The African American Youth Achievement Awards (AAYAA) committee announces that the 2021 Awards Ceremony will be held virtually this year. Historically, the AAYAA ceremony is held during Black History Month to celebrate the progress, richness and diversity of African American achievements. However, due to the pandemic the event will be held virtually at 7 p.m. on March 18 via the ETHS YouTube channel.
AAYAA pays tribute to African American youth who on a daily basis are keeping the visions and legacy of African American pathfinders and pioneers alive. The AAYAA committee sought nominations from each District 65 School and District 202. Two individuals (one who identifies as male or gender non-conforming and one who identifies as female or gender non-conforming) will be honored from each District 65 school and each District 202 grade level. Through initiative and perseverance each awardee has excelled in character, civility, community service, leadership, scholarship, or sportsmanship. The 2021
The honorees and their schools are listed below:
Chute Middle School: Titilayo Ewulo and Pallage Jayatilake
Dawes Elementary School: Deandre Beckford and Amirat Oladimeji
Dewey Elementary School: Shayla Hunt and Jordell Muganwa
Evanston Township High School: China Archie, Lena Augusta, Naiyah Bryant, Javade Jones, Aliyah Leach, Jemari Moore, Bennie Ruffin, and Douglas Woods
Haven Middle School: Destiny Amponsah and Mallik McCaulley
King Arts: Yoel Bahta and Adanna Chira
Kingsley School: Ella Copeland and Caleb Lemond
Lincoln Elementary School: London Bell and Ryleigh Simmons
Lincolnwood Elementary School: Jameela Ajasa and Jaylin “JJ” McCray
Nichols Middle School: Isiah Lett-Stephenson and Nyel Rollins
Oakton Elementary School: Yohanni Johnson and Inala Perlow-Myles
Orrington Elementary School: Immaculee Millner and Dushawn Thomas
Bessie Rhodes: Amari Gray and Amari Robinson
Walker Elementary School: Miles Henry and Kya Wilkins
Washington Elementary School: Andrea Gaul and Jarrell Todd
Willard Elementary School: Kaliyah Hutchinson and Ethan Matthews
This year is the 24th year that local students will be honored with the African American Youth Achievement Awards. The accomplishments of these outstanding students are a credit to their parents, family, school and community at-large.
The 24th Annual AAYAA ceremony is sponsored by Ivy Pearl Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Byline Bank, Northwestern University, Shorefront, Family Focus, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., NAACP, District 65, District 202, Gerri Sizemore, SOUL Creations, McGaw YMCA, Joe “Butch” Martin Foundation and Chessmen.