2025 APIQWTC Scholarship Awardees!

Ryanne Teng (she/them) is a proud Filipino-Chinese American transgender woman and will be attending San Jose State University in Fall 2025 to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ryanne graduated as valedictorian of their high school class, which not only reflected her academic dedication but also allowed them to take on leadership opportunities. One of her most meaningful roles was serving as president of a youth-led HIV campaign in the Philippines. During the campaign, Ryanne advocated for people living with HIV (PLHIV), promoted access to treatment, and worked to destigmatize the disease. Since then, Ryanne has continued her advocacy and service through volunteering at Long Beach hospitals like Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and, more recently, at Long Beach Medical Center, where they served as a patient companion volunteer. In 2024, Ryanne founded several small scholarship programs to support struggling LGBTQ+ students, a project that is very close to her heart. Currently, she is a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for Microbiology, where she conducts review sessions to help fellow students succeed in the course. Ryanne is completing their final semester at Long Beach City College this Spring 2025 and is proud to be a candidate for valedictorian. Ryanne’s long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and contribute to the advancement of treatment options for HIV and anything HIV-related. She is committed to healthcare, advocacy, and community service because of her lived experiences and is excited to continue this commitment with APIQWTC and Horizons Foundation.

Sariah Melena’a Roberta Vaioleti (she/her) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at New York University, where she is honored to be a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar. Sariah’s academic journey began at BASIS Peoria High School where she graduated as an AP Indigenous Scholar with Distinction. At NYU, Sariah has cultivated a strong clinical foundation through her work at NYU Langone Tisch, providing comprehensive patient care, conducting physical assessments, and educating patients and families on chronic condition management and recovery. As an Emergency Department Intern at Kahuku Hospital, she further developed her skills in patient assessment, medication administration, and care planning, always prioritizing culturally competent, inclusive healthcare. Sariah’s advocacy work is equally central to her identity. As an NYU LGBTQ+ Service Fellow at Callen Lorde Community Health Center, she has led policy research and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to advance health equity initiatives, while also organizing advocacy events and training sessions for staff and patients. Sariah is deeply involved in campus life, guiding students through the NYU Native & Indigenous Student Group and contributing to research on Indigenous storytelling at the NYU Martin Luther King Jr. Research Symposium. Looking ahead, Sariah is committed to advancing health equity through interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and advocacy, with a focus on uplifting Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities and improving patient outcomes through culturally competent, patient-centered care.