Four graduating seniors from Ascension Leadership Academy are making history as each member of the Class of 2026 has earned scholarships to help fund their college education – a first for the school.
Together, the students have secured at least $234,500 in scholarship awards, with the potential for additional funding still pending.
The scholarship recipients and their awards include:
- Maddie Parker — Posner Scholarship, $52,000, attending Jacksonville State University
- Akina Curry — Posner Scholarship, $52,000, attending University of Mobile
- Damian Brown — Crowe Scholarship, $5,000, attending Central Alabama Community College; Archibald Ritter Green Scholarship, up to $120,000 for four years at University of Alabama
- Emma Lackey — Crowe Scholarship, $5,500, attending Gadsden State Community College
The students will graduate in a ceremony on May 20 at First Presbyterian Church Talladega. Damian Brown is valedictorian for the Class of 2026 and Maddie Parker is salutatorian.
Damian will complete his associate in science degree at Central Alabama Community College before enrolling at The University of Alabama alongside his sister, Charity, in the fall of 2027. Damian plans to go into dentistry. Damian has been a student at Ascension since first grade. He began piano lessons in the third grade and has become an accomplished player.
Maddie Parker will attend Jacksonville State University this fall beginning as an unofficial sophomore having already received 44 college credits through dual enrollment at Central Alabama Community College. Her plans are to pursue a career in nursing.
Akina Curry completed her graduation requirements early in January and will attend Mobile University in the fall and study business management. Akina has been taking ballet lessons since she was in the first grade and now assists in teaching ballet during her summer off hours.
Emma Lackey will begin classes at Gadsden State University this summer to study cosmetology. Emma came to Ascension in the eighth grade. Emma spends her downtime crocheting and spending time with her dog, Maya.
Brown is also expected to receive an additional $1,500 from Central Alabama Community College. Maddie and Akina have applied for Meharg Scholarships, though those awards have not yet been announced.
Notably, three of the four graduates — Maddie Parker, Damian Brown, and Emma Lackey — have secured scholarships that will fully cover their college expenses. While Akina Curry has received substantial support, officials noted that tuition at the University of Mobile exceeds the state average, meaning her award will cover the typical cost of attending a college or university in Alabama.
Education Director Linda Harris said the milestone is a powerful reflection of both student dedication and the school’s mission.
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment for our seniors and for Ascension Leadership Academy,” Harris said. “To see every graduating senior earn scholarship support — and for most of them to have their college costs fully covered — speaks to their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to their futures. We are incredibly proud of each of them and excited to see what they will achieve next.”
School leaders say the achievement underscores Ascension Leadership Academy’s focus on academic excellence and preparing students for success beyond high school, as this year’s graduates take their next steps into higher education with strong financial support already in place.
