There is Excellence Everywhere in Atlanta Public Schools, and we are excited to spotlight our exceptional student-athletes who are making plays both on and off the field! Join us in celebrating our APS Athletes of the Month for August 2026!
BEST Academy
Boys Athlete of the Month: Troy Moncivaiz
Sports: Cross Country
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: Finished top 50 out of 250 runners in the first APS XC Meet.
Coach quote: ” Troy is a hard-working, dedicated, committed, and coachable runner that shows up every day looking to get better.”- coach Tony Rambo
Future Plans: Attend college at Boston University and majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
Carver Early College
Girls Athlete of the Month: Janelle Jones
Sports: Softball
Grade: 11th
August Accomplishments: 2 homeruns, 4 saves and 10 RBIs.
Coach quote: She has done an outstanding job due to her coming in to save some games at the last minute.” – Joretta Kelly, Softball coach
Future Plans: Attend college
Boys Athlete of the Month: Patrick Perry II
Hudl page: Patrick Perry II Hudl Highlights
Sports: Football
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: 2 solo takes and 1 tackle for loss vs SW Dekalb.
Coach quote: “He is senior offensive and defensive lineman that plays an integral role on our team. He is a team captain; a dual enroll student at Georgia State University and has a grade point average of 3.9.”— Darren Myles, football coach
Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Girls Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie Scarbrooks
Sports: Cheer (junior varsity)
Grade: 10th
August Accomplishments: Nominated for the Governors Honor Program for Chinese, Maintaining all A’s while taking AVA and AP Courses.
Coach quote: “Mackenzie is an artistic, eclectic, free-spirited wildflower. She embraces her individuality and is not afraid to stand out. ‘Like a caterpillar, she doesn’t have to become someone else she simply has to trust the transformation and emerge as her own beautiful self.’” coach Hardeman
Future Plans: Amherst College and continue her education at one of the nation’s T14 law school.
Frederick Douglass High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Aubreyona Geary
Sports: Volleyball
Grade: 10th
August Accomplishments: Perfect Attendance and Straight A’s
Coach quote: “Aubreyona is the definition of a student-athlete. She is currently ranked number one in the sophomore class and brings the same level of dedication to athletics that she brings to the classroom. She leads by example, stays focused, and consistently looks for solutions when challenges arise. Aubreyona’s work ethic, leadership, and commitment on and off the field make her an excellent representation of what we want our student-athletes to be.” Coach Ericka Williams
Future Plans: I’m currently ranked No.1 in the Class of 2029 at Frederick Douglass High School. I want to go to an Ivy League school to practice criminal justice in hopes of becoming a detective.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Prince Cooper
Hudl page: Prince Cooper Hudl Highlights
Sports: Football
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: In the first game against two-time defending state champions Carver Columbus, I had 3 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss. The second game against the top-10 ranked Hampton High School, I had 6 total tackles and 1 sack.
Coach quote: “Prince is a very respected, level-headed young man who never gets rattled, regardless of the situation. He is the type of player who leads by example and consistently shows up ready to compete. On the field, he may not be the tallest player, but he makes up for it with his effort, toughness, football IQ, and determination. Prince gives maximum effort on every play and never backs down from a challenge. He is a difference-maker on our defense and a player we can count on when we need someone to make a play. His consistency, discipline, and competitive spirit make him an important part of our football team and a great example of what it means to play the Astro Way.”- Stanley Pritchett head football coach
Future Plans: I plan on graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in December and entering college as an early enrollee. I have several Division 1 offers. I have not committed to a university yet.
Maynard Jackson High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Hayden Perez
Sports: Volleyball
Grade: 9th
August Accomplishments: Athlete of the Month honors go to ninth-grade libero Hayden! The backbone of our defense, Hayden sets the tone with incredible reaction time, fearless court coverage, and unwavering composure under pressure. Hayden’s relentless pursuit on defense and steady leadership on the court makes her an easy pick for Athlete of the Month. As our 9th-grade libero, Hayden consistently digs deep, controls the backcourt, and puts the team first every single rally. Elite hustle, game-changing instincts, and total dedication—congratulations, Hayden
Coach quote: “She believed she could, so she did- and then she raised the bar for everyone else.” Coach A
Future Plans: After high school Perez plans to go to college and play volleyball. She plans to major in architecture and ultimately be a home designer.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Maksim Martin
Sports: Cross Country
Grade: 10th
August Accomplishments: Maksim has already set a new personal record this season and won the first district meet of the season.
