More Than 115 MMSD Students to Be Honored at Annual MLK Youth Recognition Breakfast

MADISON, Wis.—One hundred eighteen Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) students will be recognized for their academic achievements, leadership and service during the 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Recognition Breakfast, hosted by the Urban League of Greater Madison.

The event will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, at Edgewood High School and will honor nearly 300 middle and high school students from 42 Dane County schools with Outstanding Young Person Awards. MMSD’s honorees include 72 middle school students and 46 high school students.

Award recipients are nominated by their schools based on a combination of strong academic performance, leadership and meaningful contributions to their schools and communities. Notably, two Robert M. La Follette High School seniors will be among the scholarship recipients: Kira Smith will be awarded a Betty Franklin-Hammonds Scholarship, and Rebecca Oruruo will receive a George Anglin Memorial Scholarship. The event will also recognize the newest cohort of MMSD Mann Scholars.

“Our students continue to embody Dr. King’s vision through their dedication to excellence, community engagement and personal integrity,,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “Their recognition at this event is not only a celebration of their accomplishments, but also a reminder of the responsibility and opportunity they have to shape a more just and inclusive future.”

Now in its 42nd year, the MLK Youth Recognition Breakfast is one of the longest-running youth recognition events in the region. Nearly 1,000 students, family members, educators and community members are expected to attend.

“This recognition reflects the strength of our students and the educators and families who support them every day,” Gothard said. “We are proud to stand alongside the Urban League of Greater Madison in uplifting young people who lead with purpose and serve their communities.”

MMSD full list of Outstanding Young Person Award recipients is as follows:

Badger Rock Middle School: Itiel Gonzalez Espinoza, Adam Ocotl Perez, Ejaaz Ra-El, Liam Sandoval, Kylie Schmitt, Rudy Wilson
Black Hawk Middle School: Ashaad Anderson, Gary Howard III, Sema-J Ivy-Gore, Matthew King, Monaire Lemon, Akilah Williams
Capital High School: Airam Aleman-Hernandez, Larissa Dobbins, Knox Fettig, Tasha Noel, Avayah Turner
Cherokee Heights Middle School: Kaddijatou Bah, Tamia English, Phoenixx Jenkins McMurray. Elijah Kennedy Jr., Zyaire Mickelson, Qamille Taylor
East High School: Kadiatou Diabate, Wilma Hobenu, Ibrahim Danioko, Ramatulah Njie, Zahra Njie, Khadi Sylla, Titus Vang, Isaiah Vielmas, Daree Xiong
Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School: Enijsia Johnson, Elias-Hanyire Kahite, Liliana Quevedo, Ayanna Smith, Ni’Esha Smith-Whitmore, Jhiana Wisdom
Velma Hamilton Middle School: Kassandra Ayetey, Isaiah Bonk, Otto Borman, Khalil Jackson, Corielle McClinton, Cadence Yelder
Robert M. La Follette High School: Zacaria Conklin, Ameillia Grace Cook, Janet Flores Benites, James Harris III, Miesha Henley, E’Yonna Jones, Lillyanne Medenwaldt, Rebecca Oruruo, Miyah Perkins, Kira Smith
Vel Phillips Memorial High School: Awah Ambahe, Aliyaha Cofer, Kennedi Harden, William Harden, Lavonte Johnson Jr., Talayaja Johnson, Alric Koffison, Heaven McCann, Ronald Smith, London Tafor, Destiny Wallace, Kelvin Washington
Georgia O’Keeffe Middle School: Imari Dorrough, Marshawn Fizer, Ky’Aire Larrue, John Mack Jr., Nyomee Triggs, Aubrey Turnier
Ray F. Sennett Middle School: Cecilia Bull, Paisley Cook, Stoni Hawkins, Iliyan Hoskins, Aiden Martin, Nia Nguyuza
Sherman Middle School: Reinella Foueppe, Aryanna Freeman, Ari’Yahna Handy, Torrance (TJ) Holmes Jr., Alaya McClain-McMillen, Tyjanic Walker
Spring Harbor Middle School: Vivian Bartlett, Jesus Chacin, Elias Ketchum, Sanjay Remesh, Kazuki Sone, Gopika Vijayaraghavan
Akira R. Toki Middle School: Destiny Daniel, Lylah Ferris, Fatoumatta Jaiteh, Michael Meier, Aaliyah Mitchell, Ciara Pettaway
West High School: Randa Amer, Keymontae Brown, Gelen Castellanos Galvis, Sangrielle Harris, Jayla Jones, David Okpara, Adrian Ramirez Cornejo, Melchi Tepepa-Pasaribu, Hezekiah Ward, Ashley Zongo
Annie Greencrow Whitehorse Middle School: Boubacar Diallo, Michael Hongmanivanh, Ne’Ayla Huffman, Parys Martin, Iyanna Ross, Zenay Ross
James C. Wright Middle School: Jayce Gray, Jah’Kie Hodges, Kevin Jones Jr., Dmya Long, Peter Mensah, Zeniya Smith

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.