The 2026 recipient of the Dr. Horace Jackson Legacy Scholarship is Alyssa Kimbro-Sambrano. She is a third-generation John W. North High student. Her grandparents met and fell in love at North and both her mom and aunt attended North before she did, so some of her teachers remember them!

In a personal essay titled “Using Chaos as Fuel,” Alyssa describes her large, extended family who live with her grandmother. The young graduate attributes her drive and strength to both her mother and grandmother:

Seeing my mother work two jobs while my grandmother tries to keep everything together teaches me two things that still guide me today: stability isn’t handed to you, you have to create it, and education is the most reliable way to do that.

College isn’t a luxury for me, it’s the bridge that can finally lift my family out of the paychecktopaycheck cycle that has defined us for generations. My mother gives up her own dreams so I can have a chance at something more. I want to honor that sacrifice by earning a degree in radiological sciences, working as a radiologic technologist, and later attending medical school to become a radiologist.

Alyssa calls North her home away from home:

Alyssa told us that she learned a lot about Horace Jackson from the website and was impressed by his story. She says she thinks he probably did set in stone the culture of respect that still exists at North which started during Jackson’s tenure. While she has mixed feelings about leaving, Alyssa says she’s ready and expects she will return to help out in some way.

Saray Romero wants to be a bilingual teacher as a result of her family situation at home which she described in her personal essay:

Growing up in a household with immigrant parents has shaped who I am in ways I continue to understand more deeply as I get older. My parents came to this country to work hard and build a better life for our family. They are some of the most hard working and dedicated people I know. However, when they first arrived, they did not speak English, and even now, it is something they are still learning. Because of this, my siblings and I have had to take on the role of translator for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I have helped my parents communicate in situations like doctor’s appointments, school meetings, paying bills, and even just simple conversations. At times, this responsibility felt overwhelming, but it also taught me something very important, having a voice matters.

Saray says she’s found her voice in the four years she’s attended North - she told us she used to be very shy and worried about what other people might think, but now that is no longer a concern.

Abrar Imad grew up in Afghanistan. As he describes in his essay, his family had to leave when the government collapsed in 2024. Since then he has been trying to hone his communication skills and apparently doing a great job, as he was a featured speaker at the North graduation.

One thing that really changed me was seeing how difficult life can be for people who don’t speak English well. I started helping people translate between English, Pashto, and Persian. At first, it was just small things, like helping someone understand a message or a form. But over time, I realized how important that role actually is. For some people, it’s the difference between understanding their rights or being completely lost. That made me more responsible and aware of how much impact small actions can have…I saw how learning something new can change a person’s confidence. When someone finally understands something they struggled with, you can see it in their face.

Abrar says he doesn’t take being in the United States lightly. He plans to go into the medical field, but not sure yet in what capacity.

Congratulations, Alyssa, Saray, and Abrar!  We look forward to following you on your education journey.