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Meet the 2021 Scholars

Amanda Coleman

Amanda graduated from Middle College High School with a GPA of 3.94<br /> She participated in a range of extracurricular activities including the Biology Club, Debate Club, Black Student Union, Future Leaders in Medicine (Vice President), and Leadership (Chair of Activities Committee). Her community service involvement was Tree Planting, Community/School Garden, and the Shoreline Clean-up. She was a Black Student of Honor. Amanda plans to attend UC Irvine and Major in Biological Sciences. She plans to become a general surgeon or a plastic surgeon.<br />

Caden Cotton-Blake

Caden attended Middle College High School, graduating with a 3.1 GPA.<br /> He was very active in extracurricular activities including Varsity Golf, Junior Varsity/Varsity Basketball, School Site Council Chair, Junior Class President, Leadership Fundraising Chair, and Youth & Government Student Delegate. His many Community Service activities included: Sojourner Truth Church Social Media Coordinator, WCCUSD School Board Student Trustee, Church Peace Camp Counselor, Church Food Pantry, and the NAACP Youth Council. Caden received several honors: District Think Tank—1st Place, Dream Award, MLK Day, Omega Psi Phi STEM Project Award, and Contra Costa Speech & Debate Tournament—1st Place. He will attend San Jose State University in the Fall and Major in Economics. He then plans to attend law school and have his own law practice. Running for local, state or national political office may be in his future.<br />

Jayden Cummings

Jayden attended Emery High earning a GPA of 3.35.<br /> His extracurricular activities included: The Hidden Genius Project, Boys Varsity Basketball, BSU (Treasurer), Emery School Board Student Rep., Youth Impact Hub Fellowship, and NEARS UC Berkeley.<br /> His community service was in Energy Convertors/Published writer & speaker, NAACP BAE Youth Council, and the Next Generation Podcast Host. He received honors as 2020 Congressional Challenge Winner and the Honor Roll for 3 years. Jayden plans to attend San Francisco State University and Major in Business. He plans to become an entrepreneur in the tech field. He will also develop apps and software that supports social justice and racial equity for youth and young adults.</p> <p>

Dylan Frith

Dylan graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School attaining a GPA of 3.48.<br /> He was involved in many extracurricular activities: Track (Varsity Captain), Basketball (JV Captain), Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, Investment Club, and the Black Student Union.<br /> He participated in various community service programs: OUSD “Building Healthy Habits” Video, Canticle Farms Volunteer, Doctors on Board, Assistant, Alameda County Food Bank, Cub Scout Camp, Asst. Program Coordinator, and Sunrise of Oakland Hills, Volunteer.<br /> His honors were: CSF, Life Member, First Honor Roll, Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow, and the NCS-CIF Distinguished Scholastic Team. Dylan will attend the University of Miami with a Major in Marketing. He plans to develop personal business and marketing skills to help make a positive impact in the world.<br />

Cobey Garrett

Cobey attended De La Salle High School graduating with a GPA of 3.39.<br /> His extracurricular activities included: Track and Field, Freshman JV Football, Chess Club, Black Student Union, National Honors Art Society, and Jack and Jill Contra Costa (Sargant-at-Arms).<br /> His community service involved: St. Anthony’s, SF, East Oakland Collective, Contra Costa Food Bank, and Shelter, Inc. He received several honors: CIF Scholar Athlete, Academic Achievement Award—Multi Media Design, and the school Honor Roll. Harrison will attend Penn State University with a Major in Chemical Engineering. His career plans include work as a chemical engineer using science to make the world better.<br />

Henry Palmer

Henry graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School with a GPA of 3.54.<br /> He participated in many extracurricular activities: Varsity Basketball, Team Arsenal AAU Basketball, Black Student Union, Running My Photography Business, Google Code Next, and as aYouth Basketball Coach. His community service included: Piedmont Gardens Elderly Care Center Volunteer, St. Leo’s After-school Supervisor, St. Anthony’s Homeless Soup Kitchen Volunteer, and as a Summer Academy Coach. His honors included NCS Scholar Athlete, and the Honor Roll 3 years.<br /> Henry plans to attend San Diego State University and Major in Business. He plans to obtain a MBA and become owner of photography business to employ others.<br />

