Six Incoming Students Win Joseph P. Blades Scholarship

Chaina Nafziger of Archibold, Ohio has a passion for medical missions. At Taylor, she hopes to major in Exercise Science with the hope of going on to physical therapy school. Born in Haiti, she was adopted by her family at age eight. She has attended and served at Miracle Camp in Lawton, Michigan. She is a leader in band, youth group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, track, soccer, National Honors Society, and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America.

Lesly Castellanos of Indianapolis, Indiana, is senior class president at Heritage Christian School. She has played the cello in the orchestra since fifth grade. She also volunteers with the Latino Expo and other organizations in her community. She has been deeply involved at the Shepherd Community Center as well as with the IMPACT cultural club at her high school. She plans to study Communication at Taylor University.

Nigatu Daggett from Anchorage, Alaska, is an experienced camp counselor. He loves talking with kids about their lives and the good news of Christ. He is a leader in the Grace Christian School student council, National Honors Society, and captain of the wrestling team. Born in Ethiopia, he was adopted by his family when he was four years old. He will study Computer Engineering.

Matteo Baldwin-Avaredo from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is a four-year varsity athlete in football and track and field. He plans to run for the Taylor track and field team. He was born in Monclova, Mexico, to an American father and a Mexican mother. He speaks both English and Spanish in his home. He and his family help lead the Spanish-speaking service at his church. He first found out about Taylor University when he met Jeff Wallace, the Taylor chief of police, on a missions trip in the Bahamas. He will study Sport Management.

Halyna “Hali” Dikhtiar Christian grew up in Ukraine. She came to the United States when she was 13 years old and has not been able to return because of the war. She runs both cross-country and track and plans to continue running at Taylor. She is a quiet leader who speaks Russian, Ukrainian, and English. She will study business at Taylor University with the hope of returning to Ukraine to open a school.

Gracie Solomon of Seven, Maryland, is going to study Biology Health Sciences with the goal to go on to medical school. An excellent student, she is a leader in her church’s youth group and runs a cultural appreciation club at her school. She is also an athlete and a musician. Gracie speaks both English and Twi, a language from her parents’ native country of Ghana.