Sanchez
Columbus North High School valedictorian Jessica Meza Sanchez has been selected as the first recipient of the $25,000 Annette Siler Hungerford Memorial Scholarship administered by Heritage Fund.
The scholarship was established last year by Siler Hungerford’s family to encourage the excellence of study in math and science and foster leadership in academic pursuits by a graduating North student.
“I am incredibly grateful to have been chosen for the Annette Siler Hungerford Memorial Scholarship as the first recipient of the award,” Meza Sanchez said. “I am determined to make the most of this opportunity and share my passion for mathematics in the same way as Annette did throughout her lifetime.”
Siler Hungerford, who passed away in 2016 at age 87, taught mathematics and was the former chair of the Math Department at Columbus North High School. She married Owen Hungerford in 1954. The couple had two children, Dr. Emily Giesel and David Hungerford.
She was a lifelong student of music and an accomplished singer and classically trained pianist, enjoying the “mysterious relationship between mathematics and music.” She is also remembered for her love of sports, particularly basketball, and her gentle leadership and great sense of humor.
Meza Sanchez plans to major in mechanical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The North grad was involved in several school extracurriculars, including All-Conference for cross country and track and field, vice president of Key Club, president of SWENext (Society of Women in Engineering) and was a calculus/math tutor. Meza Sanchez also has enjoyed volunteering in the community, including at Love Chapel and St. Bartholomew Church.
In addition to the new Annette Siler Hungerford Memorial Scholarship, Heritage Fund has awarded nearly $738,000 to 160 students in the 2022-23 scholarship season.
