Thank you to all who have applied to our annual Accountability & Morality Scholarship! You can read more about the winners and their achievements below!

2023 Winners

Rachel Hohenstein

Bio: Hello! My name is Rachel Hohenstein, and I am from South Dakota. I was born in Iowa, lived in Nebraska for a few years, and have lived in South Dakota for the past fifteen years! I completed my undergraduate education at the University of South Dakota and became a registered nurse in 2020. I’ve worked in two of the state’s biggest critical care units and became a traveling nurse in 2023. I traveled to California and Oregon until I was accepted into graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. I am attending Chamberlain University and am in the graduate program to become an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. I’ve always loved helping others and wanted to expand my career to help others achieve quality, affordable healthcare. A fun fact about me is I have an eighteen-pound calico cat named Sidney, and I’m definitely on track to becoming a crazy cat lady!

Reaction Statement: I am filled with the deepest gratitude upon receiving this scholarship. This scholarship will help to alleviate the financial burdens of my education and will allow me to pursue further my love for helping others while completing my graduate program. I am thankful for the support and opportunity to participate in the scholarship selection process. Your selection inspires me to strive for success in my education, career, and personal life. I recognize that O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, a Legal Professional Association, has invested in my academic success. I am committed to implementing the accountability and morality that this scholarship and organization upholds. Providing accessible, affordable, quality healthcare is vital and often unobtainable in our country. I am here to make a difference in the healthcare industry by committing my practice to people instead of profit. I want to thank this organization for believing in me and allowing me to further my education for the betterment of others.

Gabriel Nahod

Bio: I was born in Providence, Rhode Island to my mother Beth, and father Jose. I'm a mixed Puerto Rican/Ukrainian student. My family started off financially struggling and eventually, we had to move in with my grandparents in Warwick, Rhode Island. Now, my neighborhood was the home of almost exclusively fishermen due to the proximity to a local marina. I have lived here, in Warwick, for most of my life. The house I live in currently was the home of my mother when she was young. Some of my hobbies include reading, writing, auto-mechanics, and computer programming. I am currently enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA. I am in a dual degree program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology degree. My school offers an accelerated Master's in Science program for Computer Engineering which I intend on enrolling in and I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of bioelectronics.

Reaction Statement: To say I'm shocked is an understatement. Having written the original essay sometime in October I just assumed someone more qualified than me had won. To receive this email and be told that I am a winner is a supreme blessing. I've been experiencing some financial difficulty with college and this has come at such an unbelievably fortunate time. I am beyond grateful to be chosen. I am beyond grateful that O'Connor, Acciani & Levy even offered this scholarship. I am thankful that the law firm wanted to recognize people for their personal growth and development, rather than by just grades or letters of recommendation. It still feels surreal that I was chosen. Where I come from $1,000 can have life-altering power. To receive this prize is indescribable. I write this now hardly believing what I'm reading. I will use this award to further secure my educational future. I am inspired by this award to work even harder for other scholarships. Lastly, having now felt the relief and joy of receiving such an award, I hope to someday sponsor my own scholarship someday to elevate those who need some extra help.

Ella Stiso

Bio: A Manasquan New Jersey native, or “Yankee” as they call me here at The University of Alabama, I am currently Pre-Law majoring in business with a minor in Spanish. After graduation, I plan to attend law school and one day practice as a disability attorney. I intend to utilize my degree to affect change throughout multi-cultural communities. As someone born with a physical impairment, serving the disabled community is an extremely personal endeavor, one which I have been pursuing for the past seven years. By continuing my education in this field, I can actively pursue my ultimate objective of advancing (ADA) disability legislation worldwide.

In addition, I am an active member of The Seeing Eye, a charitable program dedicated to breeding and training guide dogs for the visually impaired. I have successfully raised three service dogs for TSE which has been one of the greatest honors of my life. And now that I am away at college, I continue to serve as a virtual advisor to new members.

Reaction Statement: Thank you so much for selecting my essay as the 2023 Accountability & Morality Scholarship winner. I am truly overjoyed! First I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the scholarship process. When I first came across the application I was struck by the firm's motto of individual actions having a significant impact on those around you. Today, my life is greatly impacted by the generosity of O’Connor, Acciani & Levy! With the ever-rising cost of college, this award will go a long way in furthering my education here at the University of Alabama and beyond. It comes at the perfect time as I will be studying abroad this summer as part of my Spanish minor requirement. Words cannot express how humbled I am. As an aspiring lawyer, I one day hope to offer such a scholarship to a college student in similar financial need.