Coach quote: “Maksim has put in a lot of work in the off season to become a better runner. He texted me at the end of last season and said that he wanted to be the best and he would work however hard he needed to. So far, he has done that.” – John Murray, Maynard H. Jackson head cross country coach.
Future Plans: Maksim plans to attend college and continue competing in cross country and track.
Benjamin E. Mays High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Kyra Tabor
Sports: Softball and Varsity Cheerleader
Grade: 9th
August Accomplishments: .562 Batting Avg.; .759 On-base percentage, 28 Stolen Bases. She is currently leading the nation in stolen bases.
Coach quote: “Kyra is a track-hawk on the base path; she has found her groove and been on fire”
Future Plans: Kyra wishes to pursue a collegiate softball career. She aims to lead the nation in stolen bases.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Jaquavious Hill
Hudl page: Jaquavious Hudl Highlights
Sports: Football, Position- Outside Linebacker
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: Jaquavious Hill had an outstanding August, making a tremendous impact on the field. In just two games, Jaquavious recorded 22 tackles and 3 sacks, demonstrating his toughness, relentless effort, and ability to make game-changing plays for the Mays Raiders.
Coach quote: “J-man has shown significant progress in his leadership abilities and work ethic, which has turned him into a force to be reckoned with. His dedication, toughness, and commitment to improving every day have made him an important leader on our team. He continues to lead by example both on and off the field.” — Reginald Austin, football coach
Future Plans: Jaquavious Hill plans to continue his football career at the collegiate level with the goal of playing Division I college football. He hopes to continue developing as a student-athlete, using his talent, work ethic, and leadership to compete at the highest level.
Midtown High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Abby Taylor
Sports: Volleyball
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: Midtown senior libero Abby Taylor continues to establish herself as one of the top defensive players in Georgia Class 6A. Taylor is currently averaging 4.1 digs per set, ranking 5th in Class 6A statewide. She is also approaching an impressive career milestone of 700 digs. Her serve-receive performance has been equally strong. Through 129 serve receptions, Taylor has maintained an exceptionally low reception-error percentage, providing consistent first contact for the Knights.
Taylor’s accomplishments have also earned national recognition, as she was named to the USA Volleyball 2026 All-American Watchlist in August. With the season continuing, Taylor is adding to an already impressive senior campaign and career at Midtown.
Coach quote: “Abby Taylor is our libero who consistently brings positivity, leadership, and strong knowledge of the game to our volleyball team. She studies our opponents, understands the game well, and knows how to uplift and encourage her teammates during challenging moments. Her positive attitude, team spirit, and dedication makes her highly deserving of this award. ” – Martha Jones, Volleyball coach
Future Plans: Undecided
Boys Athlete of the Month: D’Eric Mitchell
Hudl page: D’Eric Mitchell Hudl Highlights
Sports: Football
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: Total Tackles- 17, Tackle for Loss- 1, QB Hurries- 2, Pass Deflections- 2
Coach quote: “D’Eric is a dedicated hard-working student athlete who is really coming into his own as a leader of the team. His relentless attitude to win and push others is his motivation, and the team looks to him when they need inspiration. He is one of the captains for the team and the defense. Having to coach him has been a joy and I look forward to the great things to come this season.” — Calvin Arnold, football coach
Future Plans: Undecided
North Atlanta High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Jaelynn Wright
Sports: Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Flag Football, and Varsity Basketball
Grade: 12th
Accomplishments: Jaelynn is an accomplished three-sport varsity starter and letterwinner. She is a major contributor to North Atlanta’s volleyball, flag football, and basketball programs. Her coaches, teammates, and AAU coach consistently recognize her as one of the most dependable, unselfish, and team-oriented student-athletes with whom they have worked.
“Jaelynn is the type of student-athlete every coach wants in a program. She competes at a high level, supports her teammates, and consistently places the success of the team ahead of individual recognition.” — Andre Regan, Athletic Director
Future Plans: Jaelynn hopes to continue her volleyball career at the collegiate level, with Florida A&M University and Fort Valley State University among the schools she is considering.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Ranveer Sethi
Sports: Cross-Country and Track and Field
Grade: 12th
Accomplishments: Ranveer is a four-year varsity letterwinner in cross-country and track and field. He is a stellar student-athlete, a respected team leader, and a member of North Atlanta’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team. He consistently demonstrates commitment, discipline, and leadership both academically and athletically.
“Ranveer represents everything we want in a North Atlanta student-athlete. He leads through his actions, supports his teammates, and approaches academics and athletics with the same commitment to excellence.” — Andre Regan, Athletic Director
Future Plans: Ranveer hopes to continue competing in cross-country and track and field at Stanford University or Georgia Tech.
