Class of 2021 CLASS of 2021 the Gwinnett County Board of Education Congratulates the Class of 2021!

Communique Gwinnett County Public Schools May 2021

CelebratingCelebrating the Class of 2021 CLASS of 2021 The Gwinnett County Board of Education congratulates the Class of 2021!

The future is bright for the graduating seniors of the Class of 2021! Click here to see video links from the Gwinnett County Board of Education, joined by CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks, sharing their greetings and well-wishes for the future. Congratulations to our graduates!

437 Old Peachtree Rd., NW • Suwanee, GA 30024-2978 • (678) 301-6000 www.gcpsk12.org 2021 Gwinnett County Board of Education Everton Blair, Jr., 2021 Chairman, District IV; Karen Watkins, 2021 Vice Chairman, District I; Steven B. Knudsen, District II; Dr. Mary Kay Murphy, District III; and Dr. Tarece Johnson, District V J. Alvin Wilbanks, CEO/Superintendent It is the policy of Gwinnett County Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any employment practice, educational program, or any other program, activity, or service.

Communiqué is produced by Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Department of Communications and Media Relations. Thanks to the staff and administrators who helped us honor our seniors in this issue. Special thanks to our students for sharing their talents in this publication.

This publication captures a snapshot of the Class of 2021, with photos, performances, and just afe w of the scholarships and awards garnered by members of this outstanding group of students. We know that many, many more of our students earned prestigious honors and scholarships that are not part of this publication. And we estimate that listing just the names of all of our graduates would take 88 pages! Congratulations to all of the members of the Class of 2021. We are so very proud of you!

Table of Contents A Salute to Our Seniors 1 National, State, and Local Scholarships 9 Celebrating the Class of 2021 2 Other Special Honors 14 Valedictorians and Salutatorians 6

Front cover: Senior Jazmyn Wright from Discovery HS. You can find a link on page 3 to hear her reflection on her high school experience. The FuTure AwAiTs The ClAss oF 2021! The best way to predict your future is to create it.~Abraham Lincoln Whether they attended in-person classes or completed their high school career in a digital format, the seniors in the Class of 2021 have been through a lot over the last 15 months. Milestone events and senior activities have looked much different than what previous classes have experienced. Yet, with resilience and future-focused optimism, our graduates have made the most of their senior year! More than 13,000 seniors are on track for graduation! Graduation ceremonies for the district’s 24 diploma-granting high schools start with Phoenix HS on May 24 and wrap up on May 31 with Lanier HS. College, careers, military service, and travel are among the next stops for our 2021 graduates. In the fall, most seniors—77%—are headed to universities, colleges, and postsecondary schools in Georgia and around the country. Most students (85%) will attend school in Georgia, with 86% enrolling in a four-year college or university and the balance attending a two-year college or technical college. Among the students heading out of state, 51 will matriculate at one of the eight prestigious Ivy League schools. We have more than 1,300 students (10% of grads) attending one of the top 50 schools in the country or one of the top 25 public colleges or universities in the U.S. (based on U.S. News & World Report ranking). And our seniors will have financial help to complete their education. As of April 2021, our graduates have been offered more than $161.8 million in academic, athletic, and military scholarships, with nearly 15% of college-bound graduates offered at least one scholarship. Academic achievement earned offers of more than $97.5 million, including large, multi-year scholarships such as 1 Co- ca-Cola Scholar, 2 Horatio Alger Scholars, 2 Cooke Scholars, 7 Posse Scholars, and 1 Complete Your Journey scholarship recipient. What’s significant is the number and amount of scholarships that were not yet announced when senior information was compiled in April, including HOPE awards (typically, about a third of graduates), National Merit Scholars, and the full-ride scholarships awarded to GCPS’ 31 QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship recipients and 3 Gates Scholars. Student athletes earned more than $61.5 million in athletic scholarships. Gwinnett grads continue to answer the call to military service. The nation’s military service academies offered appointments to 7 young leaders, representing more than $2.7 million in scholarships. A total of 344 seniors will serve their country through military service after graduation, including cadets who honed their leadership skills in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) units available at 14 GCPS high schools. Nearly 1,900 students will enter the workforce after high school, many armed with credentials and certificates earned through our career and technical education programs and sought after by local employers. Students graduating from the district’s Academy high schools—Berkmar, Central Gwinnett, Discovery, Lanier, Meadowcreek, Shiloh, and South Gwinnett—complete high school with valuable exposure to college majors of interest and experience in potential careers. Another 700+ seniors have other post-graduation plans—from mission work to “gap year” travel. A record-breaking number of seniors are graduating with a grade percent average of 90 or better. Among our4,022 Honor Gradu- ates are each school’s highest ranking students—the valedictorian (1st in class) and the salutatorian (2nd in class). More than half of our seniors—6,757—experienced the challenge and rigor of college-level Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses during high school, with more than half (3,746) of those students earning a 3 or better (5-point scale) on optional AP exams to earn college credit or advanced placement in college classes. Another group getting a head start on college? The 1,757 Gwin- nett grads who participated in the state’s dual-enrollment program, earning both high school and college credit. Congratulations to our graduates and their families! We wish our seniors the very best in the future you create!

In a year unlike any other, schools and seniors found a way to keep traditions alive. At left, Grayson HS moves Awards Night from the theatre to the stadium. At right, Parkview seniors accessorize their togas with masks.

