2023
Maryland Young Women Leaders Honoree

Mahlet Mesfin is dedicated to math and sciences and has taken ten Advanced Placement classes. Mahlet is a Crofton High senior who gives her all to whatever she does. She is one of two daughters, twins, of immigrants from Ethiopia. Her strong foundation of faith and positive character are indicative of their upbringing.

Mahlet is a student leader who is dedicated not only in the classroom, but also to her family. Her father runs the Upper Marlboro Veterinary Hospital, a small business that is run by the family. She is a member of Service Learning Leadership Team – Chair of Sub-Committee, Leader of the Crofton Service Club, Anne Arundel County Police Department Minority Youth Advisory Council, and an intern for Office of Service Learning. She also conducted research on bird migration under the mentorship of NASA scientist, Dr. Emily Wilson.

Over the summer of 2022 Mahlet helped run two weeks of service camp for middle and high school students. She also developed a workshop on grant writing that will be shared with students from around the county.

Mahlet’s awards include: Certificate from the College Board National African American, Recognition Program, August 2022, Grade 12, AP Scholar with Distinction, July 2022, Grade 12, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, June 2022, Grades 11, 12, Mu Alpha Theta, June 2022, Grades 11, 12, Appointed Assistant Vice President National Honor Society, April 2022, Grades 11, 12, Science National Honor Society, October 2021, Grades 11, 12, Reviewed students’ science fair projects and provided corrections, Working on creating summaries of science courses for course selections, Certificate of Recognition from the NASA Environmental Task Force, May 2022, Anne Arundel County Science and Engineering Expo – 1st place in Animal Science, March 2022, EJI Racial Justice Essay Competition – 2nd place, December 2021, Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Grades 9, 10, 11, Gold Presidential Award for Service, November 2020, and Maryland Governor’s 2022 Youth Service Awards – Honoree, April 2022.

She has over 200 hours of service to organizations including: Bello Machre, Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, Annapolis City Parks and Recreation, Kindness Grows Here, Crofton Civic Association, Gigi’s Playhouse in Annapolis, Orphan Grain Train – Millersville, Walk the Walk Foundation, and the Marshall Hope Foundation.

“As a leader, persevering through the many obstacles you’ll face is the only way to make a difference.”- Mahlet Mesfin