South Atlanta High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Zaleigha Jackson
Sports: Softball
Grade: 11th
August Accomplishments: home runs, several RBI’s
Coach quote: “Zaleigha has distinguished herself as an outstanding athlete and leader on the South Atlanta High School softball team. Throughout the season, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Defensively, she has been a game-changer, repeatedly throwing out runners and making key plays that have contributed to the team’s success. Offensively, she has shown tremendous power at the plate, hitting multiple home runs and serving as a dependable contributor in crucial moments. Her commitment, work ethic, and positive attitude make her a valuable asset to our athletic program and a deserving Student of the Month.” – coach Jasmine Ramey
Future Plans: Zaleigha plans to attend college and play either basketball, softball, or flag football at the next level.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Dylan Gunn
Sports: Cross Country
Grade: 10th
Coach quote: “Dylan is a consistent athlete who actively motivates his teammates, puts in extra work to support those around him, and regularly assists coaches during workouts. His positive attitude, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond make him a valuable member of the Cross Country program and a deserving recipient of this recognition.”- coach Brandon Hackney
Future Plans: Dylan does plan to attend college after graduation however he has not decided where he will attend.
D.M. Therrell High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Jahleea Jackson
Sports: Cross Country
Grade: 11th
August Accomplishments: Jahleea made an impressive debut in her first-ever cross country meet, posting a time of 25:19.94 and finishing in the Top 15.
Coach quote: “Jahleea is a natural runner with tremendous potential. In her very first season of cross country, she has already made an immediate impact through her hard work, determination, and competitive spirit. I am incredibly proud of her growth and dedication, and I believe this is just the beginning of what will be a very successful journey.”- coach Kilpatrick
Future Plans: Jahleea is committed to continuing her development as a runner and becoming the best athlete she can be. She is focused on improving with each race and has set a goal of qualifying for the GHSA State Cross Country Championships.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Daiveonte Franklin
Sports: Football
Grade: 12th
August Accomplishments: Daiveonte Franklin has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the team’s first two games this season. His toughness, vision, and ability to run effectively between the tackles have been instrumental in leading the Panthers to a 2-0 start. Daiveonte’s consistent performance and determination have set the tone for our offense and contributed significantly to the team’s early success.
Coach quote: “Daiveonte is a hard-working athlete whose toughness, vision, and commitment to the team make him a leader on and off the field. He has been a key factor in our strong start to the season.”- coach Jamison
Future Plans: Daiveonte plans to continue his academic and athletic career by playing football at the collegiate level while pursuing his educational goals.
Booker T. Washington High School
Girls Athlete of the Month: Zariah Stroud
Sports: Softball
Grade: 12th
Coach quote: “Zariah stands out as Athlete of the Month because she embodies the hard work, leadership, and competitive spirit that define our softball program. She shows up every day ready to work, pushes herself and her teammates beyond their comfort zones, and consistently models what it means to be a committed student athlete. Zariah’s awareness, intensity, and willingness to make the extra effort elevate everyone around her. Beyond her performance on the field, she leads with maturity, positivity, and a team-first mindset that strengthens our program both on and off the field. Her growth, grit, dedication, and commitment to excellence make Zariah truly deserve this recognition. She represents the standard we expect from our student athletes and is an outstanding example of what it means to be a Bulldog.” Derrick Avery, BTW athletic director
Future Plans: Zariah Stroud’s future plans are to attend college and pursue a degree in Business Management. She plans to build a career in real estate while continuing to compete at the collegiate level in flag football. Zariah is committed to achieving success both academically and athletically as she prepares for her future.
Boys Athlete of the Month: Keith Reid Jr.
Sports: Football
Grade: 9th
Coach quote: “Keith represents the discipline, dedication, and hard work that define our football program under first-year Head Coach Kenneth Miller. Keith shows up every day ready to work and consistently goes above and beyond, even beyond scheduled practice time. His awareness, intensity, and willingness to make extra play as a freshman have made a positive impact on those around him. Keith’s work ethic and commitment set an example for his teammates and demonstrate the type of effort and character that are helping build the foundation of our football program.” – Derrick Avery, BTW athletic director
Future Plans: Keith Reid’s future plans are to attend college, earn a degree, and build a successful career while continuing to grow as a student-athlete. He hopes to use his education and athletic experiences to create opportunities for himself, make a positive impact in his community, and, hopefully, continue playing football at the collegiate level.