Providing Tools For Future Leaders: Advocates for Youth Education Celebrates Local Graduates with Scholarships

Advocates for Youth Education (AYE) celebrated its scholarship recipients with a dinner at the Maketewah Country Club on May 1. The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Karen Bankston, a noted nursing and healthcare leader, who inspired attendees about resilience in the face of adversity. William Dupree, II discussed college expectations, while musical interludes were provided by Everett Moore and vocalist Uriah Lambert, who performed an original piece by Moore. AYE, founded in 1989 by Merri Gaither Smith and her co-founders, empowers local high school seniors with scholarships to accredited four-year institutions. The committee, chaired by Dr. Staci Kennedy, awarded 13 scholarships this year, totaling over $1.5 million since inception. These aspiring students embody AYE's commitment to fostering educational excellence in the Cincinnati area.