The Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC) held its annual awards ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at the Historic Frederick Douglass High School. The theme of this year’s event was Together in Joy which built on MSAAC’s theme for the year, celebrating the power of joy.
LCPS school psychologist, Dr. Charles Barrett, expanded on the event’s theme with a keynote address, entitled “Seizing Joy.” He encouraged the audience to remember that joy is contagious.
“What do you do when someone laughs? What do you do when someone smiles? Then ask yourself, how can you live in a way that awakens joy in others?”
The highlight of the event was the recognition of the 2025 MSAAC award winners, who were nominated by members of the LCPS community:
MSAAC Chair’s Choice Award: J.L. Simpson Middle School
Wendell T. Fisher Award – Administrator: Amrita Sethi, Director of Counseling, Stone Bridge High School
Wendell T. Fisher Award – Principal: Dr. Mojisola Adejumo, Principal, Cardinal Ridge Elementary School
Wendell T. Fisher Award – Teacher: Rula Nassar, Seneca Ridge Middle School
MSAAC Distinguished Diversity Delegate Award: Banan Malkawi, Potowmack Elementary School
Equity Lead Award: Jennifer Herrin, J. L. Simpson Middle School
Dr. Linda Deans Student Equity Leadership Award – Middle School: Makayla Coleman, Brambleton Middle School
Dr. Linda Deans Student Equity Leadership Award – High School: Khalid “DJ” Araki, Dominion High School