The annual event will take place on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Church, located at 16479 Lucas Ferry Rd., Athens, AL 35611. Keynote Speaker: LC Smith, founder of R. Fathers Mad, will deliver the keynote address, sharing valuable insights and stories that will resonate with the theme of this year’s event, “Finding Your WHY, Fueling Your Success!”
Event Highlights:
- Master of Ceremonies: Kenny Anderson
- Musical Selection: Jaya Gibbons
- Pear Talk Presentation: Tailan Hall
- Special Appearance: Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks
The celebration will recognize outstanding high school seniors and extraordinary community leaders who exemplify resilience, perseverance, and selfless service. The casual attire event, presented by MTM Educational Enrichment, will be free and open to the public.
“‘I had made God all of these promises when I was a kid: that if He allowed me to graduate from high school, get a college degree, and get a good job, I would go back to the community and give back to the kids like myself,”
Jannifer Matthews, founder of MTM Educational Enrichment, said. “‘When I was younger, my dad fell off one of the cooling towers he was working on at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, and that caused him not to be able to work. My mother then stopped working to take care of him, dwindling whatever savings they had. So, in high school, I started working a part-time job to support my family. I wasn’t able to graduate from high school with my peers at the time, but I was able to get a stipend that paid for all of my educational endeavors. That is ultimately what birthed the MTM Unsung Heroes Scholarship Fund.’”
- MTM Unsung Hero Scholarships:
- Awarded to graduating seniors from the City of Athens and Limestone County who have demonstrated courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
- Each recipient has submitted a personal essay detailing obstacles they have had to overcome and how they remained steadfast in their pursuit of education and personal growth.
These seven remarkable students represent hope, determination, and the spirit of triumph:
- Jamie Kinyari from Athens High School
- Amandaoe Jobe from Athens High School
- Creslen Hodes from Tanner High School
- Miley Muston from Tanner High School
- Irvin Diza Gonzales from Tanner High School
- Ruby Feri-Zurita from Tanner High School
- Marley Lewter from Tanner High School
- MTM Cup Scholarship:
- Awarded to students who fall outside of the parameters of the MTM Unsung Hero Scholarship.
- These four extraordinary students have reflected the mission of MTM Educational Enrichment in their commitment to personal growth:
- Julianne Kyle from West Limestone High School
- Jake Guthrie from Elkmont High School
- Marley Lewter from Tanner High School
- Logan Rilling from Tanner High School
In addition to the student scholarships, the Community Heroes Awards will recognize local citizens who are making significant, lasting impacts through service and leadership – often without seeking any recognition or fanfare. These unsung heroes have quietly done amazing things to strengthen the Athens and Limestone County communities, embodying the true spirit of servant leadership. RSVP Information:
To attend the event, please RSVP by Saturday, May 3, by calling (256) 874-2941 or emailing jannifermatthews@bellsouth.net with the number of attendees. For more information about MTM Educational Enrichment or to support the Unsung Hero Scholarship Fund, visit https://www.mtmee.org.
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