Today, the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) announced the recipients of the 2026 Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation Jim Hughey, Jr. Scholarship.
The scholarship was commemorated in memory of RCB Past President Jim Hughey, Jr. in celebration of the organization's 110th anniversary.
The eight outstanding seniors selected recently graduated from Birmingham City Schools (BCS): Nigel Boler, Woodlawn High School; Josh Evans, G.W. Carver High School; Ja’Nae Harris, Ramsay High School; Mongoma Kiman, Woodlawn High School; Tyree Kirland, A.H. ParkerHigh School; Mackenzie Lawson, P.D. Jackson-Olin High School; Mia Maiden, G.W. Carver High School; and Johnathan Scott, G.W. Carver High School.
Over 60 BCS seniors applied to the competitive annual scholarship program. Students were selected based on their academic and extracurricular achievements, commitment to serving the community, personal essay and educator recommendations. Each student will receive $2,000 per year over four years that can be used for any expenses while they are enrolled in an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university. The RCB Foundation has awarded scholarships to 39 Birmingham City Schools students since 2019.
The scholarship winners include:
Nigel Boler, Valedictorian of Woodlawn High School’s senior class. He plans to major in Psychology and minor in Musical Theatre at Fordham University. He works at McDonald’s, has served as an intern with Woodlawn United and volunteer with NewGen Peacebuilders. He plays sousaphone and tuba in the Woodlawn Concert and Marching Bands, participates in choir and theatre, is SGA President and a member of FBLA and the Chess Club. He enjoys baking, leadership, community service and event planning.
Josh Evans, graduate of G. W. Carver High School. He plans to study Computer Science at the University of Alabama. He is a member of Carver’s baseball team, National Honor Society, and Beta Club, and served as Recycling Captain. He enjoys reading, cooking, playing baseball, basketball and video games.
Ja’Nae Harris, graduate of Ramsay High School. She plans to study Math and English at the University of Alabama. She works at Milo’s and with the city’s department of Parks and Recreation. She plays on the Ramsay basketball team, is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and FBLA. She enjoys praise dancing, attending teen summits, skating, reading and spending time with family.
Mongoma Kiman, Salutatorian of Woodlawn High School’s senior class. He plans to study Business Administration at Wake Forest University. He founded Surmount Marketing, a digital agency where he leads creative strategy and marketing development for small business clients. He is a College Advisor Assistant, Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor and member of FBLA. He enjoys playing basketball, reading, graphic design, fashion styling and learning about stock investments.
Tyree Kirkland, Salutatorian of A. H. Parker High School’s senior class. He plans to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He serves in the Student Government Association and National Honor Society and works at Walmart. He is a published author of poetry, enjoys running, doing research, listening to music and sewing.
Makenzie Lawson, graduate of P. D. Jackson Olin High School. She plans to study Criminal Justice at Alabama State University. She works at AMC and has served as an intern with the City of Bessemer. She’s Captain of Jackson Olin’s Girls’ Track Team, a member of the Mean Green Marching Machine Band, President of FCCLA, SGA Class Officer, a school ambassador and member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Board. She enjoys dance, running track, writing and listening to music.
Mia Maiden is Valedictorian of G. W. Carver High School’s senior class. She plans to study Computer Science and Business at Grinnell College. She plays the trumpet in Carver’s band, is a dance girl, serves as Air Force and Army JROTC Commander, and is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and Black Women’s Round Table. She also works for Uber and serves as an intern with YouthServe.
Johnathan Scott, graduate of G. W. Carver High School and a College Choice Foundation Bateman Scholar. He plans to major in Music and Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in automotive at Alabama State University.