ERLANGER, Ky. – DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has named Nihar Kummetha of Concord, North Carolina, as the recipient of the 2025 DAV Scholarships’ top prize of $30,000. Kummetha will be recognized Aug. 9 during the 2025 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Las Vegas.

The DAV Scholarships honor 10 students each year for their volunteer support of veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program and through DAV’s Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP).

Kummetha, 19, is a 2025 graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and is entering his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia to study biochemistry. He has spent the past four summers volunteering at VA medical facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I got started with volunteering because I wanted to give back to my community in a more meaningful way, and I truly found that by helping veterans,” said Kummetha. “It’s really made me more open and aware to the sacrifices made by those who’ve served our nation. I think the veterans have truly helped give me a deeper sense of purpose.”

He said that volunteering at the VA and working with veterans has inspired him to seek a career in medicine, adding that the scholarship will help him pursue his degree. He hopes he can one day come back to work at the VA as a doctor.

“Every one of our scholarship recipients represents the very best young men and women our country has to offer,” said DAV National Commander Daniel Contreras. “Through volunteering their time, they’ve made a direct impact in the lives of veterans, and I have no doubt that each will go on to continue to do work and service that matters.”

Additional scholarship recipients include:

$20,000   Myca Scroggins of Sherwood, Arkansas

$15,000   Olivia Palutis of Ocean Township, New Jersey

$10,000   Diya Shah of Greensboro, North Carolina

$7,500   Akosua Mensah of Charlotte, North Carolina

$7,500   Jonathan Johnson of Boston, Virginia

$5,000   Maya Mohan of Palo Alto, California

$5,000   Bailey Yarberry of Austin, Arkansas

$5,000   Langston Lilly of Beaver, West Virginia

$5,000   Briley Nienhueser of Holstein, Nebraska

In 2026, DAV will increase it scholarship offerings, awarding $140,000 across 15 scholarships to inspire volunteerism in students. Photos and media may be made available upon request.