Sarah Floyd was born in Leesburg, Virginia, and graduated from Riverside High School. From a young age, Sarah knew she wanted to be active in her community. Inspired by her mother's journey from Ethiopia to the United States at 18 years old, Sarah had a strong desire to give back to the community that had instilled resilience in her mother.
At 14 years old, she joined the Wegene Ethiopian Foundation, an organization that improves Ethiopia's education, housing, and family stability. During her time with the organization, Sarah actively participated in coordinating events and facilitating the donation of various items to Ethiopia, like computers and shoes. Sarah also helped her local community, Washington D.C. She would spend some Sundays in their homeless shelters providing food and other necessities.
Eager to continue advocating for the underprivileged, Sarah initiated the "Spreading Smiles and Education" project. Through this project, she distributed essential items such as backpacks and writing materials to local students facing economic challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah participated in “Mobile Baking for Hearts,” where she delivered baked goods to hospitals and elderly care facilities. Sarah was also a member of the Potomac River Running High School Ambassador Program, where she played a vital role in fostering a sense of community among runners by organizing and hosting events, such as local 5k races. Her involvement in this program not only allowed her to form valuable connections but also sparked her interest in the field of business by learning the ins and outs of running various events. Sarah was also a member of the National Honor Society and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA).
Sarah balanced these extracurricular activities with a rigorous academic curriculum. Sarah was a four-year member of her school's honor roll and an AP Scholar. Furthermore, her achievements extended to the realm of sports, where she excelled as a member of her school's Track and Cross Country teams. Joining the Track team in her sophomore year and the Cross Country team in her junior year, Sarah earned medals in regional, state, and national races. Her achievements led to her becoming a captain of both the Track and Cross Country teams, recognition as Athlete of the Week, and receiving the Most Valuable Player award three times. Her passion for running continues at Santa Clara University, where she is a member of the Track and Cross Country team.
Sarah is honored to be a Johnson Scholar and a finance major at Santa Clara University. She is excited to utilize these tools to foster the change she wants to make in the world.