Milwaukee's Finest Scholarship Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee's Finest Scholarship Foundation (MFSF) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarships, recognizing ten exceptional Milwaukee County high school graduates for their academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and commitment to higher education. A total of 552 students applied for scholarships during the 2026 application cycle, making it the most competitive year in the Foundation's history. Each student will receive $1,000 towards their educational expenses.

“Every application represented a student with extraordinary potential, but these ten scholars distinguished themselves through their academic excellence, leadership, perseverance, and commitment to serving others,” said Jerel Ballard, Founder of Milwaukee’s Finest. “Being selected from a pool of 552 applicants is an incredible achievement. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are proud to invest in these future leaders and look forward to seeing the lasting impact they will make in their communities."

Recipients were chosen through a rigorous review process conducted by a 15-member Scholarship Review Committee comprised of educators, business leaders, and community members. Each application was independently evaluated and scored using a standardized rubric that assessed academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, future goals, financial need, and personal essays. The students announced today earned the highest overall scores among all applicants.

2026 Milwaukee's Finest Scholars:

  • Aaron Calvert – Graduated from Marquette University High School; attending Marquette University

  • Ahlam Sheikh Ali – Graduated from Salam School High School; attending University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

  • Alexander Egerson – Graduated from Marquette University High School; attending University of Alabama at Birmingham

  • Brooklynn Bays-Lawrence – Graduated from Riverside University High School; attending Marquette University

  • Dianna Xiong – Graduated from HAPA Hmong American Peace Academy; attending University of Wisconsin - Madison

  • Geordynn Nappier – Graduated from Brown Deer High School; attending Xavier University of Louisiana

  • Jackson Thao – Graduated from Golda Meir High School; attending Northwestern University

  • MaLeyah Cornelius – Graduated from Dominican High School; attending Xavier University of Louisiana

  • Mohamad Idris Mohamad Ayub – Graduated from Salam High School; attending University of Wisconsin-milwaukee

  • Taylor Pitta – Graduated from Whitnall High School; attending Marquette University

The Milwaukee's Finest Scholarship Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Scholarship Review Committee, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners whose support makes these scholarships possible. Their collective investment continues to open doors for deserving students across Milwaukee County. Since its founding in 2016, the Milwaukee's Finest Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships, helping remove financial barriers and creating opportunities for students to pursue higher education.

Click here to RSVP for Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship Awards.

Click here to learn more about Milwaukee’s Finest Scholars Class of 2026.

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