MISD High School Scholarships - Nhi Thai Photography

To apply, you must be a female junior or senior attending high school in MISD (Mansfield, TX) and have a GPA of 3.8 or above.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

I am thrilled to announce that Mahlet Abeje, a junior at Lake Ridge High School, has been selected as this year’s scholarship recipient, in recognition of her outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to community. Mahlet stands out for her dedication both locally and globally. She volunteers at the Mansfield Mission Center through National Honor Society, teaches youth at Saint Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and serves as team captain of the NRG Club Volleyball Team. She has also led her team in the development of the Ethio Compass app — a resource empowering Ethiopians worldwide to connect, learn about their heritage, and build community. Her dedication to service, innovation, and cultural connection is truly remarkable, and I can’t wait to see the impact she will make in the years ahead!

Hi! I’m Nhi

I come from poverty. I lived through famine. My body would shut down and I’d faint in the middle of the road from malnourishment. I was never maltreated or abused, but we simply did not have food on the table. Sometimes, I’d wake up in the field and would continue my walk home from school after a fainting episode. Other times, I’d wake up in a friend’s house because their parent recognized me.

While I would never wish any child to go through this, I will always look back at my own childhood with gratitude. What I’ve learned is that scarcity inspires creativity and hardship builds character.

I intentionally create an environment of scarcity for my boys by providing them with limited toys. Khai’s imagination entertains him with countless hours of pretend play. The same set of Legos can create a gazillion vehicles and animals. Paper. Crayons. Scissors. Play-Doh. These tools can create infinite toys. Books – both physical and audio formats – are constant treasures.

I recognize the privileged position I’m currently in. I worked hard for it. My boys were born into it, and I sincerely hope they will never take it for granted. I hope I can create opportunities for them to learn from scarcity without needing to go through fainting episodes. I hope that they will learn, by example, that once you have earned this privilege, you can help others do the same. I hope we will always be able to give back to our community.

Education transformed my life. I grew up in poverty and was only able to achieve my PhD through scholarships. I am delighted to sponsor an annual, merit-based $2000 high school scholarship to help more students attain higher education. To enter, applicants must be a female junior or senior attending high school in Mansfield, TX and have a GPA of 3.8 or above.

It is my hope that our community can empower girls to pursue higher education and become change-makers and leaders of the world.