Page 1 1 Celebrating the spirit and voice of the Class of 2021 CreativeCreative expressions expressions of our graduating of our seniors Poem from Brookwood HS senior graduating seniors Ethan Schloss. Click here or on the image to see the performance.

Art by Archer HS senior Aliyah Garcia. Collins Hill HS senior Kevin Tran plays all the instruments in this cover of “Wake Me Up” by Avicii. Click here or on the image to view his performance.

Matthew Kwon and Hugo Mejia, Meadowcreek HS “Over the past year, we were blessed with the opportunity to serve on the Executive Board for the Georgia Association of Student Councils (GASC). The Georgia As- sociation of Student Councils prides itself on being an organization dedicated to serving, growing, and in- spiring the future generation of leaders. Being able to make an impact in just the smallest fraction of this big movement was a gift we never would have imagined. GASC taught us patience and taught us how to love unconditionally through our actions. From the nights we spent writing the gazette to the afternoons we spent taking minutes, it was truly the purest form of service. We will continue to grow and make an impact in our community thanks to the wonderful lessons “Strawberry Fields” by Central Gwinnett HS senior Leslee GASC instilled in us. It will always be a blessing and our Chavez heart wishes for the growth of this wonderful organization.”

Page 2 Violin performance from GSMST senior Milan Nayak. Click here or on the image to view his performance.

Senior Jazmyn Wright from Discovery “Red Bride” by Norcross HS senior Esmeralda “Overwhelmed” by Lanier HS senior HS speaks about her experience. Click Hernandez-Vasquez. Rhyleigh Mills. here or on the image to hear her reflection.

Duluth HS participated in the Shuler Hensley Musical Awards this year via Zoom. Seniors Caylyn Kelly, Marlena Collins, and Isabelle Ponder were all recognized by The Shuler Awards for their performances and work on “Sister Act.” Duluth High School’s production of “Sister Act, Jr.” received the Shuler Showstopper Award in the 13th Annual Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards. Click here or on the image to see a clip from the performance. Painting from Dacula HS senior Grace Miller.

The Mill Creek HS Dance Team. Click here or on the image to view the performance.

Art from McClure Health Science HS senior Brayan Valdez Magana. “This scene of a butterfly and a bee was inspired by a childhood memory in which I visited a butterfly sanctuary. I chose to use subtle colors for all other subjects except the butterfly because the butterfly is the focal point of my story. The butterfly represents my childhood and how I’ve changed since then. It is a coming- of-age story. I represented myself in the orange and yellow butterfly with the themes of freedom and spirituality in mind. These two themes are themes that have been present for much of my years, leading up to today.”

Page 3 3 Courtney Abdul-Azis, Shiloh HS “Completing my senior year through these unprecedented times is not what I always dreamed of. I wanted to be like my childhood friends from High School Musical, and spend this year carefree and with the people that I love. However, the evil hands of COVID-19 crushed my dreams. For months, I laid in anguish, heartbroken over what could have been. I thought of everything that I was being denied, and everything that I would never be able to tell my grandkids about. After this sadness that I drowned myself in, the rain began to stop, and the sun began to shine. I finally saw my situation for what it was—a blessing. I was confined to the four walls of my room, but at least I was healthy, unlike so many others. I remembered that I have teachers that continue to Artwork by Paul Duke STEM HS senior Gisselle Fernandez. persevere through these daunting times, and continue to “This year has been inexplicably difficult for everyone, for more than one reason, and I am no exception. Ever since quarantine shine their light on me. They have helped me with my col- started, I have felt a disconnection from friends and family. I lege essays, recommendations, and have given me a vir- have classmates whom I haven’t seen for a year and family as tual shoulder to cry on. Their tenacity to teach to a screen well. This piece was made to demonstrate how I feel under the full of seniors always seems to motivate me to do my very unprecedented times we are in.” best. I owe it to the people that have continued to help me throughout my high school journey to succeed. As I am wrapping up my senior year, I realize how in- debted I am to Shiloh High School. COVID-19 may have stolen my final year from me, but the mentors, friends, and memories that I made here are mine forever. I can only hope to go out in the world and continue to pay homage to the school that has done so much for me.” North Gwinnett HS Gameday State Champs. Seniors on the squad are Ashley Bogtong, Christina Cuadra, LaDania Dean, Kelly FitzGerald, Isabella Long, Kylie Sobh, Kelly Tharp, and Ashlyn Wood. Click here or on the image to see a video of the competition.

Gwinnett Online Campus senior Ethan Caldwell: A Digital Photography by South Gwinnett HS senior Trase Lee. An Production on a Bright Future Ahead. Click here or on the image Entrepreneurship student, Trase recently received a business license for his to view his performance. company, Tray Productions Photography.

Page 4 Photography by Phoenix HS senior TJ Winking.

“Cirque” performance by Mountain View HS senior Emma Stewart. Click here or on the image to view the performance.

Berkmar HS seniors Melani Juarez-Estrada and Jaqueline Morales Navas perform a piece they created as part of the school’s digital/in-person student choreography showcase. Click here or on the image to view the performance.

Art by Parkview HS senior Anusha Kotadiya.

Seniors from Grayson HS perform “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Click here or on the image to see their performance.

Monologue by Peachtree Ridge HS senior Rong Xin Hu. Click here or on Photography by Grayson High School Technical Education Program the image to hear the senior Sydney Pope, who attends Collins Hill HS. “This year has been performance. an especially difficult year for all of us. Nature has always been an escape for me, and photography is the way I share my thoughts and feelings about nature to others.”

