Among the students honored in the 2020 AJC Cup, 12 plan on attending a historically black college or university (HBCU). Some will remain in Georgia while others have accepted offers from schools around the country.
Below are of a few of this year’s winners and their plans.
Imani Blue, Mount Zion High School — Spelman College
Imani’s teachers and counseling team praised her for showing leadership skills inside and outside the classroom. The counseling team frequently acknowledged her constant willingness to lend a helping hand, too.
Credit: Caselove Productions
Credit: Caselove Productions
DiJon Seltzer, Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School — Xavier University
Described as “a class leader in every way,” DiJon was praised for excelling academically and for his skills as an excellent basketball player. His school is proud of him in every way.
Tamaradoye Oki, Lithonia High School — Howard University
Tamaradoye is described as “a naturally curious student who sees the world differently from his peers.” Always approaching studies with determination and a burning desire to achieve, he’s Lithonia High School’s salutatorian. Tamaradoye was also named the school’s 2018-2019 star student and plans to major in biology at Howard.
Imani Henry, Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School — Florida A&M University
Imani was chosen by Maynard Holbrook Jackson faculty and staff as their AJC Cup winner because she’s consistently been able to balance many different areas of student life. They include involvement in varsity volleyball, Thespian Society, National Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
Isaiah Payne, Lovejoy High School — Alabama State University
Described as “the type of student teacher's live for,” Isaiah went from a shy, quiet, unassuming student to an intelligent, articulate demonstrated student leader. In addition to a 4.022 GPA, he’s a two-sport athletic standout in soccer and football. Isaiah is also the JROTC Wing Commander where he leads, directs and manages all activities for 246 other students. He received a full scholarship to Alabama State University and plans to major in engineering.
Jeremiah Smoot, South Atlanta High School — Morehouse College
South Atlanta High School twelfth grade counselor James Springfield uses the following positive adjectives and phrases to describe future Morehouse studen Jeremiah: superior intellect and intelligence, intrinsic motivation and discipline. Springfield also said Jeremiah “shows confidence and poise in everything he does” and his likability sets him apart from his peers.
Dymaund Farmer, T.H.R.I.V.E. Christian Academy — Xavier University
A leader inside and outside the classroom, Dymaund served as T.R.I.V.E.’s inaugural senior class president, NHS president and Beta Club president while dual-enrolled at Georgia Military College. Graduating at the top of her class, Dymaund is receiving her high school diploma as well as an associate of science degree in biology.
Destiny Crawford, Benjamin E. Mays High School — Fort Valley State University
Destiny is a scholar and committed to her school and the community. As a student at Benjamin E. Mays High School, she has served on the Student Government Association and is now SGA president. She’s also involved in the Fulton County Youth Commission, the Atlanta Student Advisory Board and the Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation. Destiny is also on the soccer team and continues to excel academically.
Sensoury McKay, Creekside High School — Bethune-Cookman University
Named Creekside Star Student, Sensoury has been on the honor roll every semester. She’s also a member of the National Beta Club, National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars and has served as section leader for the past three years in the Creekside Marching Band. After being accepted to 27 colleges and universities, Sensoury chose to attend Bethune-Cookman University.
Ahmad Abdur-Rahman, WD Mohammed High School — Howard University
Ahmad has a 4.2 GPA and is WD Mohammed’s valedictorian. He served as the Varsity Boys Basketball Captain, president of the Student Government Association and completed the Georgia State University Leadership Academy for Youth. Ahmad has been offered a full scholarship to Howard University, as a Capstone Scholar and is described as “a model of outstanding character and self-discipline.”
Jalen Braithwaite, Stephenson High School — Bethune Cookman
One of Stephenson’s shining stars, Jalen is described as “the most humble and respectful scholar that one can encounter” with an“infectious” personality. Counselors Lolita Richards and Anika Ellington say he’s an extraordinary scholar who is extremely talented and constantly exhibits leadership qualities daily.
Camryn Turnipseed, Frederick Douglass High School — Howard University
Camryn’s persistence to discover and expand his educational horizons has been a very important part of his college and career goals. That persistence has enabled Camryn to grow and surpass his peers socially and academically, according to Frederick Douglass staff. Described as hardworking, ambitious, and tenacious, the faculty says he would “definitely be an asset to any educational institution.”
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