Lavie Maisha-Wema is a numbers person, so it seems fitting that math is her favorite subject. Becoming an accountant has been the plan since she was 10 years old.
“My parents always emphasized education…and [told us] to take advantage of every opportunity,” Lavie explained.
Lavie’s journey began far from Urbana. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she moved to the United States at age two. Now a senior at Urbana High School, Lavie has been selected as a recipient of the highly competitive QuestBridge National College Match, a program that connects high-achieving students with full four-year scholarships to some of the nation’s top colleges.
“I thought my application wouldn’t be worth their time,” Lavie admitted. “I delayed applying until the last minute. Eventually, I realized I had nothing to lose, so I submitted.”
Out of more than 25,000 applicants and approximately 7,000 finalists, Lavie distinguished herself—earning a full scholarship to Oberlin College where she plans to major in financial economics. Although she originally set her sights on becoming an accountant, Oberlin does not offer accounting as a major. Still, she views the broader finance focus as a benefit—and is also considering a future as an actuary. After Oberlin, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in accounting or actuarial science.
Lavie credits several educators with guiding and supporting her, including Mr. Foley, Ms. Spenser, Ms. Motley, Ms. Stuckemeyer, Ms. Harper, Mr. Kennedy and more. She even opened her QuestBridge match letter in Ms. Motley’s office.
“She always knew I was going to get it,” Lavie said. “They were all happy for me. I thank them all for helping me get here.”
At UHS, Lavie is heavily involved in extracurriculars: marching band, color guard, cross-country, track, basketball, FCA, Ladies in Lab Coats, Habitat for Humanity and National Honor Society. She also serves as class president and holds leadership roles across several groups. But one organization stands out.
“Student Council really shaped me,” she said. “It taught me leadership and communication. I used to wait for others to take charge—now I step up.”
In five to ten years, Lavie envisions continuing her education, earning her CPA or preparing for actuarial exams. Looking back, she has some advice for her 10-year-old self; “Life throws changes at you. Don’t be upset when things don’t go your way—the result might be better than what you imagined.”