Rafaela “Rafi” Zepeda ’26 has earned one of the nation’s most prestigious merit scholarships. She was chosen from thousands of global applicants who navigated a rigorous months-long application and interview process. As a University of Virginia Jefferson Scholar, she will not only receive full tuition and room and board but also leadership opportunities and financial support to pursue her passions, develop her talents, and encourage her community involvement. The award is fully merit-based and does not consider financial need.

“To put it simply, this is a VERY big deal,” emphasized Heather Jeter, Steward’s Director of College Counseling, who nominated Rafi. “There were 3,500 applicants for the scholarship from all over the world, and just 66 winners from thousands of high schools.” 

Notably, Rafi will join another recent Steward alum, Henry Bearden ’23, who is currently a Jefferson Scholar. Mrs. Jeter said, “It is rare for a high school to have two alumni in this program at once, and I am exceptionally proud that, at Steward, we are nurturing top scholars in a way that makes them feel confident to strive for an honor of this magnitude.”

Rafi’s accomplishments made her a standout candidate: two summer intensives with the Royal Academy of Dance in London, extensive volunteer service within the Latino community, and youth ambassadorship for the U.S. State Department and AMIGOS. At Steward, she has participated in the cross country team, theatre productions, Leadership Studies program, Spanish honor society, Impact Scholars, Spirit Squad, yearbook staff, junior marshals, LEAP, and student council. 

While at UVA, Rafi hopes to take advantage of the program’s study abroad opportunities to nurture her global interests. 

Rafi has attended Steward since second grade, when her mom, Claudia Ramirez-Freytes, joined the Middle School faculty. “The interviewing and public speaking opportunities I’ve had since Lower School prepared me for the Jefferson Scholar application process,” Rafi shared. “Experiences like the Impact Scholars interview in eighth grade helped me be able to articulate who I am during the interview process.”

Mrs. Jeter added: “As Rafi was preparing for her interviews, I encouraged her to have a mantra: ‘don’t hide your fire.’ Rafi’s passion for world affairs, immigrants’ rights, and other social justice causes makes her an ideal Jefferson Scholar. She showed them that she is an exceptionally powerful and empathetic spirit who will uniquely impact the UVA community – just as she has enhanced ours.” 

Being a Jefferson Scholar is meaningful for Rafi in ways that go beyond her individual interests. “My parents are immigrants from Venezuela and Mexico, and they came to the United States in hopes of a better life for my brother and me,” she said. “With this scholarship, we are fulfilling that goal. I have worked hard to contribute to my family.”