Each year, two high-school juniors are selected from each of the eleven Virginia Beach City Public High Schools as nominees for the Edward E. Brickell Scholarship. These nominees participate in a series of seminars, meetings, and collaborative events throughout their senior year. A total of five finalists are selected for interviews, and at the end of the year, a ceremony is held to recognize the singular winner of the scholarship.
This year, juniors Magdalena Kress and Li Reyes were our two nominees. Both of these students show outstanding participation in and around the Salem community.
“I found out about the Brickell Scholar Program about 2 weeks before applications were due,” said Reyes. “I had yet to engage with academic scholarship opportunities, and, secondly, the program seemed generally intriguing and aligned to my interests.”
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“The E.E. Brickell Scholarship is a prestigious $6,000+ merit-based award given annually to 2 top Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) high school seniors, recognizing academic excellence, school involvement, and community service,” said Salem’s gifted resource teacher Kelly Lepkowski. “Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Virginia Beach and VBCPS, the program honors Dr. Edward E. Brickell, a former Virginia Beach superintendent and longtime educator.”
Both Reyes and Kress, however, had to go through an application process before they were named as nominees, and they will continue to go through processes before one of them is possibly the 2027 Brickell Scholar.
“Li and I attended the reception for this year’s finalists and learned that we will attend a series of seminars next school year,” said Kress. “Based on how we interact and the ideas we propose, we move on to the next stages. Next spring, if we make it to the finals, there will be an interview that determines who, of the five finalists, receives the scholarship.”
To be selected, a long and lengthy process must be completed. With a short application and a board of teachers that read and discuss them, the two nominees are to be chosen.
“Students fill out Brickell applications and submit them to their high school’s [gifted resource teacher],” said Lepkowski. “High school committees review applications and select two students in the spring of their junior year to be recognized as “Brickell Scholars.” One must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average, participate in academically advanced courses, achieve excellent scores on standardized tests, demonstrate school and community leadership, and service in academic and extracurricular pursuits.”
Those who apply are nothing but exceptional, and both Kress and Reyes know what it means to be an avid participant in their community. With both of them being in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy and numerous honor societies.
“Frankly, I believe all those who are both eligible for the program and interested in aiding their community should apply,” said Reyes. “I know many students with impressive resumés and a great involvement in their communities who did not apply, [and] the application process was quite simple.”
While the application and selection have already occurred for 2026, the opportunity for next year will open up for all rising juniors sometime next February.
“If you are not sure about applying, you should,” said Kress. “There is no harm in trying, and if you do, you will have the opportunity for what I think will be an amazing program. Keep an ear out for information about the scholarship and go see Ms. Lepkowski if you have any questions.”
If you see Kress or Reyes in the hallway, give them their congratulations because they wholeheartedly deserve it for all the effort they put into each and every class. Salem is so lucky to have these two as our nominees, and we hope this experience is beneficial and rewarding for both of them.
