Congratulations Explorers!

The seniors of the Merze Tate Explorers were named top honorees in the recent Metropolitan Kalamazoo NAACP annual awards ceremony. The students were recognized for their contributions to the community through the Dr. Charles Warfield Youth Community Service Award. The annual NAACP event highlights the work of African Americans in the city as well as local students. Explorer Syann Hollins received First Place and the $500 cash prize. Maya Daniels received Second Place, and Kalea Barnes, Shemaiah Lawler, and Sierra Ward all received Honorable Mentions!

Syann Hollins is a native of Kalamazoo and a senior at Gull Lake High School. Her goal is to pursue a career in the medical field. She believes that as an African American in the health field, she can provide attention to patients often overlooked or ignored through systemic racism. She is inspired by the quote: 

“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” 

– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Syann’s involvement in everything from sports to Girls Scouts and the Merze Tate Explorers has strengthened her in the areas of leadership and teamwork. As a student at Gull Lake High School she is an honor roll student, a “Big Sister” in the school’s Big Brother Big Sister program, and two-time state qualifier for DECA. Her participation in the school’s Environmental club allowed her to take a lead role in the formation of hydroponics and a movement toward metal and reusable straws in school to eliminate waste. Throughout high school, Syann has been a member of Volunteens and the Welcoming Committee where she serves as a mentor for new and foreign exchange students. In addition, she participates on the competitive cheer team, pole vault and hurdles in track and field, Student Senate, as vice president of the National Spanish Honor Society, and as a manager of the school store. Her work on the school newspaper led to her winning first place in the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association’s High School division. In addition to her school commitments, she has a part time job at Jimmy Johns. 

An opportunity to participate in the WMU Stryker School of Medicine Pipeline to Success Medical Careers program changed Syann’s life. Her passion for a career in the medical field was brought to life through this program and the hands-on opportunities to perform case studies and dissect a sheep’s heart. Through that, she was inspired to pursue a career in cardiovascular surgery by Dr. Cheryl Dickson and Regina Stevens-Truss; both local  African American women in the medical field.

Syann’s extracurricular activities outside of school include the Merze Tate Explorers where she currently is vice president of the Youth Council. As a member of the Explorers she has created multimedia projects, earned college credits through Kalamazoo Valley Community College and studied abroad in Europe. The highlight of her travels was the opportunity to serve as a youth delegate with the Kalamazoo/Numazu Sister City Exchange in Japan. For the past five years she has participated in Girl Scouts under the leadership of Cherise Ward where she has earned the prestigious Silver award. She is currently in the process of completing her Gold Award, the highest achievement for a Girl Scout. Her project is in partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Museum to preserve the archives of local historian Murphy Darden. 

Additional involvement in youth-centered programs include the Kalamazoo Metropolitan NAACP’s ACT-SO competition where she earned a Bronze medal for her essay and Silver medal for photography. As a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, she is a founding member of the revived youth usher board and a praise team participant. 

Syann is the daughter of Sean and Sonya Hollins and has three siblings, Edward Callahan, Shamiel and Sasha Hollins, and a dog, Max. 

She is ready to face her next big challenge in life head-on, and with the help of God and her family discover amazing new things about herself!