Grand Rapids — Beneath the somewhat shy demeanor of Ottawa Hills High School senior Janaysha Miller, there’s a sense of excitement about the future.
That excitement is well-deserved. In February, Janaysha was named a Black History Maker of Tomorrow by McDonald’s. The award is for seniors whose actions uplift others and have a positive impact on their community.
“I feel good,” Janaysha said. “It’s satisfying. It’s good that, out of all the students, that I was picked.”
Janaysha was one of five Michigan students to receive the award, which comes with a $1,000 scholarship.
She was nominated by Ottawa Hills’ Dean of Students Chad Randolph. In addition to a strong GPA and a positive attitude, ideal candidates also needed to show a balance of priorities between school, family, employment and volunteering.
“Janaysha fits many of these qualities and more in the school,” Randolph said, adding that the senior is student council president, played on the basketball team and helped with the school’s Black History Month programming.
“She works hard and believes education is the key to her future,” he said.
Principal Tim Mabin concurred.
“She’s been a cornerstone of somebody who’s done hard work and done what she needed to do to be successful,” Mabin said.
He added that Janaysha “really represents the top-tier students at our school.”
“I’m just excited that she got recognized for that and got the opportunity to get the money that will hopefully be supportive as she goes toward her post-secondary goals,” he said.
Regarding what comes next, Janaysha is still thinking things through. She’s undecided about which college to attend, but knows she wants to become a teacher.
“I love kids,” she said.
Spanish teacher Amber Cain’s mentorship has been an inspiration, and helped show Janaysha that good teachers are “what kids need in their life.”
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