The NAACP of Ann Arbor recognized 249 high school students at its annual Freedom Fund Dinner, according to Ann Arbor Public Schools.
The students, from four Ann Arbor Public Schools high schools, maintained a 3.2 grade point average or above during the 2025-26 school year, according to the AAPS news site. Honored scholars came from Community, Huron, Pioneer and Skyline.
This year’s dinner carried the theme “We the People, Civil Rights Through Responsible Innovation and Technology.” The district described the focus as ensuring technological advances benefit people.
Three student speakers addressed the gathering.
According to the district’s account, Skyline student America Mota-Bojorquez reflected on being the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and a Black woman from Detroit. She described wanting Black and brown girls to recognize their own possibilities in her achievements.
Huron student Daniel Yiga discussed technology’s benefits while cautioning that irresponsible innovation can deepen inequality. He encouraged young people, including Black students, to contribute to their communities.
“You do not have to wait until you’re old to make a difference, you can begin now by the way you treat others, how you use your voice, what you chose to learn and how you use your God given talents to serve the community,” Yiga said.
Community student Nylee Harmon argued that innovation’s value lies in the opportunities it creates for people. Harmon called for access to technology regardless of financial resources.
Community High School’s scholars included Kany Camara, Annette Dobson, Elinor Freeland and Makayla Weber, among others. Huron had the largest group of listed honorees, including Daniel Addis, Kelaia Ashford, Glen Baltimore and Daniel Yiga. Pioneer’s scholars included Roman Adigun, Lamya Ahmed and Devon Zuniga. Skyline’s honorees included Amelia Armstrong, Jada Bruce, America Mota-Bojorquez and Eden Yarmoluk.
The district’s published list of Freedom Fund Scholars is available on the AAPS news site.
