EJI announces 35 winners of 2026 Montgomery Public Schools Legacy Scholarship

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – The Equal Justice Initiative has announced 35 winners of the 2026 Montgomery Public Schools Legacy Scholarship. The Legacy Scholars, who are graduating seniors from all eight of Montgomery’s public high schools, received $10,000 each to support their future studies, and an additional two $5,000 scholarships were also awarded.

Legacy Scholars were selected through an essay contest that asked students to reflect on their experience visiting EJI’s Freedom Monument Sculpture Park or through interviews conducted at each school.

Now in its fourth year, the Legacy Scholarship program was created to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to their communities. Since the program’s inception, EJI has awarded nearly 130 scholarships of $10,000 each to graduating seniors in Montgomery.

“Over the last four years, we have awarded $1.3 million dollars worth of scholarships to Montgomery high school graduates to advance their education and go to college. I’m incredibly proud of all of these young people and the hope, joy, and inspiration they provide to all of us,” said Bryan Stevenson, EJI executive director.

To celebrate the Legacy Scholars’ achievements, yesterday evening hundreds of family members, teachers, school administrators, and community members gathered at Elevation Convening Center’s Mountaintop Ballroom.

The winners of the 2026 Montgomery Public Schools Legacy Scholarship are:

Adriana Johnson
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Connor Owens
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Donavon Patton
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Jennifer Stanton
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Kailyn Zaniya Goldsmith
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Omari Tucker
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Zaria Aniyah Bright
Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Baile Braxton
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Deonna Ross
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Hailey Hill
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Jayden Barnes
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Jessica Bui
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Jordan Johnson
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Lauren Rice
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Madison Brundidge
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Angeline Reyes Mendez
G. W. Carver High School

Azariah Gibson
G. W. Carver High School

Chaise Williams
G. W. Carver High School

Zamiah Smith
G. W. Carver High School

AunDre’ya Steiner
Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School

DeWayne Jackson III
Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School

Jocelyn Guzman
Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School

Zania Johnson
Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School

Hayden Jackson
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Maryam Khan
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Miriam Young
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Zuriyah Fishoe
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Cam Ron Williams-Robinson
McIntyre Comprehensive Academy

Tai’La McClain
McIntyre Comprehensive Academy

Jabryah Thompson
Park Crossing High School

Kayla Sayviseth
Park Crossing High School

Kaylin Kelly
Park Crossing High School

Shayla Steele
Park Crossing High School

Ariel Williams
Dr. Percy L. Julian High School

I’ndia Poole
Dr. Percy L. Julian High School

Jatarius Coley
Dr. Percy L. Julian High School

Victor Davis III
Dr. Percy L. Julian High School