The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce that 10 of its students are among the area high school seniors who will be receiving scholarships this year — ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 — from the Athens Area Human Relations Council (AAHRC) to aid them in their quest to attend college. Each of these students were selected following an application process that included an essay, two recommendations, and a review of their transcripts by the scholarship committee. They will be recognized and honored Saturday, Jan. 13, during the AAHRC's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Banquet at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

• Jakiera Adkins of Cedar Shoals High School is the recipient of the $1,000 Helen Neal Joseph Memorial Scholarship. She has been a member of the Cedar Shoals marching band, Bee Club, Minority Excellence Club, and has attended the Athens Community Career Academy. She plans to attend Savannah State University and pursue a degree in social work.

• Alejandra Cerrón-Palomino of Cedar Shoals is the recipient of the $1,000 Marjorie Roberson Memorial Scholarship. Her activities and honors have included National Beta Club, Math Team, Hispanic Organization Promoting Education (HOPE), secretary Model United Nations, treasurer of the Genders and Sexualities Alliance, UGA Talent Search/TRIO, Art Club, AP Scholar, College Board National Recognition Program, Hispanic Recognition Program, 2023 Questbridge College Prep Scholar, Principal’s Honor Roll, Georgia Certificate of Merit, State Superintendent’s and CCSD Superintendent’s student advisory councils, U-Lead Athens, and Georgia Audobon Urban Ecologists program. She plans to major in environmental science with a minor in sociology.

• Addisyn Jade Huff of Clarke Central High School is the recipient of the $2,500 Rev. David H. Nunnally, Sr. Founder’s Scholarship. Her activities and honors have included Student Government Class President, Outstanding Attorney and Opponent for the district, region, and state mock trial competitions, cheerleading, swim, and flag football teams, Star Student-Athlete Award, Optimist Oratorical winner at the local, state, and regional levels, National Honor Society, historian for the Tri-M Music Honors Society chapter at Clarke Central, historian for the TTR Cobb Watson Brown Junior Board, Youth Leadership Athens, CCSD Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, Georgia Girls State, All A’s Award, Athens Junior NAACP, Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club, Athens Black History Bowl, Links Incorporated Bridge to Success, Delta GEMS Academy, Athens Peer Court, Clarke Scholars, and Community Service Club. She plans to pursue a pre-law degree with a goal of attending law school with a focus on family law and social justice.

• Rachel Josephine Huff of Cedar Shoals is the recipient of the $1,000 Roosevelt and Thelma Taylor Scholarship of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church. Her activities and honors have included co-captain of the varsity girls’ golf team, cross country, National Honors Society, National Beta Club, FFA (first place in Food Products and Processing Systems at the national FFA convention), Book Club, Girls Who Code, Georgia Certificate of Merit, Academic Achievement Award in mathematics, All A Honor Roll, bronze and silver awards for Girl Scouts, and Classic City Pilot Club. She plans to pursue a career in architecture.

• Askia Hylton of Clarke Central is the recipient of the $1,000 Anthony L. Harris Memorial Scholarship. His activities and honors have included Barnett Tae Kwando, Tae Kwando at the East Athens Community Center, biotechnology program student at the University of Georgia Summer Academy, Clarke Central cross country and wrestling teams, Empowered Youth Program, Chess and Community, Student Ambassador, Honor Roll, internship with the UGA Water Dawgs, Forestry and Natural Resources Discovery ag summer program, the World Food Prize Alabama Institute Student Scholar Award, and 10-hour OSHA Safety certification. He plans to attend college and study environmental sciences with a focus on climate change and forestry.

• Kelia Ariyah Johnson of Cedar Shoals is the recipient of the $1,000 Mirian J. Tiller Scholarship. Her activities and honors have included captain of the cheerleading team, treasurer of the Bee Club, National Honors Society, Minority Excellence Club, Student Government Association secretary, Honor Roll, Peer Leadership Program, and involvement with Thankful Baptist Church. She plans to pursue a degree in biology/bio-medicine.

• Yasmin Lovett of Cedar Shoals is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Athens Housing Authority. She has been involved with the local Black Lives Matter movement and plans to pursue a four-year degree in nursing.

• Tavarus Latroy Smith of Clarke Central is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Charles and Ruby Worthy. His activities and honors have included Drama Club, Mock Trial, Pep Band, Poetry Showcase, Honor Roll, and Athens Land Trust Young Conservation Steward. He plans to pursue a career in law.

• Nayla Villafana of Cedar Shoals is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the 100 Percenters. Her activities and honors have included Cedar Shoals JROTC Raider teams, Honor Guard and Color Guard (several accolades), Bee Club, Healthy Relationship Ambassador, DECA, Cedar Mentors, Chicken Wing Theatre, Blue Magic Dance, National Honor Society, and DAR Youth Citizenship Award. She plans to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserves, attend either the University of North Georgia or Georgia Southern University, and study radiology.

• Xavier J. Wymbs of Cedar Shoals is the recipient of the $1,000 Coy C. Williamson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. His activities and honors have included Student Government Association, Cedar Shoals track and field and football teams, Student Advisory Board, Cedar Shoals Golf Club, National Honor Society, Innovate U, Honor Roll, Athens Community Career Academy, Athens Technical College Academic Honor Roll, Minority Excellence Club committee chair, and Senior Advisory Board committee leader. He plans to attend college and major in psychology with a minor in advertising and marketing.