Bay Area Awards Ceremony Honors 42 New Posse Scholars

At the annual Bay Area Awards Ceremony held at the Strand Theater in San Francisco earlier this year, 42 newly selected Posse Scholars took the stage to celebrate a pivotal milestone in their academic journeys. The theater was filled with proud family members, friends, nominators, alumni, staff and board members, all gathered to honor the next generation of leaders.

This year’s ceremony was particularly meaningful, as it marked the first time Bay Area siblings were selected for the prestigious scholarship in successive years. Rami Safa, who will attend Lehigh University, follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Andres, a sophomore at Boston University and 2023 Posse Scholar. “I’m very proud that I have two Posse Scholars at home,” said their father, Hussein Safa. “They’re very different individuals, and that tells me Posse doesn’t have a cookie-cutter approach. The process is well-rounded—it looks for future leaders in all their forms.”

Andres reflected on the moment his younger brother won the scholarship: “It was even more emotional for me than when I won it myself. I saw how seriously he took the process and how much he sacrificed. I was praying for him. Knowing he believed in himself—and made it—is incredible.”

More than just a scholarship, the Safa family emphasized the long-term support and sense of belonging that Posse provides. Andres shared that the program has helped him navigate the challenges of college life and combat imposter syndrome.

“There’s a whole community that not only believes I should be here, but is investing time, money and care to prove it,” he said. “That has grown my confidence and helped me feel like I truly belong.” Their mother, Lourdes Cordero, shared a moving example of the kind of mentorship Posse offers. When Andres became ill and had to return home during his first semester, his on-campus Posse mentor provided critical emotional support.

“He told me, ‘Don’t worry, Jenny is like my counselor,’” Lourdes said. “That kind of face-to-face connection, having an adult on campus looking out for him—it’s invaluable.” Andres now actively promotes the program to others. He recently nominated a peer who also became a 2025 Posse Scholar.

“Posse gives people the opportunity to leave home, broaden their worldviews and believe in themselves,” he said. “It’s not about background—it’s about leadership and potential.”

Posse Bay Area received more than 540 nominations in 2024 from high schools and community-based organizations across the region. Through the program’s signature Dynamic Assessment Process, university partners—including Boston University, Lehigh University, St. Olaf College and the University of Puget Sound—selected the final 42 Scholars.

The 2025 Posse class will begin their college journeys this fall, carrying with them the power of a supportive cohort, a national network and a belief in their ability to lead.