Shayla Maatuka '03 made a promise to her grandma that she would try to get her uncle out of jail. When he died in prison, her determination to do good never wavered. Since receiving a law degree, she has continued working for the community and doing the most good she can, all while mentoring the next generation and helping others around her. Her humble commitment was recently recognized with the 2023 Athena Leadership Award by the Executive Club of Champaign County.
Read more about the honor and Maatuka's life in the News-Gazette's profile