Kentwood High School students are leaving a lasting legacy—one that’s now quite literally on the map.
Thanks to a student-led initiative in collaboration with the city of Covington, the street leading into the main entrance of Kentwood High School has officially been renamed “Conqueror Avenue,” a nod to the school’s long-standing mascot and community pride. The renaming marks the culmination of months of work, led by Kentwood ASB President Silas Coffee, who also serves on the Covington City Youth Council.
On June 17, the city of Covington held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new sign. Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner spoke commending Silas and the Covington youth council for their work and Superintendent Israel Vela also congratulated the students for their work to rename the street.
The idea originated last year in discussions among Kentwood’s leadership teachers, who thought the school’s street deserved a more personalized identity. When Silas brought the idea to the Covington Youth Council, it gained momentum quickly. From there, Silas and the Kentwood ASB team took the reins—developing a list of potential names and launching a student-wide poll. “Conqueror Avenue” was the clear winner.
“We are overjoyed that our ASB kids were able to pull this off,” said ASB Advisor Kayla Hanus. “Silas took this project head-on and did a really nice job. We are so excited that this project was able to be completed before our seniors graduated. We are so proud of them.”
The project is more than just a name change—it’s a powerful lesson in civic engagement and student voice. Silas presented the proposal to the Covington City Council in April, and the vote passed with enthusiasm.
“I learned that working with local government doesn’t have to be a long or intimidating process,” Silas shared. “The officials were excited to hear from a student, and they really wanted to help.”
Silas hopes the project inspires other students to take on leadership roles and community initiatives. His advice? “Don’t be afraid to speak in front of government officials. They’re people, just like us, and they want to hear what students have to say.”
The newly named Conqueror Avenue now stands as a symbol of Kentwood spirit, student leadership, and the power of partnership between schools and city government.