Irondequoit High School senior Aliyah Bozkurt was honored at Wednesday’s 30th Annual Dr. Michael C. O’Laughlin Outstanding Senior Recognition Dinner at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES. One outstanding senior from each high school in the Monroe County Council of School Superintendents area is chosen based on leadership and service as well as academic performance. Aliyah was joined at the dinner by our Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Johnson.

She has been ultra-active at IHS and key part of its student newspaper, Rodequoit, for the past four years, first as a reporter (freshman), then as Arts & Entertainment Editor (sophomore). The past two years, Aliyah has been Editor-in-Chief, and last fall Rodequoit was named Best Overall Newspaper in the state by the Empire State Scholastic Press Association. She won a handful of writing awards, too. Aliyah also is editor for Chickenscratch, the IHS Arts and Literary magazine. She is headed to Northwestern University to pursue a dual degree in Journalism and Education Social Policy.

“When I first met Aliyah (as a freshman), she was quiet, shy and humble but eager to learn. I remember a then-editor talking briefly with her. A simple nod after a brief moment was all she gave. The next day she came with a completed article and has never stopped,” Rodequoit Advisor and IHS Teacher, Joe Kunz, said. “From that moment on, Aliyah has been an integral part of the club and has given the paper a new voice when it needed it the most. I credit her enthusiasm, integrity, and selflessness for saving the club in a post-Covid world.”

Aliyah also has been a Student Representative to our Board of Education for two years, using her voice to advocate for her peers and programs. She is part of Student Council, National Honor Society and Tri-M (Music) Honor Society. She’s in the IHS Singing Group “Sweet Sixteen” and on Senator Samra Brouk’s Youth Mental Health Advisory Board.

Aliyah is the daughter of Deborah Layton and Ali Bozkurt. “I am thankful for the award,” Aliyah said, “and thankful for everyone who helped me get to this point, especially my teachers.”