PowerMentor Awards the 2025 Jelly Poe MacBook Scholarship to Thnay Moo
Thnay Moo & Jelly Poe Created Image
Honoring the Legacy of Jelly Poe through Leadership, Resilience, and Service (Video of Award Presentation)
San Diego, CA – PowerMentor is proud to announce Ywa Hay Hsa Thnay Moo as the recipient of the 2025 Jelly Poe MacBook Scholarship Award. This annual scholarship honors the memory of Jelly Poe, whose life embodied resilience, faith, humility, and leadership, and whose story continues to inspire the Karen people worldwide.
Thnay, a dedicated student in San Diego, distinguished himself among applicants with his vision of service, his commitment to the Karen community, and his determination to pursue a career in law enforcement. His goal is to become a police officer in San Diego County, where he hopes to serve with integrity, restore trust, and support families in need—especially within the Karen community.
“I see my friends being influenced by drugs and money, and I have witnessed the cruelty of police officers,” Thnay shared in his application. “This has made me pursue my career in law enforcement. I want to change that, and I want to encourage people to have faith in themselves and not give up.”
Thnay has already taken steps toward his goal by joining the Emergency Dispatcher Academy to strengthen his skills and build his path toward law enforcement. He views this career not only as a way to protect and uplift his local community, but also as a foundation for one day returning to Kawthoolei to advocate for the rights and ownership of Karen land.
In his award-winning essay, Thnay reflected on Jelly Poe’s journey, particularly Jelly’s courage after losing his leg to cancer, ending his dream of becoming a professional soccer player, and ultimately claiming his life. He was especially moved by Jelly’s famous words:
“At my worst, I am still able to be my best.” - Jelly Poe
For Thnay, this quote became a guiding principle. “Jelly’s story taught me that true leadership is built upon humility and faith,” he wrote. “His courage to keep going through hard times will remind me never to give up on life, no matter the challenge I face. One day I hope to mentor Karen youth and share Jelly’s story so they can reflect on the same values Jelly stood for.”
The Jelly Poe MacBook Scholarship, created by PowerMentor, exists to inspire and empower Karen future leaders who carry forward the vision of freedom and self-autonomy. By awarding this scholarship, PowerMentor recognizes not only academic effort but also character, resilience, service to his Karen community, and more importantly, love for God, family, and country.
“Thnay Moo embodies the very qualities that defined Jelly Poe—faith, humility, courage, and a deep commitment to others,” said Kevin LaChapelle, founder of PowerMentor. “We are honored to present him with this year’s award, and we believe he will continue Jelly’s legacy through his life of service.”
About PowerMentor
PowerMentor is a leadership development and mentoring organization dedicated to inspiring resilience, fostering leadership, and advancing opportunities for those that have faced significant adversity. Through programs, scholarships, and advocacy, PowerMentor equips the next generation to rise as leaders who influence positive change in their communities and beyond.
Click here to read the winning essay.
