“When we invest in young people who are committed to doing good, we strengthen the very fabric of our community—and success follows for all of us,” said Huntington Bank Chairman Gary Torgow.
This message came to life on June 11 when families, educators and community leaders gathered at the Huntington Detroit Tower to celebrate the latest graduating class and mark 10 years of the S.W.A.G. (Students Wired for Achievement and Greatness) Scholarship Awards. The Huntington Bank and Michigan Chronicle program has now supported more than 200 Detroit students and invested nearly $2 million in scholarships and education-focused programming.
This year, 13 high school seniors and one returning alumni recipient received a combined $120,000 in scholarships and were honored for their integrity, service and commitment to their communities as they prepare to take the next step in their educational journey.
Detroit community leaders stand with 2026 S.W.A.G. scholarship recipients
Reed Foster (middle), U of D Jesuit High School graduate, is looking forward to being able to give back to his family, community and to what he was given. He will be heading to Hampton University to study finance.
“I have learned that perseverance, hard work and resilience are the keys to overcoming obstacles,” said Sarai Love-Carter, a graduate from Renaissance High School. “I am committed to never giving up on my goals and to making a positive difference in the lives of those around me.”
Love-Carter (middle), posing with family, plans to study nursing at Wayne State University
“What inspires me to excel and be resilient is the people around me,” said William Edwards Jr., Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. “All my friends, everyone around me, are great, so it encourages me to be even better. Looking at their futures and their ambitions, I see great things, so I want to see that in myself.”
“I know this is an experience that not everyone is blessed with, and I feel very blessed and very excited,” said Kennedy King, Cass Technical High School. “What inspires me to excel and be resilient is my parents. I’ve watched them be able to provide for me, and that’s something that I want to be able to provide for my children, my grandchildren and future generations.”
“First, I want to say thank you so much for this opportunity,” said Nevaeha Wheeler, Cody High School. “It will motivate me to keep going in life and keep pushing me harder and harder to reach my goals.”
The scholarship was built on the premise that potential is not defined by GPA alone. With a minimum GPA requirement of 2.25, the program recognizes students who demonstrate leadership through service, volunteerism and a commitment to giving back and lifting up others.
The program’s success shows up through the impact made by S.W.A.G. alumni. Over the past decade, S.W.A.G. scholarship recipients have gone on to build careers, launch businesses and lead efforts that give back and support the future of Detroit.
Harrington addresses 2026 S.W.A.G. recipients
Participation in the evening’s ceremony included 2017 S.W.A.G. alumna Damon Creighton Jr, who served as the event’s emcee, and 2021 S.W.A.G. recipient Arthur Harrington, who gave an alumni reflection to this year’s cohort. Harrington emphasized the importance of believing in yourself and your willingness to keep moving forward. He also encouraged students to not think of S.W.A.G. as a one-night recognition, but as an opportunity to build lasting relationships with one another and the mentors and leaders in the room.
This year, S.W.A.G. alumna Papia Aziz was awarded a $10,000 scholarship as part of this year’s class to pursue a master’s degree in nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy. She first received a S.W.A.G. scholarship in 2016 as part of the inaugural class, which helped her earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She currently works as a registered nurse in Metro Detroit and is involved in community service initiatives focused on food insecurity, health education and outreach to diverse populations.
“The S.W.A.G. scholarship not only helps me achieve my educational goals but also empowers me to give back to the community that shaped me,” said Aziz. “I hope to inspire future generations to believe that, through hard work, determination and courage, they can overcome challenges and reach their full potential. I sincerely thank the scholarship committee for believing in my dreams and investing in my future.”
Beyond scholarships and financial support, S.W.A.G. was designed as an avenue to connect students to mentorship, career exposure and networks that help bridge the gap between education and real-world opportunity. For Huntington and the Michigan Chronicle, it’s about playing a small role to see what great things these students go on to accomplish.
Huntington’s Torgow (right) and Michigan Chronicle’s Jackson (left) celebrate 10 years of partnering together to make S.W.A.G. possible
“We honor our community through young people,” said Hiram Jackson, publisher, Michigan Chronicle. “We see students take this opportunity and turn it into something more, building their futures while staying rooted in the communities that supported them. That kind of continued investment and commitment is what helps Detroit grow stronger.”
