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Meet the Class of 2014 Elks Scholars

Kylie Lan Tumiatti
2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar

Seton Hall University — Diplomacy and International Relations

Sponsored by Melbourne, Fla., Lodge No. 1744

Adopted as an infant from a Chinese orphanage, Kylie Lan Tumiatti has overcome many obstacles to become a passionate and driven individual. Though she spent years recovering from her first few months, Kylie never let it hold her back. She became involved in community service early on.

In high school, she combined her love of reading and knowledge of the difficulties of learning English as a second language into a unique community service project. She partnered with a local nonprofit to create a literacy program for the children of migrant workers. Over the past six years, Kylie has raised funds, created activities and plays to help students learn, and recorded stories so students could practice at home with their families. She continues to use technology to aid in English knowledge and plans to expand the program even further. 

“I wanted to teach these children to speak and read English so they could excel,” says Kylie, who was inspired by her younger sister, who also struggled in school after being adopted from China.

Kylie has won numerous prestigious awards which honor her dedication to improving the lives of others. These include ESPN 18 Girls Under 18, the Teen Nick HALO Awards, the Nestle Very Best in Youth Award, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

In college, Kylie’s passion for giving back continues to grow. She now works with the university’s Division of Volunteer Efforts, where she coordinates volunteers for service programs and takes weekly groups to visit residents at a center for individuals with developmental disabilities and the local library to read to children.

“My adoptive parents instilled in me the importance of family, faith, education and giving back,” says Kylie. “These goals help me to be a role model and someone the Elks are proud to have sponsored.”

A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Elks National Foundation helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. For 2014-15, the Elks National Foundation allocated $2.44 million to fund the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, which includes 500 four-year Most Valuable Student Scholarships. For more information about the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, including eligibility and deadlines, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars.
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