Ken’Triana McDade is building the groundwork for a bright future

By Dr. Shirley Moutry

Ambitious, focused and determined are the key words that propel Ken’Triana McDade to strive for and achieve excellence. Ken’Triana is an honor student at Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School. At the end of this school year, she had earned a 4.8333 GPA and will be enering her senior year in the fall.

Ken’Triana is enrolled in honors classes and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society-Rufus King Chapter. Selection into this nationwide organization is based on academic achievement, leadership, service, and character. She was also inducted into the Science National Honor Society. In addition to being a scholar, she has first place ribbons and trophies for participating in City and State Forensics, and is also active in golf, softball, First Stage Theatre, debate and STEM.

Serving her community is her passion. Outside of school, Ken’Triana is a member of District 9 City Hall Youth Council. On this Council, she discusses problems impacting youth and solutions designed to create safety in the community. She served as a teachers’ assistant at Howard Montessori School reading to students, assisted in feeding the homeless and providing hygiene care packages outside of the Central Library, on weekends.

Ken’Triana is involved in numerous activities at her church, New Hope Baptist Church, under the spiritual guidance and leadership of Dr. Archie Ivy and First Lady Jeanette Ivy, Mother Katie Theus and Reverend Reggie Ivy. At her church, she has taken on active roles in the Youth Ministry, choir, usher, greeter/announcements, cheerleading, Bible study, and is a praise dancer.

She credits her parents, Ken and Trish McDade, for their love and instilling in her the value of hardwork, self-discipline, faith in God, respect for self and others, and her sister Ken’Tasia and brother Keon’tre for their inspiring roles. She also recognizes her middle school principal at Golda Meier, and Ms. Michelle Carter; Ms. Tanzanique Carrington, principal at Rufus King International for their motivation in her goals and aspirations.

Ken’Triana has become a creative, critical and reflective thinker and has built the groundwork for a bright future.