lorraine Dodero of The Sam J. Frankino Foundation developed the STEM Goes Red Scholarship in 2019 to help bridge the gap between students’ aspirations in STEM and the resources needed to achieve them. Since its inception, we’ve awarded 57 scholarships to local students.
The Class of 2026 scholarship recipients include:
- Alexandra Burns – Brunswick High School
- Lena Cao – Akron Early College High School
- Camryn Dennis – Avon High School
- Alyssa Fluellen – Cleveland School of Science & Medicine
- Allyson Liller – Magnificat High School
- Mikayla Lortie – Chardon High School
- Sophia Mazzei – Cleveland School of Science & Medicine
- Mariam Rajabu – Firestone CLC
- Soraya Rajabu – Firestone CLC
- Audrey Solvesky – Chagrin Falls High School
- Zariyah Williams – McKinley Senior High School
- Lilah Yeager – Perry High School
”These exceptional students have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment leveraging STEM to create meaningful change in their communities,” said Shelley Webber, the Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Northeast Ohio. “We are proud to support their academic journeys and help fuel their passion for STEM.”
“The drive, determination and talent these students demonstrate is truly inspiring,” said Lorraine Dodero of The Sam J. Frankino Foundation. “Each of them has already shown a commitment to excellence and a passion for making a difference. We are proud to invest in their futures and look forward to seeing how their ideas, discoveries, and leadership will shape the future, strengthen our communities and improve lives for generations to come.”
Congratulations to this year’s well-deserving recipients!
Applications for the 2027 Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red Scholarship open Monday, October 5, 2026, and close Wednesday, December 16, 2026.
Eligible students throughout Northeast Ohio are encouraged to apply and share how they are using STEM to innovate, solve problems, and make a positive impact in their communities.
For full details and to submit an application, visit: www.heart.org/CLESTEMGoesRed. Have questions? Reach out to us at STEM.Scholarship@Heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Inquiries: Monique Zappa: Monique.Zappa@heart.org | 440-522-9791
heart.org and stroke.org
