Christian Kynard Awarded MLK Scholarship

Central Catholic senior Christian Kynard was honored as a scholarship recipient at the 34th annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast on January 17.  The 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship award was presented by the Alpha Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. in recognition of high scholarship achievement and exemplary leadership.  Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and each year the fraternity gives out scholarships to young men who are pursuing higher education.  The fraternity has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships over the past 34 years to honor King’s service, leadership, and legacy.  The award includes an academic scholarship in the amount of $3,500.

At CCHS, Christian is involved in both academics and extracurricular activities.  He has been a member of the varsity golf team for four years and played JV basketball from 2022-24.  He is a two-year member of the National Honor Society, an Irish Ambassador, part of the IrishTHON core team, and a member of the African American Club and Sideline Spirit. 

Outside of school, Christian has been a caddy at Inverness Golf Club for two years.  He is a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and participated in fundraising efforts that helped raise over $960,000 toward cancer research and patient support.  He is a member of Worship Center of Toledo.

After high school, Christian plans to attend Morehouse College, where he will major in marketing and entrepreneurship.  “My long-term goal is to pursue a career as a medical device sales representative, combining my interest in business, communication, and service to help improve people’s lives,” he said.  “I hope to use my education to build meaningful relationships, create opportunities for others, and give back to my community.”

Receiving this scholarship means more than just financial assistance to Christian.  “This is a reminder that my hard work, leadership, and commitment to service are being recognized,” he explained.  “It motivates me to continue striving for excellence academically and personally, while easing the financial burden on my family as I pursue higher education.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires me through his commitment to leadership, service, and uplifting others through education and action.  He believed that success is not measured by personal gain, but by how you serve others.  I plan to honor his legacy by continuing to lead with integrity, giving back to my community, and using my education to create opportunities for those around me.  I plan to apply these values throughout college and my career, ensuring that my success also contributes to positive change.”