Ebony's top Black high school seniors

THE top Black seniors of 2006 have excelled and are top-ranked in their classes. While maintaining stellar grades, they find the time to serve their communities and remain actively involved in various extracurricular activities. Their multiple efforts have paid off in the form of scholarships and acceptance letters to some of the nation's top colleges and universities.

This year's top seniors are remarkable examples of the talent and intellect that today's Black youths possess.

* BRADFORD WILLIAMS of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago has a 4.6 GPA and is senior class president. He is a National Achievement Finalist, Illinois State Scholar and Principal's Scholar. Williams is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and worked with U.S. Sen. Barack 0bama's campaign. He wants to study ethics, politics and economics.

* RACHELLE BOWMAN is class valedictorian at the Philadelphia High School for Girls in Philadelphia. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), Science Honor Society and a recipient of the Harvard Book Award for Academic Excellence. She plans to study psychology.

* KORI FIELDS of Cass High School in Detroit helped to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina and helped with Tsunami relief. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Principal's 4.0 Achievement Award. She will pursue apparel and textile design/merchandising.

* ALVIN BROWN, who is the 2006 salutatorian of his senior class at Jesup W. Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio, excels in academics and sports. He is a member of the All-City Academic Football Team and holds a 4.1 GPA. He has been accepted at Ohio State, Jackson State, Central State and Virginia State universities. He will pursue computer technology.

* JOSHUA McGHEE wants a future in music and already has college band scholarships worth more than $100,000. An honors student at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School in Fort Worth, Texas, he has been accepted at the University of North Texas and Prairie View A&M.

* KENDALL NICOLE ISADORE of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., is a musician and singer who has performed with Roberta Flack. She is vice president of her senior class and is a member of the National Honor Society. She wants to study chemistry.

* AKILILU ALAMERW ranks in the top 10 percent of his senior class at Walnut Ridge High School in Columbus, Ohio. He is on the school's "super honor roll" and is a member of the National Honor Society. Akililu is a recipient of the Kodak Scholarship and was accepted in Ohio State University's Youth Scholars Program. He plans to become a nurse.

* ALVERSIA STARKS, who has her sights set on law and political science, is the valedictorian at Weequahic High School in Newark, N.J. She is a student member of the Newark advisory board and drama club. She has been accepted to Cornell University, and Drew, Hamilton, Hobart and William Smith colleges.

IDRIS AKINPELU is the valedictorian of his senior class at the Magnet Center for Public Service Government and Law in Dallas. He has earned the National Merit Achievement Scholarship, the Stephen F. Austin Scholarship and the Reader's Digest Foundation Scholarship, among others. He has been accepted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and will pursue a career in business and economics.

* JENNA HILL is class valedictorian at Eleanor McMain Secondary School in New Orleans. She is recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students. She also is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Beta Club, Advanced Choir and Student Council. She plans to study biology/premedicine at Xavier University in New Orleans.

* KARIS BROWDER of Ramsay High School in Birmingham, Ala., has a 4.5 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a National Achievement Finalist and Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Outstanding JROTC Cadet Finalist. Browder plans to study biology/pre-medicine.

* ALLEN BERNARD WORTHY of Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga., is president of the senior student council. He is a member of the Math Honor Society and National Honor Society. He received two full scholarships to attend the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He'll study business.

* KHALEEL ATIYYEH, who will pursue a career in urban development, ranks fifth in his senior class and maintains a 4.08 GPA at the Science High School in Newark, N.J. Khaleel is class president, a student liaison to the superintendent of Newark Public Schools, and participated on award-winning debate teams. He has been accepted to Rutgers, Drew and Temple universities.

* AMBREASHA FRAZIER is class president at North Community High School in Minneapolis, where she has a 4.0 GPA. She is the 2005 City Doubles Tennis Champion and captain of the girls' tennis team. She is also a recipient of the University of Minnesota Leadership Award and Purdue Valedictorian Scholarship. She will pursue computer science.