Zyana Henry is a 16-year-old creative powerhouse, youth advocate, and fashion designer from Detroit, Michigan. She is an 11th grade student at University Prep Art & Design and is actively involved in National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Student Council, Academic Games, and proudly holds the title of Youth of the Year 2025. Zyana […]

Taylor Peterson is a 10th grade student at Detroit Renaissance High School. She actively participates in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Umoja Debate League, the Biomedical Career Advancement Pipeline, and Medical Youth Professionals. In addition, she serves as a paid intern with the Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery.  Taylor is passionate […]

Ricardo Carter is a 10th grade student at University Preparatory Academy. Ricardo cares about the education in his city because he knows everyone can learn and grow. He also cares about education because after COVID, when he was in 6th grade, his grades were low then, but he made a turnaround from 7th grade to now, […]

Mireya Pouncy is an 11th grade student at University Preparatory Academy High School (UPA). She is the current president of National Honors Society, a TRIO Upward Bound Ambassador, and a leading member of UPA’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance). Mireya maintains a 4.2 GPA in school while balancing multiple honors classes. Being a part of the Skillman […]

Matthew Johnson is an 11th grade student at the University of Detroit Jesuit. He is also involved in the Hidden Genius Program and the Childs Play Foundation. Matthew is eager to learn about the diverse skills, cultures, and perspectives that the world has to offer. His goal is to choose a profession in the future that […]

Lucy Stern is an 11th grade home school student, artist, and someone who is deeply passionate about education that reflects who we truly are. She loves working with younger students and helping people feel understood. She draws, writes, plays music, and spends a lot of time learning languages.  Lucy serves on the Skillman Youth Council because […]

Jurmel Mitchell Jr. is a 10th grade home school student. He is also a member of Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, a youth ambassador for the Association for the Advancement of Deaf/Hard of Hearing (AADHH), a member of The Brown Explorers study abroad program, and member of the youth council for Community Development Advocates of Detroit. 

Gabrielle Jones is a 10th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is on the honor roll and is a member of her school’s varsity tennis team. Gabrielle takes pride in serving her community as a proud member of her school’s student ambassadors club, the NAACP, and the Co-Ette Club, Inc. She also serves […]

Emely Maciel is a 10th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is part of the junior varsity girls’ lacrosse team, participated in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), and was a member of the student government club. One of her passions is getting involved in more activities in school and in the community. […]

DeRick McCalebb is an 11th grade student at University Prep Art & Design. He is the chair and founder of the Student Leadership Board across the University Prep network and serves as the sergeant at arms on his school’s Student Council. DeRick was also a lead mentor with Boldly Moving Education Ahead (BMEA) for three […]

Brooklyn Williams is an 11th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is involved in six extracurricular activities including DECA Inc., Winning Futures, Rotary Interact Club, Pretty Brown Girls, Cass Tech Great Girls, and Detroit Windsor Dance Academy Teen Mentors. Brooklyn joined the Skillman Youth Council because of her passion for public education. She […]

Brooklyn Ward is a 10th grade student at Renaissance High School. In school she is a member of the medical careers club, in addition to being on the junior varsity softball team. Brooklyn believes everyone should have equal opportunities to educational resources. In her free time, Brooklyn often reads books or goes on walks with […]

Brian Corona is a 10th grade student at Cesar Chavez Academy High School. He is currently in robotics and varsity soccer. Brian cares about the education system because he believes it is the heart and drive for a better future in Detroit. It is the path for fortitude and progress in generations.

Analeise Martinez is an 11th grade student at Cesar Chavez Academy High School. She is a member of her school’s volleyball team and is passionate about helping others in different ways, especially through education. Analeise believes that education is a powerful tool that can help people accomplish their dreams and create better opportunities for themselves. […]

Amani Merritt is an 11th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is involved in Doctors of Tomorrow, book club, Wolverine Pathways, Women of Tomorrow, and serves as a Project Genesis summer intern. She is also a dedicated community babysitter and a proud member of AKA Teens. Amani is passionate about health advocacy and helping […]