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After receiving nearly half a million applications, the Stamps Scholars Program has announced its 18th class. This year’s class features one of Suffolk’s own, Anna Gomer, a 2023 King’s Fork High School graduate attending Virginia Tech. Gomer plans to study Environmental Conservation & Society.

Gomer said being named to the 2023 class provides her with an opportunity to pursue lifelong academic achievement.

“To me, being a Stamps Scholar means dedicating myself to the pursuit of lifelong academic achievement,” she said. “I feel that I will be able to impact the communities and issues that are important to me with the skills and knowledge I will gain with the help of the Stamps Scholars Program.” 

The 18th class of Stamps Scholars comprises 272 students attending 36 partner colleges and universities across the U.S. and the UK. Selected from over 473,000 applications, these Scholars are passionate about using their talents to impact their communities, locally and globally, positively.

According to a news release, Stamps Scholars are chosen for their academic excellence, leadership experience, dedication to service, and exceptional character. The approximate value of Stamps Scholarships for the new class over their time in school is worth up to $47.5 million. A new program expansion at The Ohio State University increases the current Scholars to over 1,000 for the first time.

“At most partner universities, the Stamps Scholarship covers up to the total estimated cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study and also includes enrichment funds that Scholars can use for academic and professional development, such as study abroad, internships, and independent research,” the release said.

Gomer said the scholarship will allow her to pursue enriching experiences and provide support from other scholars and alums that can aid in her success.

“Being a Stamps Scholar will greatly enhance my college experience by providing me with the resources and funding to pursue enriching experiences such as study abroad and academic conferences,” “I also have access to an expansive and still growing network of current Stamps Scholars and Alumni that want to help me succeed.”

Because the scholar program covers the estimated cost of attendance for her undergraduate studies, Gomer believes it will allow her to realize her goal of attending graduate school.

“Receiving this scholarship will make my goal of attending graduate school much more achievable for me as I can begin saving early,” she said. “I know that by joining the Stamps Scholars community, I am receiving an education that is perfectly tailored to my individual needs, yet also prepares me to work alongside bright minds from countless different disciplines. After graduation, the Stamps community can assist me in not only starting my career but making sure it is meaningful to me and positively impacts the world around me.”

Founder and chairman of the Stamps Scholars Program, Roe Stamps, says he is impressed with the passion, drive, and commitment to positively impacting the world.

“I am truly impressed by the passion and drive of this group of Stamps Scholars. Their deep commitment to making a positive impact on the world is evident, and their intelligence, talent, and creativity are simply extraordinary,” Stamps said in a news release. “I am confident that these remarkable young men and women will not only excel in their academic pursuits but also make significant contributions to their communities. It is an honor to welcome them as Stamps Scholars, and I am excited to see all they will achieve in the coming years.”

Continued engagement from the Stamps alum network beyond graduation offers many benefits to current Scholars, including one-on-one mentorships with alums who are professionals in the workforce, as well as virtual panels and Q&A sessions regarding graduate programs, career building, and fellowships.

Stamps Scholars are among the recipients of prestigious awards, including Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, Goldwater, Marshall, Rhodes, Truman, and Schwarzman Scholarships. Stamps alums work with top companies and organizations such as Google, Goldman Sachs, and NASA. They are pursuing graduate degrees at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Cambridge.