The 2025 MTM Unsung Heroes Scholarship Celebration will take place Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Rd., Athens.

LC Smith, founder of R. Fathers Mad, will deliver the keynote address, sharing insights and stories that will resonate with the theme of this year’s event, “Finding Your WHY, Fueling Your Success!” Kenny Anderson will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Additionally, the event will include a musical selection by Jaya Gibbons, a Peer Talk presentation by Tailan Hall, and a special appearance by Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks.

This annual event, founded by Jannifer Matthews, will celebrate both outstanding high school seniors and extraordinary community leaders who exemplify resilience, perseverance and selfless service. The casual attire event, presented by MTM Educational Enrichment, will be free and open to the public.

“I had made God all of these promises when I was a kid: that if He allowed me to graduate from high school, get a college degree and get a good job, I would go back to the community and give back to the kids like myself,” Matthews said. “When I was younger, my dad fell off one of the cooling towers he was working on at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant and that caused him not to be able to work. My mother then stopped working to take care of him, dwindling whatever savings they had. So, in high school, I started working a part-time job to support my family. I wasn’t able to graduate from high school with my peers at the time, but I was able to get a stipend that paid for all of my educational endeavors. That is ultimately what birthed the MTM Unsung Heroes Scholarship Fund.”

Through scholarship awards and community recognitions, MTM Educational Enrichment has continued its mission of empowering future generations while honoring the often-unseen heroes among us.

The MTM Unsung Hero Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors from the City of Athens and Limestone County who have demonstrated courage and resilience in the face of adversity. Each recipient has submitted a personal essay detailing obstacles they have had to overcome and how they remained steadfast in their pursuit of education and personal growth.

“Some of these kids have faced lower household incomes, while others have had to overcome their own health issues,” Matthews said. “But, all of them have persevered through life’s difficulties – just reading their stories has been amazing to me.”

These seven remarkable students represent hope, determination and the spirit of triumph:

— Jamie Kinyari from Athens High School

— Amandaoe Jobe from Athens High School

— Creslen Hodes from Tanner High School

— Miley Muston from Tanner High School

— Irvin Diza Gonzales from Tanner High School

— Ruby Feri-Zurita from Tanner High School

— Marley Lewter from Tanner High School

MTM Educational Enrichment has also announced the recipients of their MTM Cup Scholarship, which is for students who fall outside of the parameters of the MTM Unsung Hero Scholarship. These four extraordinary students have reflected the mission of MTM Educational Enrichment in their commitment to personal growth:

— JuliAnn Kyle from West Limestone High School

— Jake Guthrie from Elkmont High School

— Marley Lewter from Tanner High School

— Logan Rilling from Tanner High School

In addition to the student scholarships, the Community Heroes Awards will recognize local citizens who are making significant, lasting impacts through service and leadership — often without seeking any recognition or fanfare. These unsung heroes have quietly done amazing things to strengthen the Athens and Limestone County communities, embodying the true spirit of servant leadership.

“Our Unsung Heroes — both students and community leaders — remind us that real strength is found not in the spotlight, but in the quiet, consistent acts of perseverance, kindness and service,” Matthews said. “This celebration is about lifting up those who have lifted others.”