Daria Boulankina, a remarkable high school sophomore whose passion, leadership, and dedication to service are truly inspiring.

Daria was recently accepted to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, where she will complete her final two years of high school. With an unweighted GPA of 4.25, she is not only academically exceptional but also deeply engaged in creating opportunities for others. She currently serves as the Entrepreneurship Liaison at Wakaboomee, helping student-led organizations grow and thrive through bi-weekly entrepreneurship meetings. As Vice President of Leadership for DECA and a leader in Science Olympiad, Daria plays a key role in guiding her peers in both business and STEM fields.

In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Daria is an active member of the Debate Club, having competed in two Harvard Debate tournaments and earning a fully funded spot at the President’s Cup hosted by the Coolidge Foundation — an incredible achievement for her first year as a varsity debater.

Daria is passionate about business, biology, STEM, and marketing. She’s currently enrolled in AP Biology and participates in the most rigorous STEM courses offered at her school. She also took part in the Women’s Day Business Expo and competed in their business pitch competition. Most notably, she won $5,000 at Wake Tech’s first-ever business pitch competition. Daria also competed in a robotics competition with Forge Initiative.

Beyond academics, Daria is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. She mentors a young girl, helping her navigate school and life challenges, and serves as the Project Chair for her school’s Key Club, where she coordinates major volunteer efforts for one of the largest clubs on campus. She was also a member of a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising team, where she earned a spot in their Team Member Hall of Fame.