Tahija was born in South America and moved to United States in 2004. She was awarded the MAPS Scholarship as she was entering her fourth-year studying architecture at the University of Pittsburgh.

Through her application, Tahija demonstrated strong will to be successful academically, while also finding ways to serve the community.

Upon receiving the scholarship, Tahija shared that being a MAPS Scholarship recipient means, “there will be a little less of a burden for my parents and I when it comes to tuition. It is nice knowing that there is an organization looking out and helping minorities in the field of architecture.”