Youth & Education

Academic Challenge II

The Urban League’s Academic Challenge II program, in partnership with Fayette County Public Schools, allows students in participating Title I schools to spend more time on academics in a fun way. Designed to improve academic outcomes and boost parent engagement, the competition has served the Lexington community since 2001 and has awarded $3,064,326 in college scholarships.

2025 Scholarship Winners

The intermediate team from Sandersville Elementary and the primary team from Rise STEM Academy for Girls secured the 2025 Superintendent’s Cup victories in the districtwide championships. Their winning students will receive college scholarships from Morehead State ($12,000) and Midway University ($20,000), respectively. Additionally, a writing competition was held for fourth and fifth-grade students. Zaxby’s is seeding a Kentucky 529 Savings Plan for 4th-grade winners, and BCTC is providing 12 complimentary credit hours for this year’s 5th-grade writing winners. Congratulations to our 24 winners, and thank you to our sponsors, both at the college and district levels.

Primary Winners (2nd and 3rd Grade)

1st place: RISE STEM Academy for Girls—Biyanca Bhandari, Subasna Bhandari, Kathryn Campbell, Journee Dunn, Alondra Guillen, Elliot Schwartz

Intermediate Winners (4th and 5th Grade)

1st place: Sandersville Elementary—Faidat Adeyeye, Genevieve Beaty, Ella Buckler, Dayan Ebondo, Sanam Shrestha, Idris Walton

LIFT Conference

The LIFT (Lead, Inspire, Focus, and Thrive) Conference is a one-day, college and career conference for middle and high school students across Kentucky and their parents.

The objectives are to:

• Equip students with information about college options, financial aid, and career pathways.
• Provide hands-on workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• Connect students, parents, educators, and professionals to bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness.

This year, the conference will celebrate 22 years of empowering students and their families.

2025 Conference Evaluation Results

Partners include:

MADE: Motivated All Day Everyday

Motivated All Day Everyday provides weekly group counseling and mentoring services for middleand high school youth. The program focuses on social and emotional development and providesstrategies and life skills. In addition, the program challenges students to develop critical thinkingskills that have helped them improve in and out of the classroom. MADE is offered in selectmiddle and high schools in Fayette County. Students are referred to the program by schoolcounselors and administration.

For more information, please contact Logan Avritt by calling 859-233-1561.