African American Students Honored for Achievement and Leadership
Posted On May 06, 2026
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The Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators (MCABSE) honored 28 graduating seniors during its 15th annual Distinguished African American Scholar Awards on April 30 at Rockville High School. The keynote speaker was Michelle Elie, 2026 MCPS High School Teacher of the Year.
Distinguished Scholars are committed to leadership in their high schools and communities; are passionate and committed to their education and demonstrate a deliberate pursuit of academic excellence and show outstanding contributions to community service. See the photos.
The 2026 honorees are:
- Jacob Wexler, Albert Einstein
- Fatima Faal, Bethesda-Chevy Chase
- Biniyam Melku, Blair G Ewing Center-Alternative Programs
- Emmanuel Kayembe, Clarksburg
- Kobe Benton, Col. Zadok Magruder
- Kayla Cunningham, Damascus
- Sifan Kabeta, Gaithersburg
- Kidus Tesfaye, James Hubert Blake
- Ziaire Mays, John F. Kennedy
- Milan A. Wilson, Montgomery Blair
- Yaneal Dhossou, Northwest
- Rediet Denbu, Northwood
- Michael Fadaka Jr., Paint Branch
- Francis Mureithi, Poolesville
- Layla Goodluck, Quince Orchard
- Kennedy Hickson, RICA - John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents
- Serena Lendja, Richard Montgomery
- Leah McGibbon, Rockville
- Chancelle Bityeki, Seneca Valley
- Isaiah Bobo-Amang, Sherwood
- Sameeha Kassie, Springbrook
- Maraki Fekade, Thomas Edison HS of Technology
- Chase Mitchell, Thomas S. Wootton
- Simon Yohannes, Walt Whitman
- Solyana Kifle, Walter Johnson
- Brianna Cherry, Watkins Mill
- Rajan Bell, Wheaton
- Mololuwa Kuti, Winston Churchill