Jordan Robinson

Jordan graduated from Mt. Eden High School with a GPA of 3.55.<br /> His extracurricular activities included: High School Choir, Social Media Influencer, School Site Council member, Music Composer Choir, and the Entrepreneurship Club. He was involved in several community service programs: EMBODI-Delta Sigma Theta, ABODE Volunteer, MLK Day of Service, and the Hayward City Cleaning Project. His honors received were: Academic Achievement, Entrepreneurship ROP Student of the Month, & Student of the Year, and the AASII Performing Arts Student Award. Jordan plans to attend Grand Canyon University and Major in Business Administration. He wants to become a business analyst while writing music on the side.

Kaelin Therman

Kaelin graduated from Skyline High School with a GPA of 3.0.<br /> He participated in extracurricular activities such as JV Basketball Team (Captain) and the Varsity Basketball Team (Captain). His community service was with the Oakland PAL for 2 years.<br /> He was honored with the Scholastic Award 3 years and the African American Honors Award.<br /> Kaelin will attend Clark Atlanta University and Major in Pre-Nursing. He plans to become a registered Nurse.<br />

Jordyn Young

Jordyn attended Carondelet High School and graduated with a GPA of 3.50.<br /> She participated in a range of extracurricular activities including: Varsity Soccer (Team Captain), Elite Team Captain, Top Drawer Soccer, Ranked Top 150 IMG Players nationally, and the Gothis Cup Delegation Member. Her community service involvement included: Juvenile Hall Auxiliary/Hall Closet Thrift Store, Clothing Intake Volunteer, Contra Costa Food Bank Volunteer, Bay Area Crisis Nursery, and Shelter, Inc. Volunteer. Her many honors included: CSF, Honor Roll, Jefferson Award for Service, Lexus Volunteer Award, NCS Sophomore and Junior of the Year, EBAL All-League, and First Team All-NCS<br /> Jordyn will attend UC Berkeley, and Major in Architecture and Design. She plans on becoming a licensed architect and wants to give Black women a larger voice in this industry.

Janelle Cole

Janelle attended High School at Moreau Catholic and graduated with a 3.0 GPA. She was involved in several extracurricular activities including Varsity Volleyball, Junior Varsity Volleyball, Lakas Club Volleyball (Captain), UC Elite Club Volleyball, and the Girl Scouts. She volunteered in a number of community service programs including: Hygiene Kits for Homeless, Kids Program at Elizabeth House, Served Food at St. Anthony’s, and Community Garden Work. She received several Honors: Girl Scout Silver & Gold Awards, Honor Roll, MVP—Lakas Volleyball, and Outstanding Achievement in Mandarin. Janelle will attend college at the University of Nevada, Reno, Major in Nursing. Her plans are to become a travel nurse.

Lauryn Craig

Lauryn attended Hercules High School, graduating with a superb GPA of 4.1 She participated in a range of extracurricular activities: ASB Leadership, Class President, MESA Team Leader, BSU Member, Softball, JV/Varsity (Captain), Cross Country Team, and EAOP Student Ambassador. Her Community Service included the Key Club and Feeding Homeless in Leadership Class. She was highly honored as: Principal’s Honor Roll, WCCUSD African American Academic Achievement, African American Honor Roll, AP Scholars Award, and Cross Country 4.0 Award. Lauryn will attend Howard University and Major in Health Sciences. She plans to attend medical school and become a pediatrician.

