Dayton Students Earn International and Local Honors
Two local high school students are recognized for recent achievements in martial arts and artistic design.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Secondary Education
In October 2026, Dayton students Salayah McClendon and Junior Avila achieved notable success in international competition and local scholarship programs. These accomplishments highlight student talent from Stivers School for the Arts and Belmont High School.
Why it matters
These awards demonstrate the extracurricular success of Dayton youth on both global and community stages. Recognizing these students underscores the value of local support for athletic and creative pursuits.
Salayah McClendon secured two gold medals and one bronze medal while representing Team USA at a world martial arts tournament. Junior Avila earned a $1,000 scholarship through his winning design in the 2026 Golden Arches Mural Program.
The players
Salayah McClendon
She is a student at Stivers School for the Arts who trains at Twin Dragons Mindful Martial Arts.
Junior Avila
He is a student at Belmont High School who won a scholarship for his mural design.
The details
Salayah McClendon, who trains at Twin Dragons Mindful Martial Arts, brought home international hardware from a tournament held in Austria. Meanwhile, Belmont High School student Junior Avila saw his mural design selected by a panel for display at the local Smithville Road McDonald's.
Timeline
Junior Avila won the 2026 Golden Arches Mural Program in 2026.
Salayah and K'ana McClendon plan to compete in Barcelona in 2027.
Culture Shift
The 2026 Golden Arches Mural Program reflects a broader trend of corporate entities integrating community art into local retail environments. By offering scholarships for these designs, businesses are increasingly formalizing their role in supporting secondary education arts.
Dayton residents can view Junior Avila's mural design by visiting the McDonald's located on Smithville Road. Students interested in similar opportunities can monitor future cycles of corporate-sponsored art and athletic programs.
The takeaway
Student successes like these illustrate the impact of dedicated training and community-based creative opportunities. Encouraging youth participation in global and local programs provides pathways for both professional development and personal growth.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic and extracurricular achievements in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKEF.
