Updated: African-American Youth Achievement Awards recognize Evanston students
Students from Evanston/Skokie school districts 65 and 202 were honored at the African-American Youth Achievement Awards program on February 24. (Photo: Evanston Photographic Studios)
Evanston Township High School hosted the 20th annual African-American Youth Achievement Awards (AAYA) to honor 38 African-American students from Evanston/Skokie public schools. These students were recognized on February 24, 2017 for their daily actions that pay homage to the visions and legacy of African-American pioneers.
The AAYA program is part of a Black History Month initiative and was sponsored by the City of Evanston, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Evanston North Shore Alumnae Chapter, Family Focus Evanston, First Bank and Trust, the Joe “Butch” Martin Fund, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Chi Omega Chapter, Northwestern University, McGaw YMCA, NAACP, Omega Pi Zeta of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Shorefront, in conjunction with Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and Evanston Township High School District 202.
2017 high school AAYA recipients
Evanston Township High School
Michael Alexander
Gabriel Cheeks
Justin Davis
Kennedy Freeman
Mecari Macon
Lauryn Poyser
Saniet Rander
Elyjah Williams
2017 middle school AAYA recipients
Chute — Marcus Louis-Charles and Maya Wellington
Haven — Jahnese Adams and Nathaniel Smith
Nichols — Quinn Hughes and Amonni Watson
2017 elementary and magnet school AAYA recipients
Bessie Rhodes — Taija Banks and Elijah Bull
Dawes — Natalia Fleming and Javonier Rattay
Dewey — Christopher Alexander and Rickia Latchman
King Arts — Tony Callion and Nora Miller
Kingsley — Lena Liddell and Rylan Sims
Lincoln — Mariyanna Marshall and Damarion Timberlake
Lincolnwood — Jonathan Dickson and Elyse King
Oakton — Pharaoh Anderson and Milan-Giovanni Fultz
Orrington — Kani Bruce and Jamila Hackett
Walker — Jalen Johnson and Casey Nkezea
Washington — Annika Stewart and Brandon Watson
Willard — Georges Bahombwa and Isabelle Ebeling
As part of the AAYA program, the Living Legend-Trailblazer Award honors African-American Evanstonians for their leadership and community contributions that encourage and inspire African-American youth. The 2017 recipient of the Living Legend-Trailblazer Award is Lun Ye Crim Barefield. Myla Young (right) accepted the award on her mother's behalf when the certificate was presented by Denise Martin (left). (Photo: Evanston Photographic Studios)