It has been an absolute pleasure to have known Akilah since she was a small child. I first met Akilah while she was a student at Northwest Tap Connection. At one point I began giving her private instruction to supplement her dance training. Akilah worked extremely hard at perfecting her tap dancing skills and always gave her best effort in our lessons. She has always been a remarkable young person and I have recognized her extraordinary inner light since the day I met her. Akilah is very dedicated to all of her various activities. She continues to show an aptitude for success and puts forth extra effort to achieve in everything she does. Akilah has demonstrated some of the most admirable qualities you would expect from a young person. She is extremely committed to her community and goes above and beyond to be a positive force for those around her. I have been most elated to learn about all of her many accolades along her Taekwondo journey. Through her martial arts, Akilah has excelled and become a rising star in her respective discipline. Her ability to forge a lane for herself and dissolve both athletic and cultural barriers speaks to her level of resilience and confidence. Akilah is a wonderful reflection of her village and I am beaming with pride to bear witness to her excellence.