5 Arizona Students Making The Grand Canyon State Proud

Arizona is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

Check out five exceptional Arizona students, all of whom have been selected as 2025 Flinn Scholarship semifinalists and are making a big impact. And if you know a student who deserves a shoutout, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured as a Star Student on Patch!

Eliut Gonzalez (Phoenix) — Glenview College Preparatory High School senior Eliut Gonzalez stands out for his entrepreneurial mindset and passion for innovation. A Principal’s Award recipient and National Honor Society member, Eliut pairs academic excellence in math and science with hands-on experience in software development, AI and business strategy. He recently completed a business and economics program with The Academies by Harvard Student Agencies, where he honed his skills in branding, pricing and startup strategy. With aspirations of becoming a CEO and a deep curiosity for astronomy and technology, Eliut is driven to make a meaningful, collaborative impact on the world around him. Read more here.

Pravneet Chadha (Glendale) — Pravneet Chadha, a senior at Mountain Ridge High School, is a passionate changemaker with a heart for healthcare and community impact. As HOSA Chapter President, National Honor Society Vice President and founder of Integrative Youth Health, Pravneet leads with purpose, whether he’s organizing student outreach or guiding peers through medical career exploration. He also serves as COO and co-founder of Project Smile AZ, a nonprofit launched with his brother that has distributed over 6,000 kindness cards, hundreds of Smile Kits, books and essential supplies to patients, veterans, children, and families in need. A Hospice of the Valley volunteer since 2021 and aspiring physician, Pravneet’s leadership reflects his commitment to compassion, resilience and making a difference wherever he goes. Read more here.

Emma Xi (Chandler) — Hamilton High School senior Emma Xi brings intellectual curiosity and a passion for communication to everything she does, from leading as Co-President of the Speech and Debate team to performing with the Hamilton Chamber Orchestra and Youth Symphony of the Southwest. She plans to attend Arizona State University’s Barrett, The Honors College to study international relations, inspired by a deep commitment to cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. For Emma, tackling the fear of public speaking is a defining issue of her generation—one she meets head-on in debate rounds and everyday conversations alike. Read more here.

Iulia Musat (Scottsdale) — Iulia Musat, a senior at Chaparral High School, is already forging a path at the intersection of science, language and global policy. As a NSLI-Y Alumni Representative and National Security Fellow with Girl Security, Iulia is committed to bridging disciplines and cultures—an interest that aligns with her aspiration to dual major in international relations and biochemistry. Fluent in three languages and an experienced laboratory assistant through Arizona State University’s SCENES Program, she blends research with real-world impact. Whether she’s leading student clubs or interning with national organizations, Iulia is already preparing to take on the world’s biggest challenges with intellect and energy. Read more here.

Evelyn Frost (Gilbert) — Senior Evelyn Frost has made service a cornerstone of her journey at Campo Verde High School. With more than 230 hours logged through the National Honor Society, Evelyn has volunteered in everything from mentoring young musicians through United Sound to teaching sustainability during District Water Days and assisting at school concerts, festivals, and blood drives. Recognized twice with the National Community Service Honor Award, she’s driven by compassion, curiosity and a strong belief in improving quality of life for others. Evelyn’s commitment to issues like education, inequality and access to resources reflects her passion for creating local impact that ripples outward. Read more here.

These exceptional students are just a glimpse of the incredible talent in Arizona. The future is certainly looking bright! If you know a Star Student making an impact in your community, nominate them today to be featured on Patch!