As Atlanta Public Schools’ highest-ranking JROTC cadet, 18-year-old Haleigh Jones knows a thing or two about discipline. This summer, she will begin basic training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point – a life goal that did not come without doubters and challenges.

Payton Johnson, 17, is the jack of many trades: poetry, photography, Ultimate Frisbee, piano, basketball, chess, robotics, and academics – just to name a few. “Throughout my entire academic career, I’ve always been looked at as the smartest student, especially after being ranked No. 1 and valedictorian in eighth grade,” said Payton.

Akil Shaw, 18, literally marches to the beat of his own tune. An accomplished musician, he will graduate from Benjamin E. Mays High School with a music scholarship. His success as a musician will offset the cost of tuition at Alabama A&M University, Bethune-Cookman, Morehouse or FAMU, where he’ll major in electrical engineering.