40 Students Celebrated at African-American Youth Achievement Awards

Last week, Evanston Township High School hosted the 28th annual African-American Youth Achievement (AAYA) Awards to honor 40 African-American students from Evanston/Skokie public schools.

Students were recognized in a ceremony on February 6, 2025, for their daily actions that pay homage to the visions and legacy of African-American pioneers. Through initiative and perseverance, each awardee has excelled in character, civility, community service, leadership, scholarship, or sportsmanship.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Evanston/Skokie District 65 AAYA recipients:

• Bessie Rhodes: Byron Johnson and Lyra Pointer
• Chute: Jhorri Mack and Dante Wilson
• Dawes: Leandre Beckford and Kamarui McSwine
• Dewey: Katelyn Blackwood and Aidan Dennison
• Haven: Jonathan Jackson and Hannah Ngola
• King Arts: Hadassah Morris and Evan Taylor
• Kingsley: Jream Martin and Darren Slaughter
• Lincoln: Ademide Ayodeji Adelusi and Chinyerem Osuji
• Lincolnwood: Cameron Vassell and Jameer Wright
• Nichols: Djamal Abdelnassir and Simone Hewitt
• Oakton: Juvens Augustin and Amara Johnson
• Orrington: Nala Im and Nabil Mato
• Park: Isaiah Marcell Brunson and Keira Joseph
• Rice: Mariah Burnett
• Walker: Rebecca Bennett and Calder Bradshaw
• Washington: Rockwell Holman and Katie Paquette
• Willard: Atiya Alexander

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 2025 recipient of the Living Legend Trailblazer Award is C. Louise Brown.