African American Students Honored for Achievement, Leadership

The Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators (MCABSE) honored 26 graduating seniors during its annual Distinguished African American Scholar Awards on April 24.

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.

The 2025 honorees are:

• Mahlet Ayele, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
• Nathan Debessay, Blair Ewing Center at Plum Orchard
• Malaika Wande, Montgomery Blair High School
• Carissa Montier, James Hubert Blake High School
• Laila Bityeki, Clarksburg High School
• Elana Brooks, Damascus High School
• Nadia Olaitan, Thomas Edison High School of Technology
• Aniyah Alexander, Albert Einstein High School
• Dienabou Bah, Gaithersburg High School
• Candice Nsoga-Mahob, Walter Johnson High School
• Laney Gill, Col. Zadok Magruder High School
• Audrey Oppong, Richard Montgomery High School
• Naima Wray, Northwest High School
• Candia Melvin , Northwood High School
• Yvanna Sindjui, Paint Branch High School
• Sienna Simms, Poolesville High School
• Firdos Ahmed, Quince Orchard High School
• Herman Kitala, Rockville High School
• Mariama Balde, Seneca Valley High School
• Jayden Jordan, Sherwood High School
• Nevaeh Marshall, Springbrook High School
• Teniola Tobun, Winston Churchill High School
• Olivia Ormsby , Watkins Mill High School
• Kamora Lattiboudeaire, Wheaton High School
• Ndakissa Okogho Paris, Walt Whitman High School
• Teramoluwa Taiwo, Thomas S. Wootton High School