For Kenneth Rakes, leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about impact. A senior at Ross High School, Kenneth has spent his high school career balancing academics, community service, and leadership roles that have made a difference in the lives of others. Now, as one of Ohio’s five nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career Technical Education (CTE), his hard work and dedication are being recognized on a national level.
Ranked #1 in his class with a 4.967 GPA and a 35 ACT superscore, Kenneth has demonstrated academic excellence while also thriving as a student leader. His journey into business and community service was not initially planned. He was placed in a marketing class due to a scheduling conflict, but that twist of fate led him to DECA, a career technical student organization designed to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, where he quickly discovered his passion. “From there, I met people in DECA who encouraged me to join JEE Foods, and it all grew from there,” Kenneth recalls.
Kenneth’s role as Butler County Coordinator for JEE Foods, a student-led nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste and combating hunger, has been a defining part of his high school experience. What started as volunteer work turned into a passion project, leading to the development of a mobile market—a food pantry on wheels designed to reach individuals who lack transportation.
“We noticed that a lot of people don’t have access to food pantries because they can’t get there,” Kenneth explains. “So, we came up with the idea to take food directly to them.” Under his leadership, JEE Foods has now saved over 11 million pounds of food from going to waste, expanded its network to over 100 nonprofits, and hosted community distributions serving thousands of families.
Kenneth has personally contributed over 500 volunteer hours, secured more than $75,000 in grant funding, and helped expand the organization’s reach by 180%. His ability to merge business strategy with social impact is what makes him stand out as both a scholar and a leader.
In addition to his work with JEE Foods, Kenneth is an accomplished DECA competitor and serves as the Vice President of Finance for his chapter. He is a two-time state champion and an international qualifier at the Ohio DECA Career Development Conference. His DECA projects often align with his JEE Foods work, using business strategies to fuel real-world solutions.
“DECA has given me confidence and refined my public speaking skills,” Kenneth shares. “If you told me in eighth grade that I’d be talking to news sources, leading organizations, and competing at an international level, I wouldn’t have believed you. I was really shy, but DECA and JEE Foods pushed me to step outside my comfort zone.”
Beyond his academic and extracurricular achievements, Kenneth has also had to take on significant responsibilities at home. With both of his parents working third shifts, Kenneth stepped up as a caregiver for his younger siblings.
“I’ve had to make sure they eat, finish their homework, get to bed, and wake up for school,” he explains. “It’s taught me a lot about responsibility—not just for myself, but for others.”
Despite his demanding schedule, Kenneth has also been a dedicated athlete, competing in cross country and track. Leading his team in warm-ups and pushing teammates to their limits, he’s developed a deep understanding of teamwork, perseverance, and motivation.
After high school, Kenneth plans to double major in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration—two fields that reflect his passion for science and leadership. His top college choices include the University of Michigan and West Point, with decisions expected in the coming months.
When asked what motivates him, Kenneth’s response is clear: “I just want to be the best version of myself and reach my full potential. My biggest fear is not doing what I know I’m capable of.”
Kenneth encourages younger students to take chances and embrace new opportunities. “I was hesitant about joining DECA and JEE Foods at first, but once I did, I realized how much I loved it. My advice? Take the chance. The worst thing that can happen is you try something new and decide it’s not for you—but the best thing is that it could change your life.”