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Highland Senior Receives UNC’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Highland Senior Receives UNC’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship
By Jody Warfield
“They valued my originality. It just felt different from all the other colleges. The way they talked about their students and the leadership values they are looking for—that’s the type of person I want to be.”
That’s how Diego Quintanar-Pena, a senior at Highland School, described his interest in the Morehead-Cain Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Launched in 1945, it’s the nation’s very first, and most coveted, merit scholarship, and was the model for many others around the world.
Diego lives in Nokesville and is one of only two Virginia recipients this year (the other is Olivia Tse from The Madeira School in McLean). He’s attended Highland since first grade, when his mother began teaching Spanish there.
Each year the school focuses on a character theme—resilience, gratitude, perseverance, humility, among others. Diego found many of these same values in the literature, requirements, and activities of the MoreheadCain Scholarship program.
“The process was not ‘checking the box’ like others,” he said. “I forged real relationships, just like at Highland. These people are trying to make a difference in the world with the students they support. They have purpose and meaning.”
Morehead-Cain Scholars are selected, in the Foundation’s words, “… for their intellect and moral force of character. We recognize their potential to lead lives of purpose and impact.” Scholars receive far more than the four-year, fully paid UNC education. Professional internships, study abroad, transformational summer programs, lifetime access to a worldwide network of outstanding leaders, and so much more are all part of the package.
According to Diego, the mission given to the MHC scholars is “to earn it…They brought 170 finalists to the campus for a weekend and they paid for it,” he said. “They emphasized the responsibility of it all—the expectation that this is an incredible gift, and it’s something we are to reciprocate, to spend the rest of our lives giving back.”
Diego is ready for that challenge, and eager to delve into all the unique experiences MoreheadCain offers.
“They have an Outdoor Leadership program, just like Highland. They partner with NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School); offer sailing in Maine and mountain climbing. The sophomore backpacking trip at Highland was my favorite field study, so I’m really looking forward to this part.”
Highland Upper School Head Margie Kuzminski spoke of Diego’s collaborative nature.
“He draws in others to create new things,” she said. “His interactions opened up new opportunities for everyone…Diego is such a part of the Highland culture. He always tries to make a difference. He never just ‘checked the box.’”
Kuzminski is an award winner herself – one of only 12 teachers in Virginia honored with the Morehead-Cain Impact Educator award this year. She was among 457 educators nominated by scholarship semi-finalists, “… for their role in shaping tomorrow’s change-makers. They are recognized for their positive influence on students’ lives and leadership development,” according to the Foundation.
Diego’s mother, Nayeli Pena, also spoke to the significant role of the Arts in Diego’s life.
“The violin made him resilient,” she said. “He knows if there is a note he is not getting, he has to try again and again until it finally sounds good. Many at Highland know this as “the power of the ‘yet.’”
Her favorite memory? “The best moments that bring me joy are hearing his violin playing throughout the halls of the school. He would work on something then come out to the Commons to share it as parents were picking up their kids at the end of the day. It was a relaxing atmosphere.”
As she sends her youngest child off to college and beyond, she is comforted by the similarities between Highland School and the MoreheadCain Scholars program.
“I know Diego will not be alone there. They’re interested in how their scholars feel, their dreams, handing them lots of responsibilities, and shaping their lives. All his teachers [at Highland] have been supportive of his dreams. They have inspired him to want to know and do more.”
And Diego’s biggest dream for his time at UNC?
“I want to study in Brazil, to get a grant to study cultural diffusion,” he said. “I’m looking forward to doing good.”