Malik Davis

Malik attended Skyline High School with a GPA of 3.0.<br /> His extracurricular activities were JV Basketball & Baseball Teams (Captain), Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Baseball (Captain). His community service was in the Oakland Police Activity League and Oakland Babe Ruth. His honors were Scholastic Honor Roll (3 years) and African American Honor Roll (3 years).<br /> Malik plans to attend Clark Atlanta University and Major in Sports Medicine. He plans to become a sports medicine/physical therapist for an NBA or NCAA basketball team.<br />

Harrison Frith

Harrison attended Bishop O’Dowd High School with an outstanding GPA of 4.02.<br /> He was involved in a variety of extracurricular activities: Water Polo (Varsity Team Captain), Water Polo, USAWP CCU Team, Varsity Swimming, Boys Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, and the American Red Cross Lifeguard. His community service included: Wholly H2O—Build Bird Boxes, Canticle Farms Volunteer, Cub Camp Counselor, Doctors on Board, Assistant, Alameda County Food Bank, and the Sunrise of Oakland Hills Volunteer. His honors included: National Honor Society, Life member, USA Water Polo All-American, CSF Life Member, Water Polo Coaches Award, and the NCS-CIF President’s List.<br /> He plans to attend UC Berkeley, Major in Environmental Economics and Policy. He plans to explore ways to support marine life struggling from human-related impacts.<br />

Jazlynn Gibbs

Jazlynn graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School attaining a GPA of 3.83.<br /> She was involved in many extracurricular activities: Oakland PAL Track & Field, Youth Leadership Council, Varsity Track (Co-Captain), BSU Student Moderator, Executive Council, and a Dragon Ambassador. Her community service included: HEART Tutoring Program (Founder/Director), Oakland PAL Volunteer, Joshua Christian Church Feeding Ministry & Nursery Ministry, and the Sunrise Assisted Living Of Oakland Hills, Volunteer. Her honors were: Mathematics Award, Science Award, World Language Award, and MVP-Track and Field. Jazlynn will attend San Diego State University and Major in Elementary Education. She plans to become an educator with hopes of closing the disproportionate gaps of African American teachers in the public school system.<br />

Liana Parrish

Liana attended Bishop O’Dowd High School and graduated with a GPA of 3.6.<br /> She participated in many extracurricular activities including: Volleyball Team (Captain), BSU (Vice-President), Club Rising Above, Sisters of Success Club, School Site Council, Quilt Design Team, Glossy Galz Boutique, Encore Volleyball Club, San Leandro Youth Advisory Commissioner, and the Destiny Christian Fellowship Church Youth Group.<br /> She was involved in many community service programs including: Elevation Baptist Church Seniors Handmade Cards, Francophone French School Volunteer, Davis Street Community Center Daycare Volunteer, and the Carlton Senior Living Center, Volunteer.<br /> She attained man honors: Honor Roll, BSU Award of Excellence, NCS-CIF Scholastic Athletic Award, President’s Education Award, African American Student Achievement & Excellence Award, and CSF Member. Liana will attend San Diego State University and Major in Psychology. After obtaining MA she plans to start a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing free mental health resources and education for Black youth.<br />

Sariyah Shabazz

Sariyah graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School with a GPA of 3.64.<br /> While in school she participated in extracurricular activities including: Cross Country and Track Team, BSU Executive Council, Sisters of Success, Entrepreneurship Club. Her community service included: Reading Partners tutor, Dream Corps intern, Quail Garden senior living volunteer, and the We Lead Our media as an intern. She was on the Honor Roll 4 years and in the National Honor Society of HS Scholars.<br /> Sariyah plans to attend Santa Clara University and Major in Business management. She will then continue to become a full-time entrepreneur running multiple companies or work at a tech company like Google as a project manager.

Darien West

Darien graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School with a superb 4.03 GPA.<br /> His extracurricular activities included: Hayward Youth Commission, Eco Leader, Symphonic Band, Stanford SMASH Scholar, Track and Field, and Basketball. He was involved in several community service included: Peer Tutor, Hayward Public Library Tutor, Oakland Boys and Girls Club Tutor, Lake Merritt Cleanup, and the Ewaste Drive, Volunteer. He won many honors: National Honor Society, CSF, Academic First Honors, Achievement Award in Mandarin, Best Event, and an Earth Week Video with Oakland Zoo. Darien will attend Howard University and Major in Business. He plans to become an environmental real estate owner to create environmentally friendly and affordable housing in the SF Bay Area.

SIGMA IOTA THANKS YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE ACADEMIC PURSUITS OF SUCH PHENOMENAL YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN