Liya Getahun

Born and raised under the San Diego sunshine, Liya is proud of her Ethiopian culture and heritage, speaking Amharic and English, and advocating for the needs of her community. Driven by her passion to serve, she spends her time volunteering at the local hospital, leading her school’s Black Student Union, and participating in STEM projects. Through these experiences, Liya’s goal is to destigmatize mental health and increase access to resources—whether for high school students or individuals facing homelessness. She enjoys spending time cooking authentic Ethiopian dishes with her family, swimming, and playing tennis. Liya can’t wait to harness the Bezos Scholars network to amplify marginalized voices and model youth engagement city‑wide.