Page 5 2021 Valedictorians and Salutatorians Archer High School Berkmar High School

Colin Cooper Clickner Ethan Alexander Bowen Jennifer Tran Vicky Tong Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Brookwood High School Central Gwinnett High School

Faizaan Baig Andrea An Lois Ibukunoluwa Nayzet Pena Valedictorian Salutatorian Omorara Salutatorian Valedictorian Collins Hill High School Dacula High School

Kim Nguyen Kaylie Chin Caitlyn Coker Rayna Dyke Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian

Discovery High School Duluth High School

Saeeda Osei Frimpong Chanh Nguyen Srikar Narayan Sahil Punwani Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian

Page 66 2021 Valedictorians and Salutatorians Grayson High School Gwinnett Online Campus

Christopher Rhine Zion Brannon David Gallagher Ethan Thomas Caldwell Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Lanier High School

Donghao Jiang Avyesh Kapadia Jeremhy Cesar Veronica Roberson Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian

McClure Health Science High School Meadowcreek High School

Jocelyn Miranda Risala Gafurova Sharfa Khan Linh-Tu Bui Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian

Mill Creek High School Mountain View High School

Lauren Gomez Phillip Kim Katie Shin Sydney Scott Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian

Page7 7 2021 Valedictorians and Salutatorians Norcross High School North Gwinnett High School

Eric Van Ness Joshua Mao Sarah Park Caren Kim Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Parkview High School Paul Duke sTem High School

Lawrence Zhou Velda Wang Aaron Pinder Lauren Antonowich Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Peachtree Ridge High School Shiloh High School

Isaac Hwang Nikita Dandekar Kennedy Odiboh Anya Bibbs Valedictorian Salutatorian Valedictorian Salutatorian South Gwinnett High School Maxxis Scholarship All Gwinnett County Public Schools Valedictorians and Salutatorians receive a one-time award of $500 from Maxxis International-USA.

Donors make a difference! A gift to the GCPS Foundation Fund is the best way to ensure that current and future students are afforded the very best in educational opportunities. Gifts may be Leah Yadessa Olivia Bowers directed to dedicated scholarship funds, districtwide needs, or to a Valedictorian Salutatorian specific cluster or initiative. Please make your gift online today! Page 8 8 NATioNAl sCholArship wiNNers 2021 Gates Scholars The Gates Scholarship eliminates barriers to college for high-potential, low-income minority students. Funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this last-dollar scholarship is awarded to 300 students per year. Scholars receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by FAFSA, or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs. In addition to funding, The Gates Scholarship provides further support to Scholars, by engaging with them and their institutions in a variety of ways, to ensure they have access to the resources and services they need, from their first to last day of classes, through graduation and the transition to their chosen careers.

Berkmar High School Peachtree Ridge High School Shiloh High School Jennifer Tran Shivani Desai Anya Bibbs

2021 QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship Recipients QuestBridge is a non-profit organization that connects high-achieving, low-income high school seniors with full scholarships to the nation’s top colleges. College Match Scholarship Recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners with guaranteed, full four- year scholarships that are provided by QuestBridge’s 45c ollege partners, including top liberal arts colleges and exceptional research universities. This list includes recipients of QuestBridge National College Match Scholarships and their college plans.

Archer High School Duluth High School Mountain View High School George Adae-Mensah— Jazmin Rivera—Princeton University Urim Lee—Vassar College Vanderbilt University Ashley Gaytan—Yale University Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, Yosenlis Fabian—Boston College Obutor Ogonor—Columbia University and Technology North Gwinnett High School Maryam Shariff—University of Chicago Aryan Ashraf—Swarthmore College Bita Jalalian—Princeton University Mariam Drammeh—Washington & Lee Berkmar High School University Parkview High School Sam Hassan—University of Notre Dame Emily Pena—Rice University Harsha Somaya—Colby College Abram Toledo—Emory University Eun Sil Rollins— Shiloh High School Jennifer Tran—University of Notre Dame Washington University in St. Louis Anya Bibbs—Yale University Janice Yim—Northwestern University Central Gwinnett High School South Gwinnett High School Lois Omotara—Princeton University Lanier High School Modebola Adesina— Joy Choi— Collins Hill High School University of Notre Dame Washington University in St. Louis Emanuel Fitsum—Hamilton College Kristine Motta Maldonado— Jalen Harris—Emory University Washington & Lee University Charlene Pobee— Ayman Tewfik—University of Pennsylvania Meadowcreek High School Washington University in St. Louis Brandon Saltzman—Stanford University Leah Yadessa—Columbia University Discovery High School One additional student has been honored Mohammed Fahim— Mill Creek High School with this scholarship, but did not give University of Pennsylvania Dhaiana Tapia Rodriguez— permission to be listed. Dartmouth College

2021 Cooke College Scholarship Recipients This highly competitive scholarship, awarded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, includes up to $40,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school to pursue any area of study, as well as advisement on college selection, financial aid, and the transition to college.

Mill Creek High School Shiloh High School Grace Ahn Kennedy Odiboh

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2021 Posse Scholars Founded in 1989, the Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams—Posses—of 10 students. Partner colleges and universities award four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships to Posse Scholars. Posse Scholars go on to graduate at a rate of 90% and make a visible difference on campus and throughout their professional careers. GCPS seniors honored as Posse Scholars are: Archer High School Peachtree Ridge High School Martha Pasatiempo—Bard College Huleymatu Sow—Boston University

Brookwood High School Shiloh High School Dunisha Panditaratne—George Washington University Jamahl Neal—Brandeis University Emma Rhodes—George Washington University Anthony Ruiz—Brandeis University

McClure Health Science High School Aimee Hernandez—College of Wooster

2021 National Merit Semifinalists The 2021 National Merit competition began with results of the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Competition Qualifying Tests, taken in the junior year. Last fall,s emifi nalists were designated, based on the highest scores in the states that make up each region. A rigorous selection process determines finalists for scholarship awards. Most National Merit scholarships are one-time awards of $2,500. Corporate-funded scholarships are marked with an asterisk and NMSC-funded scholarships are marked with two asterisks. Additional scholarships will be awarded by colleges in June and July to students in this list.

Archer High School Gwinnett School of Mountain View High Parkview High School Morgan J. Bell** Mathematics, Science, School Havishkrit Arya And Technology Katie S. Shin Sydney R. Walker Brookwood High School Theodora T. Alese Anna M. Wang Andrea F. An* Aryan Ashraf Norcross High School Velda S. Wang William R. Bray** Connor G. Burrell Cooper H. Allen Shihao Xu Kaylee W. Fang Chelsea B. Campbell Aidan C. Dealy Heyi “Alina” Zhang** Syed W. Ghaus Jianwei Chen Elliott J. Januzelli Grace L. Guo Zachariah F. Dawood* Martin T. Lachev Peachtree Ridge High Sandeed S. Sikandar Avani R. Dhuri* Abigail S. Lewis School Trang Thanh Thuy Vu Jordan S. Hammond Eric J. Van Ness** Nikita R. Dandekar** Ryan Z. Li Isaac Y. Hwang** Collins Hill High School Cynthia Lin North Gwinnett High Brian S. Ji** Wells W. Bussey Joshua G. Mellott School Brian J. Lee Vidur J. Saigal Madeline C. Busse** Duluth High School Anne G. Wang Jingrou Chen Ria Iyengar Grace S. Wang** Caren H. Kim** Srikar Narayan* Colton W. Woodring Hyun Woo Kim Gopesh Singal Leo Xu Sophie M. Lee William T. Yoon Megha Mishra** Grayson High School Sarah W. Park** Christopher “Tyler” Lanier High School Steven Z. Vacha** Rhine* Veronica N. Roberson

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2021Amazon Future Engineer 2021 College Board “Complete Your Scholarship Recipients Journey” Scholarship Recipient Amazon Future Engineer—a Research shows that completing specific steps can help clarify the childhood-to-career computer sci- complex college planning process, especially for low-income and first- ence education program—awards generation students. With College Board’s Opportunity Scholarship $40,000 scholarships and paid Program, students earn scholarships—from $500 to $40,000—by Amazon internships to 100 stu- completing six simple college planning steps. The six simple steps dents each year. Amazon Future include actions all students can take on their journey to postsecond- Engineer is part of Amazon’s $50 million commitment to ary studies such as building a college list, filling out a FAFSA form, STEM and computer science education. The program is and applying to two or more colleges. Completing each step earns a available in the U.S., UK, Canada, and France. Recipients chance for a $500 scholarship. Students who complete all six steps are of the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship are chosen eligible for one of 25 Complete Your Journey Scholarships, valued at based on a variety of criteria, including their academic $40,000 each. More than 1 million students have participated in the achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in College Board Opportunity Scholarships program since it launched in school and community activities, work experience, future December 2018, earning more than $10 million in scholarships. This goals, and financial need. This year, five Georgia students year, 34 Gwinnett seniors earned Opportunity Scholarships, including were selected for this scholarship, including two GCPS a digital learner who was surprised with a $40,000 “Complete Your seniors. Journey” Scholarship on a live segment of Good Morning America! Yoanna Turura of Grayson High School Karyn Huang of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Sierra Frisbee of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

2021 Coca-Cola Scholar The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. A total of 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. The scholarship is unique in that recipients have between four and 10 years to use the full award and may opt to defer all or part of the 2021 Horatio Alger Scholarship award within that 10-year timeframe. Recipients Jamal Sayid of Grayson High School The Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The scholarships, awarded to 106 students na- tionwide this year, are funded by Horatio Alger members who, like the scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders. The scholarship is worth $25,000. Alexis Nguyen of Discovery High School Kennedy Odiboh of Shiloh High School

11 NATioNAl ANd sTATe hoNors 2021 Service Academy Appointments 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholar The U.S. Service Academies are four-year postsecondary inst-i The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by tutions that combine educational excellence with military o-f executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our ficer training. Students accepted to the academies receive a free, nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, four-year education in return for a commitment to serve in the up to 161 graduating seniors are honored as Presidential Scholars, active-duty military after graduation. In order to be admitted, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. One GCPS students must receive a congressional nomination from either seniors was among the 18 semifinalists in the state who vied for one their U.S. Representative or Senator and must meet the highly of three spots as a U.S. Presidential Scholar representing Georgia. competitive educational and extracurricular standards that are set by the individual academies as well as standards for phys-i cal aptitude and medical fitness. The following seven GCPS U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalist seniors were offered service academy appointments. Skylar Rayelle Hughes of Grayson High School

Archer High School Kitana Burgard—U.S. Air Force Academy Zion Jackson—U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Army) 2021 Georgia Scholars Discovery High School The Georgia Scholar Program is a recognition program by the Georgia Department of Education honoring high school seniors Andrew Miller-Craig—U.S. Military Academy at West Point who have achieved excellence in school and community life. (Army) A group of 30 GCPS seniors were among the 323 graduates in the state who were honored as Georgia Scholars. Grayson High School Marbu Neal—U.S. Air Force Academy Brookwood High School McClure Health Science High Hillary Aina School Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Andrea An Khushi Isani Matthew Purvis—U.S. Naval Academy Michael Davis Shari Gasper Norcross High School Mill Creek High School Cooper Allen Hunter Dunnington—U.S. Military Academy at West Point Nooree Husnani (Army) Silmi Keshwani Tiffani “Tif” Baker Deborah Mativo Charlotte Burts Peachtree Ridge High School Ciara Mitchell Moira Christ Bridget Hoang—U.S. Naval Academy Krish Modi Kevin Li Trang Vu Parkview High School Dacula High School Olivia Draper Jalen Cauley Reshma Hakani Aminatou “Amy” Doukoure Shivani Virani Peachtree Ridge High School Shivani Desai Duluth High School Chandni Jain Kaitlyn Banh Somi Jang Shiloh High School Anya Bibbs Grayson High School Michael Kemp Kennedy Odiboh West Point Cadets Zion Brannon Yoanna Turura

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2021 Beauty P. Baldwin Scholarship Recipients This $1,000 scholarship—co-sponsored by Upsilon Alpha Omega, the Gwinnett Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the GCPS Foundation—is awarded to African American high school seniors to further their educational opportunities.

Archer High School Grayson High School Lanier High School North Gwinnett High School Kimberly Joi Sagoes Janelle Brooke Anthony Kashanti Chinyah Jones Hannah Camille Jones Zion Gabrielle Brannon Brookwood High School Mill Creek High School Peachtree Ridge High School Morgan Haley Franklin Hillary Ayodele Aina Bree Michelle Withrow Evan Baldwin Gonzalez Skylar Rayelle Hughes Mikylah Alexis Blackshire Christian Sean Stoddart Lauryn Grace Peppers Norcross High School Lyric Sloan Franklin Jamal Sayid Kayla Simone Slack Shiloh High School Kaimet Esayas Eyasu Haile Jasmine Danielle Anya Rene Bibbs Alaana Darian Lydia Henry Gwinnett School of Weathersby-Alexander Mathematics, Science, Victoria Elaine-Marie Brown Donna Ashley Hill Ciara Ashley Mitchell and Technology Kaylee Makeva Wilson

Cobi Lynn Wright

2021 Kappa Alpha Psi LDAC Chapter Scholarship Recipients Through its annual scholarship program, the Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumni Chapter (LDAC) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity continues the tradition of supporting African American male students in pursuing a postsecon-d ary education and building strong values and leadership in the community. This year, LDAC distributed college scholarships and other awards to 27 GCPS seniors, including one-time awards ranging from $250 to $1,000 and one four-year award totaling $10,000. Over the last ten years, LDAC has assisted more than 306 Gwinnett students with postsecondary education expenses, awarding $264,325 in scholarships to date.

LDAC Chapter Scholarship Jawun Jackson of Peachtree Ridge High Terry Dykes ROTC Scholarship ($10,000) Paid in annual installments of School ($1,000) One-time award in memory of Xavier Jones-Benjamin of Archer High $2,500 as long as 2.5 GPA is maintained a Kappa Alpha Psi brother who passed School Nathan Eyasu of Collins Hill High School Matthew Kededa of Berkmar High School away, open to male and female students Trase Lee of South Gwinnett High School in JROTC program Christian McIntyre of Mill Creek High Christian Wilson of Shiloh High School LDAC Chapter Scholarship School ($1,000) One-time award Jeremy “Jery” Owusu of Brookwood High Alpha Barry of Central Gwinnett High School Additional awards were distributed to School Maurice Samuels of Mountain View High participants in LDAC’s mentoring program. Jalen Cauley of Dacula High School School Pape Diop of Collins Hill High School

2021 Liga de Campeones Scholars 2021 Belli Memorial Scholars The winners of the “League of Champi- Awarded through the Community Foundation for Northeast ons” award stand out for their entrepre- Georgia, the Belli Memorial Scholarship provides college tuition neurial spirit and academic, athletic, and expense monies to graduates with documented economic and community achievements. Scholars need who may not be identified as academic or athletic leaders each receive $1,000 toward college in their schools but possess the skills to be academically successful tuition with this award, sponsored by in college. The annual award of $5,000 may be renewed for up Univision Atlanta. to four years. Albany F. Zavarce Angulo of Collins Hill High School Carmen Benjamin at Mountain View High School

Page13 13 FouNdATioN sCholArship wiNNers 2021 Scholarships awarded through Gwinnett County Public Schools the GCPS Foundation Fund, Inc. Annually,Annu the aGwinnettlly, th eCounty Gw iPublicnnett Foundation County Fund, Pu bInc.,lic awards Scho ao numberls Fou ofn one-timedation scholarships Fund, In toc., graduating awards seniors. FOUNDATION fundeda throughnumb theer of one-time scholarships to graduating seniors, funded through the generosity of local businesses and organizations and contributions from generous staff and community members.M ore than 130 graduating seniors earned $129,100 in district and school-specific scholarships administered through the Foundation, including the one-time awards on these pages. The 2021–22 Scholarship Catalog will be released online in fall of 2021.

2021 J. Alvin Wilbanks Teaching Scholarship ($5,000) Officer for GCPS, who served more than two decades on PSFCU’s Sponsored by Peach State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU)— Board of Directors. This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing Established in 2007 in honor of CEO/Superintendent Wilbanks’ a career in education. longtime service to public education, and in recognition of his Stephanie Olvera of Meadowcreek High School leadership (1996–2021) in guiding the district to state and national prominence, this scholarship is awarded to seniors pursuing a career 2021 PSFCU Rick Cost Student Scholarship ($2,500) in education. Sponsored by PSFCU—This scholarship is in honor of Rick Cost, Kennedy Odiboh of Shiloh High School executive director of Treasury Services and retired Chief Financial Officer for GCPS, for his contributions to the school system. This 2021 Louise Radloff Scholarship ($5,000) scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in education. Sponsored by PSFCU—This scholarship recognizes a Gwinnett Joseph “Joe” Warren Cordova ofN orcross High School County senior who has overcome a significant personal challenge in order to graduate. This fund was established in 2004 in honor 2021 Peach State Legacy Student Scholarship ($5,000) of four decades of service by former Gwinnett County Board of Sponsored by PSFCU—This scholarship honors past and present Education member Louise Radloff. board members and employees who have served PSFCU for 20 years Katie Victoria Oglesby of Central Gwinnett High School or more. This scholarship is awarded to seniors pursuing a career in education. 2021 Alton C. Crews Educator Scholarship ($1,000) Shivani Desai of Peachtree Ridge High School Sponsored by the Foundation—Since 2002, donations made Kaylee Wanlu Fang of Brookwood High School in memory of Dr. Crews (GCPS superintendent, 1977–89) have Christopher “Tyler” Rhine of Grayson High School funded this scholarship, awarded to GCPS seniors pursuing a teaching career. 2021 Georgia United Credit Union Young Leaders Ja’Maya King of Peachtree Ridge High School Scholarship ($2,000) Co-sponsored by Georgia United Credit Union in partnership with the GCPS Foundation—This award is 2021 UES Robbie Susan Moore Scholarship ($1,000) presented to graduating females who have distinguished themselves Sponsored by United Ebony Society of Gwinnett—Founded in as a community volunteer, entrepreneur, or school leader. 2011 to honor the community service of Robbie Susan Moore, this Victoria Elaine-Marie Brown of Shiloh High School scholarship recognizes college-bound seniors dedicated to serving Christa Elizabeth Campbell of Collins Hill High School the community. Carmen Anne Benjamin of Mountain View High School Shivani Desai of Peachtree Ridge High School Lyric Sloan Franklin of Brookwood High School 2021 Teaching as a Profession Scholarship ($500–$1,000) Ciara Ashley Mitchell of Brookwood High School Co-sponsored by the Foundation and Georgia United Credit Union—This scholarship is awarded to seniors enrolled in the Early 2021 Sower’s Scholarship ($2,000) Childhood Education and Teaching as a Profession programs who Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lockett—This scholarship are planning to pursue education degrees in college. is awarded to participants in the Community-Based Mentoring Hailey Brynn Wiggins of North Gwinnett High School ($1,000) Program who have distinguished themselves through their cha-r acter, leadership, and as an example for others, and will attend a Ja’Maya King of Peachtree Ridge High School ($500) Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Alexandria “Alex” Danielle Nugent ofMi ll Creek High School Jeremi Cordell Holmes of Grayson High School ($500) Stephanie Olvera of Meadowcreek High School ($500) 2021 GCPS Foundation Mathematics Scholarship ($1,500) Ashley Jade Wilson of Peachtree Ridge High School ($500) Sponsored by the Foundation—Established in 2013, the scholarship is awarded to one or more GCPS seniors with plans to 2021 PSFCU Dr. Frances Davis Legacy Scholarship ($2,500) enroll in an undergraduate course of study in or related Sponsored by PSFCU—This scholarship is in honor of Dr. Frances to mathematics. Davis, former associate superintendent of District Performance Hyeyeon “Layna” Jeong of Collins Hill High School and Community Engagement and retired Chief Human Resources Page14 14 FouNdATioN sCholArship wiNNers

2021 Mark A. Herndon Mathematics, Science, Technology 2021 Atlanta Gladiators Aim High Scholarship ($1,000) Scholarship ($1,500) Sponsored by the Atlanta Gladiators—This award is presented to Sponsored by the Mark Herndon Family—This scholarship is seniors with a desire to pursue a profession in sports medicine, sports awarded to a GCPS senior with plans to enroll full-time in an management, entertainment, event planning, or a related field. undergraduate course of study in mathematics, science, or technology Cory Hahneul Shin of Mill Creek High School preferably at (but not limited to) the University of Georgia. Joshua Mao of Norcross High School 2021 Courtney S. Blair Student Leadership Scholarship ($1,000) Sponsored by Courtney S. Blair Fund—This award is presented 2021 GCPS Foundation Science, Engineering, and Technology to seniors who are in the top 5% of their class and who have Scholarship ($1,000) overcome significant adversity and have financial need. Sponsored by the Foundation—In recognition of outstanding Lauren Antonowich of Paul Duke STEM High School performance at the regional level, a one-time award of $1,000 is Victoria Elaine-Marie Brown of Shiloh High School presented to GCPS seniors with plans to enroll full-time at the Kennedy Odiboh of Shiloh High School postsecondary level in a course of study in science, technology, Mohamed Hamza Suufi of Peachtree Ridge High School engineering, or mathematics. Chandni Pari Jain of Peachtree Ridge High School 2021 Beth Rihm Global Language Scholarship (up to $1,000) Ciara Ashley Mitchell of Brookwood High School Sponsored by the Foundation—This scholarship is presented to seniors who have demonstrated a proficiency in a spoken foreign 2021 GCPS Foundation STEM Scholarship ($1,500) Sponsored language and expressed a desire to deepen fluency through cultural by the Foundation—This scholarship is awarded to one or more immersion or extracurricular study. Established in 2015 by Rachel GCPS seniors who plans to enroll in a college course of study in B. Mehravari, a Brookwood grad and former Rihm memorial science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. scholarship recipient. Khandaker Mohammed Ali Aqib of Mill Creek High School Connor Matthew Crosby of Brookwood High School ($1,000) Katheryn Stacy Antonowich of Paul Duke STEM High School Desiree Mandujano of Brookwood High School ($800) Deborah “Debbie” Olorunisola of Brookwood High School ($800) 2021 Jim Maran Scholarship for STEM Studies ($1,000) Sponsored by the Foundation—Established in 2013 and named 2021 Rev. In Soo Jung Scholarship ($1,000) in honor of the longtime Gwinnett Chamber president, this award Sponsored by the Jung Family—This scholarship is for a GCPS is for a senior who plans to pursue studies in science, technology, senior, with priority given to Asian Christian males, who has plans engineering, or mathematics. to enroll full-time in an undergraduate course of study. Abigail “Abby” Rachel Boone of North Gwinnett High School Cory Hahneul Shin of Mill Creek High School

2021 Janice Lawson Aspiring Teacher Scholarship ($1,000) School-specific awards Sponsored by the Foundation—This scholarship is awarded to The GCPS Foundation Fund administers many school-specific GCPS seniors pursuing a teaching career. awards with support from community partners. The awards Ellie Marie McIntyre of Mill Creek High School may commemorate a current or former administrator, teacher, Jenna Corin Reichert of Gwinnett Online Campus or student. In addition to school-specific eligibility, many of the awards support students with specific educational goals or 2021 GCPS Multicultural Scholarship ($1,000) students who are the first in their family to go to college. Here Co-sponsored by the Gwinnett Multicultural Advisory are just a few examples: Committee and the Foundation—This scholarship is awarded to one or more seniors of Hispanic, African American, Asian/ 2021 GIVE Center Scholarship ($500) Pacific Islander, or other minority origin, who has demonstrated a Sami Aftab Alam of Brookwood High School commitment to community service. Andrew Victor Prunescu of GIVE Center West Paola Cristina Mora Galazzo of Mountain View High School 2021 GIVE Center West “I Dare You” Scholarship ($500) Roland Bishop Mack of GIVE Center West 2021 Community-Based Mentoring Program Scholarship ($1,000) 2021 Robert L. Campbell Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Sponsored by the Foundation—This scholarship is awarded to Hkawng Tse of Phoenix High School participants in the program who have distinguished themselves 2021 Kerensa Wing Principles of Service Scholarship ($1,000) academically and as examples for others. Nathan Y. Eyasu of Collins Hill High School Jordan Elliott Grandison of Shiloh High School Jamal Alexander Haynes of Grayson High School 2021 Brothers Making Moves LLC Scholarship ($1,000) Jeremi Cordell Holmes of Grayson High School Esther Anjolaoluwa Gbadebo of Lanier High School Heather Michelle Hefner of Lanier High School Jordan RayShawn Morris of Parkview High School Page 15 15 oTher speCiAl hoNors 2021 GCPS Career and Technical Education Student of the Year District winners were selected from among local school Career and Technical Education Students of the Year for outstanding work in the classroom and leadership in technical education student organizations. The top three students will receive aJod y Reeves Career and Techni- cal Education Scholarship. Scholarships are funded through the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., with contributions from the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association, and individual donations to the Jody Reeves Scholarship. Mrs. Reeves served as the district’s executive director for Academies and Career and Technical Education before her retirement. CTE: The Class of 2021 Thousands of students take Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses during high school, giving them exposure to the work world and preparing them for college and careers. • A total of 3,915 seniors completed a Career Pathway, a concentration of three to four designated technical and/or academic courses that offer a seamless path to postsecondary work in college or technical school in a career field. Many students also pursue industry- specific certificates, credentials, or endorsements GCPS CTE Student 1st runner-up 2nd runner-up related to a Pathway. of the Year Yudy Reyes of Kobe Achu of • More than 300 seniors participated in Junior Reserve Pari Jain of Berkmar High School North Gwinnett High Officer Training Corps (JROTC) units at 14 GCPS Peachtree Ridge High ($1,000) School ($750) locations. Some students will continue their ROTC School ($1,500 ) commitment in college, with 23 cadets earning ROTC college scholarships. Another 40 JROTC seniors plan to enlist for active-duty service after graduation, with another 19 enlisting in reserve forces.

2021 Gwinnett Student Leadership Team Seniors The Gwinnett Student Leadership Team, Inc., (GSLT) is a two-year student leadership program that provides opportunities for high school -ju niors and seniors in Gwinnett County Public Schools to develop personal and organizational leadership skills and an awareness of community issues. GSLT develops a cadre of student leaders who facilitate leadership development among peers in their own schools and leave a legacy of leadership that promotes student involvement and overall excellence. The program is a cooperative effort sponsored by Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce in partnership with other community agencies, institutions, and business leaders.

Archer High School Discovery High School Lanier High School Parkview High School Jake Craven Vonai Barchue Kashanti Jones Annie Bly Alexa Francis Mohammed Fahim Ford Reasons Ellie Smith Raymond Vinh Tran Hannah Yi Velda Wang Berkmar High School Jennifer Tran Duluth High School Meadowcreek High School Paul Duke High School Nicole D. Villamil Saniah Foster Amy Garcia-Torres Lauren Antonowich Yasha Joseph Hugo Mejia-Gutierrez Jasmine Z. Hsu Brookwood High School Mathew Sigunga Matthew Kwon Sophia Piñeros Philmon Gashaw Caden Martin Grayson High School Mill Creek High School Peachtree Ridge Emma Rhodes Ashleigh Henning Katherine Gelderman High School Henry Hunter Madison Neither Shivani Desai Central Gwinnett High School Nkosi Nesmith-Nelson Blake Suiter Michaela Sawyer Jackson Berger Gwinnett Online Campus Kyle Zuluaga Trish Do Ethan Caldwell Mountain View High School Thomas Le Yoo Jin Chung Phoenix High School David Gallagher Timothy Winking Caitlyn Munson Kevin Waku Collins Hill High School Hairmon Woldetsadik Shiloh High School Christa Campbell Gwinnett School of Nathan Eyasu Mathematics, Science, Norcross High School Victoria McDonald Tiffany Andreina Fernández and Technology Arden Scourtis Kennedy Odiboh Bonilla Nyny Hoang Savannah Shaw Andy Peralta Avyesh Kapadia Dacula High School Rachel Park North Gwinnett High School South Gwinnett Alex Crabb Riley Brownfield High School Michaela English Banks Lacey Cole Brown Shivani Virani Kennedy Mykal Turner Jocelyn Joseph Leah Yadessa Page16 16 oTher speCiAl hoNors

2021 STAR Students Each STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) student is the senior in the top 10% of his or her class with the highest SAT score. As part of the recognition, each STAR student selects a teacher as an educator who had a strong influence on his or her academic career.C indy Huynh of Brookwood High School is the GCPS STAR Student for 2021.

Morgan Bell of Archer High School David Gallagher of Gwinnett County Joshua Mao of Norcross High School Online Campus Matthew Kededa of Berkmar High Sarah Park of North Gwinnett High School Donghao “Jason” Jiang of Gwinnett School School of Mathematics, Science, and Cindy Huynh of Brookwood High Technology Heyi “Alina” Zhang ofP arkview High School+ School Samuel Lee of Lanier High School* Anahi “Camila” Canales Dominguez of Jasmine Hsu of Paul Duke STEM High Central Gwinnett High School Veronica Roberson of Lanier High School School* Wells Bussey of Collins Hill High Brian Ji of Peachtree Ridge High School School Bailey Duarte of McClure Health Science High School Kennedy Odiboh of Shiloh High School Caitlyn Coker of Dacula High School Michael Chun of Meadowcreek High Rylee Dunlap of South Gwinnett High Saeeda Osei Frimpong of Discovery School School High School Zachary “Zach” Bryce Shapiro of Mill Ria Iyengar of Duluth High School Creek High School + GCPS STAR Student for 2021 Daniel Obafemi of Grayson High School Sydney Scott of Mountain View High School *Students tied for the honor at their school.

2021 Outstanding Senior Athletes The Outstanding Senior Athlete Award is presented to a male and female student at each high school who has shown excellence in athle-t ics, academics, and leadership roles in the school and community service. These students are not necessarily the best athletes in their senior Parkview High School class, but have shown to be outstanding in a variety of areas. The director of athletics at each high school works with the coaching staff to Annie Bly select the students who will represent their school. Ellie Smith Velda Wang High School Male Athlete Female Athlete High School Male Athlete Female Athlete Paul Duke High School Archer Ethan Bowen Alexa Francis Mill Creek Tim Simay Ellie McIntyre Lauren Antonowich Bailey Francis Mountain View Kenny Mallory Sarah Currie Jasmine Z. Hsu Berkmar Dara Olonade Ariel Enniss Sophia Piñeros Norcross Miguel Schlicht Faith Lawrence Brookwood Will Bray Reagan Sweeney Peachtree Ridge North Gwinnett Barrett Carter Grace Connelly High School Central Gwinnett Mekhi Mews Devon Kennedy Parkview Cody Brown Abby McCulloh Shivani Desai Collins Hill Clint Gilbert Emily Whitehead Michaela Sawyer Peachtree Ridge Nick Best Nia Hicks Kyle Zuluaga Dacula Adam Watkins Michaela English Shiloh Jamahl Neal Sydney Ford Phoenix High School Discovery Jibran Hawkins Abby Wenham South Gwinnett Ethan Miller Carolyn Watkins Timothy Winking Duluth Mathew Sigunga Isabella Evangelista Gwinnett HEAT* Shiloh High School Grayson Garrett Brophy Kylie Macy Mary Garcia-Brake (Brookwood) Victoria McDonald Kennedy Odiboh Lanier Ford Reasons Presley Miller Seth Early (Mill Creek) Andy Peralta Meadowcreek Joseph Ohanu Zainy Elaigwu Will Millikan (Archer) South Gwinnett * Gwinnett HEAT is Gwinnett County’s Adapted Sports High School Program, which fields teams in several sports. Cole Brown All participants must compete in a wheelchair. Jocelyn Joseph Leah Yadessa Page17 17 “Exponential Decay” from North Gwinnett HS senior Richenelle Isip.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!