2021 Winners

Kassie Yeager

Bio: My name is Kassie Yeager and I am a senior in high school this year at Colorado Preparatory Academy. This year as a senior in high school, I was able to take all concurrent enrollment courses at Colorado Mesa University. Living in Montrose, Colorado made it convenient to take classes through the university and get a jump start on my continuing education. Next fall, I will be enrolled as a full time student at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Through this school, I plan to study Wildland Fire Ecology and Forestry. I am so excited to continue my education in the Wildland Fire world! With my knowledge and drive to help others, I can help save lives, homes, and communities from the devastating effects of wildland fires. Each year, the western United States, is plagued with wildfires. However, working with local, state and federal agencies, I will be able to have a positive effect on the health of the forests which will help mitigate fires, but also help control the spread of the destructive fires once they do start. I strive to make a difference for many people across the west. I am grateful to the O’Connor Acciani & Levy, 2021 Accountability and Morality Scholarship for assisting me in my pursuit of furthering my education at the University of Idaho. Reaction: Winning this year’s O’Connor Acciani & Levy, 2021 Accountability and Morality Scholarship is amazing! Knowing that I have financial support to assist me in pursuit of furthering my education is humbling. As a high school student, I have worked so hard to obtain as much knowledge as I can. I want to further my education in wildland fire so that I can help countless people across the United States by saving lives, homes, and communities from the devastating effects of wildfires. Thank you so much O’Connor Acciani & Levy for selecting me as your recipient of the scholarship. I look forward to the next steps in my education!

Natalia Capella

Bio: I grew up in Philadelphia before moving to Tennessee, where I attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I am studying mechanical and biomedical engineering, and dream of using my education to empower those around me and inspire the next generation of STEM students. I love traveling, studying language, reading, and enjoying the outdoors. I am passionate about sharing STEM education with marginalized communities and can't wait to see what the future of technology looks like when their brilliant ideas and creative thoughts are given a platform to be shared with the world.

Reaction: I am so incredibly thankful to be chosen as the recipient of this scholarship. Through this opportunity, O’Connor Acciani & Levy are not only funding my education but also bringing me one step closer to my dream of becoming an engineer! Thank you so much!

Elijah Hill

Bio: My name is Elijah Hill, and I am a graduate of Bardstown High School and I am from Bardstown, Kentucky. I will be attending Columbia College in Columbia University in New York in the fall, and I plan on majoring in Human Rights and Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations. It is my goal to one day enter the United States Foreign Service and to work in the International Court of Justice.

Reaction: I am beyond grateful and excited to hear that I have been awarded this scholarship. I’ve worked very hard this past year to ensure that I could make my education as affordable as possible, and I am so blessed and fortunate to have been given this Scholarship. Thank you all so much.

Olabisi Alake

Bio: My name is Olabisi Omoniyi-Alake, and I am a first-generation Nigerian American. I was born in Maryland and attended Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School throughout my high school journey. I am someone who strives for excellence in all that I do, especially when it comes to community wellness. Through volunteering and through my leadership roles in my extracurriculars I try to use my voice to speak on minority mental-health, and youth-related issues/legislation. Even though my school encourages participation in STEM-related fields, I was always drawn to legal professions. I joined my school’s Student Government Association as secretary, the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC), and the Civic Debate Club, and became a Youth Ambassador in the Minority Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) in Anne Arundel County. I have committed to attending the University of Maryland, College Park to major in Public Policy. Go Terps!

Reaction: I was honestly so surprised that I had won, I really wasn’t expecting it! It was such a great feeling to not only get financial aid for college but also receive recognition from a law firm for my research paper on a legal case. This gives me encouragement to further pursue my interest in law and this scholarship helps to relieve me of some of the expenses that come with attending college. Thank you!

Olga Ivashyna

Bio: A Belarusian and Irish immigrant, I have lived in the United States for almost nine years and have made my place in American society. I graduated from Edwardsville High School and will be attending the University of Central Florida with a major in Computer Science.

Reaction: I was caught completely off guard; I didn't expect anything from this scholarship, especially since I applied for another scholarship and didn't get it. So I was quite shocked when I got the phone call declaring I earned the scholarship. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Scholarship Winners