Dear Readers:

I'm pleased to announce the 2016 winners of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup. These young men and women represent the best of a young generation just coming up. They are evidence that the future is in good hands.

The AJC Cup is one of the oldest news organization award programs in the country. Since 1927, the AJC has proudly recognized generations of top Georgia high school students. They are selected for this honor by their school's faculty and administration. Schools base their decisions on academic excellence, leadership, community service and extra-curricular involvement. The award is presented during a senior event or at graduation.

Now I’m excited for the young people you’ll read about today. Please join me in saluting them – as well as the families, teachers and communities that have helped and supported them along the way.

Sincerely

Michael Joseph

Publisher

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

RELATED: Winners of the 2016 AJC Cup for outstanding Atlanta high school students

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC