SCHOLARSHIP
Congratulations to the 2021 JACA Scholarship Recipients

Ava Lee​
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Ava Lee is a graduating senior from Cox Mill High School. Ava entered high school four years ago with zest and fervor that was unparalleled to none according to her high school counselor. She was focused and immediately set in motion the trajectory of the path she was destined to tread. There is a merge of Ava’s altruism with her Christian beliefs as she has founded and continues to lead the Fellowship of Christian athlete club and Freedom House Church as a bible study teacher to name a few. Ava’s greatest wish is to give back to her community. She has already commenced in her math classroom as her teacher proclaims that she readily offers assistance to her peers. This is just a microcosm of how she intends to have an impact. The long-term goal is to attend to the mental health issues of the black community. Ava is aware of the stigma and reticence of the black community on mental health. Her belief is that they will be more comfortable with one of their own people, who can relate to them. This is a driving force in Ava deciding on a major in psychology at UNC-Charlotte in the fall that will eventually lead to a career in medicine as a licensed psychiatrist. We wish Ava the best and know that glass ceilings can’t contain her because with her optimism, stellar academic performance (over 4.0 GPA), and pleasant personality, she’s already begun to mystify a lot of stereotypes.

D'onna Webster​
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D’Onna Webster currently attends Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology where she maintains an impressive 4.3 GPA and is ranked in the top 4% of her class. She has earned memberships in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. D’Onna devotes significant service as a leader and mentor to elementary and middle school-aged children in the Urban Promise program. Her supervisor describes her as a kind, compassionate and thoughtful person who exhibits a kind of grace and inner strength that inspires everyone she meets. D’Onna also tutors Mathematics and boasts involvement in the IT Academy, Key Club, HOSA Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and Brown Girls Big Things. She has also published the book, Is It Possible To Be A Teenager and A Christian? which provides tools and opportunities for teens to be able to establish and maintain a relationship with God. D’Onna aspires to be a pediatric therapist and plans to attend Howard University in the Fall.

Zarah Ayanna Rahman Blythe
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Zarah Rahman Blythe currently attends Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. She learned from a young age the motto of “What I want to be to someone else”. Her mother epitomized the notion of giving back selflessly to the church and others who are in need. Zarah’s passion for helping others has led her to consider two fields of study, music or pediatrics. She has spent countless hours practicing the flute, implementing and mentoring Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic, volunteering as a teacher assistant at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and yet, excelling academically (over 4.0 GPA). Her AP Psychology teacher has opined that Zarah is one of the most unique students that he has ever met. He states that she is a natural leader when assigned in groups and takes every course seriously. Zarah would like to use her platform to improve the plight of the black community in whichever profession that she chooses. The current racial climate has promulgated Zarah into having this at the forefront of her decision-making. In music, she would bring awareness to the black composers and performers who are oftentimes overlooked and don’t receive enough accolades befitting their talents. In pediatrics, she would like to have patients of color feel comfortable with one of their own. Zarah Rahman Blythe will make the world a better place with her infectious smile and selflessness, whether as a flutist or pediatrician. She will begin this journey in the fall at UNC-School of Arts-Music and we wish her well in getting to her destination.

GLORIA BROWN RECIPIENT Jmari Robinson​
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Jmari Robinson is of Jamaican descent and currently attends Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. He has maintained a GPA over 3.7 within a challenging academic curriculum. His AP Psychology teacher indicates that Jmari excelled by showing insight, a committed work ethic, and a self-driving vigor that few bring to the classroom. Another teacher describes him as a talented, intelligent student with charisma, confidence, strong values, and respect for others to make a huge difference in the world around him. While managing academics, he has held leadership positions in the Student Council as Senior Class President and 1st Violin Player in the Honors Orchestra. Other extracurricular activities include membership in the National Honor Society, Track & Field, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club while working part-time in retail as a Sales Associate and Style Advisor. Jmari plans to attend Georgia State University to pursue a career in Nursing and fulfill his passion.
Bronze Receipents
Michael Steele
NC School of Science and Mathematics
University of Southern California
Divine Mobote
West Charlotte High School
North Carolina A&T State University
Amaia Parkins
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
Converse College
Amaris Iman Coleman
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
UNC Greensboro
Zori Elizabeth Jones
North Mecklenburg High School
UNC, Chapel Hill
Morgan Graves
Rocky River High School
Winston-Salem State University
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Tajay Brown
Concord High School
Clemson University
Toni Teah
Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
Howard University
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Lillian Sirju
Mallard Creek High School
UNC, Charlotte
Emmanuella Assem
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
East Carolina University
Special Recognition
Janaya Street
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
East Carolina University
Xavier Maxwell Brown
Harding University High School
NC A&T State University
Robert Heron
Cato Middle College High School
North Carolina A&T State University
Kenly Hemingway
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
NC Agricultural & Technical State University
Malik Ajani Adrian Thompson
Hickory Ridge High School
Virginia State University
Nia Joelle Randall
Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
Winston-Salem State University
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Ryan Michael Sanders
Rocky River High School
NC A&T State University
Jae'wan L McRae
North Mecklenburg High School
Mars Hill University
Christopher Carter Jr
West Charlotte High School
NC A&T State University
Jordan Williams
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
Winston-Salem State University
Zaccheus Knight
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology
NC Agricultural & Technical State University
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