Rhodes College first-year student Adaria Crutcher was one of six students nationwide recently honored by the Tommie Smith Youth Initiative at a gala held in Atlanta, GA. The initiative supports students in their educational pursuits and recognizes their efforts to serve their communities and to be advocates for youth, particularly in the areas of health and fitness.
While a student at White Station High School in Memphis, Crutcher co-founded StoryUnfinished, a platform to promote suicide awareness and support students struggling with their mental health and to encourage them to not let their story go unfinished or untold.
Crutcher has served as the social media manager with the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH) Youth Council, and for her work as a champion for youth in Memphis, she was presented the National Civil Rights Museum’s 2024 Keeper of the Dream Award.
Although Crutcher has not officially declared a major at Rhodes, she is interested in psychology. She also is a host for the Lynx to the Past podcast, producing segments exploring historical and cultural topics relevant to the Rhodes College community.