Mobile County Public Schools recognized four top students for the impact they are making at their schools and in the community, surprising them in their classrooms this week with district-wide Learning Leading Awards.
They are: Rylan Besaw of Gilliard Elementary School, Anniston Byrd of McDavid-Jones Elementary School, Benjamin Stringfellow of Phillips Preparatory School, and Farah Hujier of Davidson High School.
Each of MCPSS’s 90 schools honored a Learning Leading student who exemplifies the district’s motto of: “Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.” From those, a committee selected the four countywide winners. All 90 students will be honored at the Learning Leading Awards on April 23 at 6 p.m. at Murphy High School.
These students all have a few things in common: They are kind, they go out of their way to help others, and they have the utmost character and integrity to represent their schools with honor.
MCPSS is proud of all 90 students for the work they are doing at their schools. They truly embody the spirit of learning and leading at MCPSS.
Here is more information about the county winners:
Rylan Besaw, a fifth-grader at Gilliard Elementary School, is a straight-A student who is known for his inspiring leadership and a heart for service. Rylan has impressed his teachers by going the extra mile to master new concepts and by approaching his lessons with curiosity, determination, and a desire to do his very best. Rylan is the school’s Flag Pole Representative, a role that he serves with responsibility and pride. In his free time at Gilliard, he tutors first-graders who are struggling with reading. He also enjoys volunteer work, most recently wrapping Christmas presents to bring joy to underserved families in the Gilliard community. Rylan is known for leading with patience and encouragement, and for always taking the initiative to help others.
Anniston Byrd, a fifth-grader at McDavid-Jones Elementary, is in the gifted and talented program (Pursuing Academics, Creativity, and Excellence, or PACE), where she is known as a very driven, engaging and curious student who doesn’t mind taking risks and has high academic standards. She is a member of the National Elementary Honor Society and a member of the Wildcat National News broadcast team. Anniston is an independent thinker who understands how to work as part of a team and to lift up those around her. As a leader among her classmates, she often takes the initiative to help others, and is appreciated for her cheerful nature and her openness to feedback. Outside of the classroom, Anniston is a versatile athlete who plays volleyball and soccer. As a member of Restoration Church, where she sings with the children’s ministry, Anniston has taken part in community service projects that include lawn care for senior citizens, delivering groceries to families in need and water donations to the local fire department, and spreading holiday cheer by organizing a Christmas gift drive.
Benjamin Stringfellow, an eighth-grader at Phillips Preparatory School, earns straight As in the International Baccalaureate magnet program, serves as the Student Government Association President, and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. He is a member of the MCPSS Honor Band and has devoted two years to the robotics team, where he has earned praise for making thoughtful, responsible choices. Ben is known as a kind, dependable and encouraging leader, whose integrity has earned him the respect of his teachers and peers. His leadership skills also came to the fore after his team lost the middle school football championship, when he stood tall and supported his teammates. His football coach noted, “Ben never makes excuses. … As the teacher and coach, I am supposed to be a role model to Ben, but he is honestly a better role model to me.” Outside of school, he volunteers at multiple community organizations with the missions team at Christ United Methodist Church. According to Johnnie Williams, Phillips Preparatory Principal: “Ben’s determination, character, leadership and unwavering commitment to doing the right thing make him a truly outstanding student and a positive influence on everyone around him.”
Farah Hujier, a senior at Davidson High School, has thrived in the school’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program, driven by her love of chemistry and a clear sense of purpose for her future. She has been accepted into several highly selective schools, including the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech, and plans to earn a degree in chemical engineering, with the long-term goal of developing medicines and contributing to scientific advancements that improve lives. She is known as a curious, enthusiastic learner who asks thoughtful questions and has a deep respect for education, hard work and perseverance. One of the most outstanding examples of her leadership skills is her work to jump-start the Warriors’ robotics program, after changes in the competition created new challengers and participation had declined. Farah recruited new members, worked with faculty sponsors and sparked a fresh enthusiasm that led to the team dominating local and regional competitions in the fall, claiming the first place BEST Award and earning second place in robot performance against 23 teams from across the southeast. Farah has also shown impressive leadership with Davidson’s Model United Nations program, debating complex global issues with poise and focus and demonstrating a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. She is also a Student Government Representative, a member of the French Club, and a two-season cross-country athlete. As the daughter of Syrian immigrants, Farah has grown up witnessing her parents’ sacrifices as they rebuilt their lives and careers in the United States. This experience has developed her into a leader who has pride in her identity and empathy for others facing hardship.