Gwinnett County student gets national leadership award
A Gwinnett County high school student was a recipient last week of an inaugural national honor for his leadership efforts.
Brookwood High School student Matthew Lescota was selected to be the student from Georgia to receive a Billy Michal Student Leadership Award. The awards, handed out for the first time, were given to Lescota and others during the American Spirit Awards, held in New Orleans at the National World War II Museum.
Lescota was commended by his teachers for several leadership efforts, including starting a clothing line called “PURE Clothing Brand” that encourages young people to be true to themselves.
“The message Matthew promotes though his business should say a lot about Matthew’s personal morals and values. While very driven, he is well-poised and professional in all situations,” Cindy Quinlan, a teacher in Brookwood’s Career and Technical Education program, wrote in a nomination letter of Lescota.
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He currently writes about higher education and has assisted in the newsroom’s COVID-19 vaccine coverage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
