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!

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.  

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 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.