2026 Emily Couric Leadership Scholarship Winner

Nori Carter of St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Driven by the belief that love is best expressed through tangible action, Nori has dedicated her high school career to community building and advocacy. At St. Anne’s, she founded the "Split’s Club," creating a vital support system for students navigating the complexities of parental divorce, separation, incarceration, or loss. A proficient Spanish speaker, she authored the children’s book Amigos del Océano, which she presented to the Discovery Children’s Museum to promote literacy and environmental awareness. When she identified a gap in accessibility for milestone celebrations, she collaborated with Mayor Juandiego Wade’s office to provide free senior portrait sessions to dozens of local students. Nori has engaged in extensive work in public policy.  She co-founded a local chapter of the Virginia Young Democrats, volunteered for the Spanberger campaign, and organized fundraising efforts to support the unhoused community. Nori plans to study public policy in college, aiming to ensure that every individual—regardless of background or language—has a permanent seat at the table.

Elizabeth Cook Monticello High School

Elizabeth’s high school career has been a series of high-impact adventures. From hosting guest speakers to working as a lifeguard and private swim instructor, she demonstrates her intellect and deep-seated compassion. As president of both the National Honor and the National History Honor Societies, she helped organize food drives, mentored middle schoolers, and recruited 50 new members. She was also captain of the swim team and a standout defender in field hockey and twice won the Monticello High School’s Sportsmanship Award. Elizabeth is also a talented clarinetist and serves as an usher and lector at her church. Whether she is guiding a hesitant six-year-old through his first backstroke lap or connecting complex historical movements in her AP coursework, Elizabeth is a leader in the quiet and important work of lifting others up.