---
title: An Impressive Incoming Class Act
date: 2025-09-15T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/an-impressive-incoming-class-act"
section: Articles
---
# An Impressive Incoming Class Act

*September 15, 2025* — by [Annie Krakower](/author/annie-krakower)


> Meet 7 First-Year Terps Bringing Their Talents to Campus

*Freshmen collage 1920x1080 — First-year Terps in this year’s incoming class include a national spelling bee winner, a state-champion track and field athlete and nonprofit founder, a cancer survivor, and more. (Photos courtesy of students)*

After Zaila Avant-garde correctly spelled “Murraya” to win the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee, the confetti had barely finished raining down on stage before the scholarship offers started pouring in.

Most came from universities in the eighth-grader’s home state of Louisiana, but not all. University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines reached out to her on social media to offer his congratulations and a full ride to UMD. “We hope you’ll bring your ‘Murraya’ win to Maryland!”

It worked. Swayed too by UMD’s strong biological sciences program, she’s joining an impressive class of first-year students on campus this fall. From athleticism and advocacy to prestige and perseverance, they bring a unique range of talents and passions to College Park.

Get to know seven of them as they begin their time as Terps:



*Yury Alvarez headshot*



*Zaila Avant-garde headshot*



*Moses Bimenyimana headshot*



*Mauro Colon Cortes headshot by M*



*Liora Ragozin headshot*



*Toni Tan headshot*



*Ogechi Uzoukwu headshot*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [A. James Clark School of Engineering](https://today.umd.edu/topic/james-clark-school-engineering), [School of Public Health](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-health), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences)