Overlooking the Wildcat Creek at the Simon Youth Academy at McKinley, success looks a little different than it does in other schools. While the world outside can feel loud and complicated for some students, inside the walls of McKinley School, students find cornerstones of calm and support. For the Wildkats here, success isn’t just a grade—it can feel like a mountain to climb while often carrying the weight of that outside world on their shoulders. That is why standout educators like Mrs. Deanne Wideman know how important it is to be entirely intentional about cultivating a consistent and supportive educational space, like the one here at McKinley.
It takes an incredible amount of bravery to keep climbing, and when students are carrying that much, every single step forward is a victory. Recently, that courage to change was brought into the light at the 33rd Annual Mayor’s Turnaround Achievement Awards Breakfast, celebrating students who have shown immense growth both personally and in the classroom.
From the Tough Days to the Turnaround
At McKinley, choosing a student for this honor isn’t about checking a box. Under the leadership of Principal Idowu Ikudabo, it is a real conversation among the staff who see these students every day. 
The teachers look back at the version of the student who first arrived—someone who might have been short on credits, struggling with anger, or carrying a heavy weight from home. Then, they look at the young adult standing before them now. This award is for seniors who made the brave choice to stop looking back and start facing their future; actively choosing their path.
This year, two seniors, Koriyah Miller and Gavan Bowen, showed us exactly what that growth looks like.
Koriyah’s Journey: From Doubt to Leadership
When Koriyah first walked into McKinley during her sophomore year, she was facing a steep uphill climb with her schoolwork. She struggled with the rules and, more importantly, she was really disconnected from her own potential. She couldn't picture herself crossing a graduation stage, let alone building a path toward college.
But slowly, things changed. Koriyah started to lead. Recognizing her efforts and potential, staff chose her as one of McKinley's representatives for a Civil Rights Journey to Washington, D.C., and through the American South. A defining moment of the trip came in Birmingham, Alabama, where Koriyah visited the historic 16th Street Baptist Church and spent invaluable time with Sarah Collins Rudolph—the "fifth little girl" and sole survivor of the tragic 1963 bombing.
A photograph from her travels captures Koriyah at a train station along the way—a fitting image for a student who has spent the last year gaining incredible momentum. The girl who once couldn't see her own path is now a young leader standing tall, carrying the lessons of the history she studied as she moves with purpose toward the future she is building.
Today, Koriyah isn't just graduating; she is a Core 40 graduate with a plan. She loves animals and is heading towards a career as a veterinary technician. She has completely redefined her own path, stepping into a leadership role that earns the daily respect of her teachers and peers.
Gavan’s Journey: Building Past the Anger
When Gavan first came to McKinley, the sheer pace and pressure of the world outside of school made it difficult to find his footing. He was carrying a deep anger—feeling like life wasn't fair and that he didn't have a choice in where he was. But as the consequences of that mindset started to push back, he realized that while he couldn’t always control his circumstances, he can—and must—take responsibility for his own path.
Over time, Gavan learned how to turn that defensive anger into a reinforced work ethic and leverage that intensity into purpose. He achieved a major milestone by securing his high school diploma, proving himself in the classroom while simultaneously mastering a technical trade. As a Core 40 graduate, Gavan also completed the Collision Repair Career Pathway and has already stepped directly into the construction workforce.
A Hometown Behind Them
Coming back from the Mayor's Breakfast, Koriyah and Gavan weren't just returning to a school where people know their stories—they were coming back to the people who are actively helping them author the next chapter. The congratulations in the halls were genuine and meaningful—the nods of recognition from the people who know exactly what it took to get there.
For a school like McKinley, a city celebration doesn't redefine the building, but that kind of recognition does change the energy inside it. The Turnaround Breakfast is a rare moment that provides the outside world with real insight into the work these kids and staff put in every day. It's a reminder to Kokomo that the Simon Youth Academy at McKinley isn't a fallback plan—it's a supportive community that carries these students' challenges right alongside them, while protecting their potential and facing them forward.
Where Tomorrow Lives
There is a profound significance in having city leaders pause and really look at these young people. The reality of Kokomo is that our future walks through the halls of McKinley every day. Most of these students will grow up to clock into local jobs, buy homes, and raise their own children right here in this community.
When our city honors them now, it isn't a superficial compliment; it’s a reflection of how much we value every single person who calls this town home. We are telling them:
We see your effort, we value your place here, and when life gets heavy—as we all know it can—you don’t have to carry it alone.
We are incredibly grateful for Mayor Tyler Moore's continued leadership and dedication to this annual recognition; by intentionally lifting up our students, he highlights the shared belief that every young person in Kokomo deserves a champion.
Congratulations to Koriyah and Gavan. You didn't just turn your grades around; you showed us all what it looks like to believe in yourself enough to choose a better path and do the hard work to get there, as we all travel together along the Wildkat Way.
Find Your Future: The Path Forward
No matter where your student is on their educational journey, Kokomo School Corporation provides the unique pathways, resources, and community support to help them face their path with confidence.