West Contra Costa Unified School District
African American Students of Honor Ceremony
Tuesday, May 27, 2014 ● 6:30— 8:00 p.m. Craneway Pavilion 1414 Harbour Way South ● Richmond, CA
PROGRAM Music………………………………………..
Kennedy High School Rock Band Under the direction of Margareta Billin
Processional………………………………...
Aspiring Students and Students of Honor
Mistress of Ceremony…………………….
Christie Smith, NBC Bay Area
Musical Selection…………………………...
Lift Every Voice and Sing!
Welcome…………………………………...…
Dr. Bruce Harter-Superintendent Mrs. Elaine Merriweather-Board Member
Musical Selection………………………..…
Non Nobis Domine and Mambol Italiano By the De Anza High School Concert Choir Under the direction of Mr. Kenneth Caton
Recognition of Aspiring Students………
Selina Jackson, MA
Recognition of Students of Honor……...
Richmond High School Family Pinole Valley High School Family Hercules High School Family
Special Appearance……………………..…
Sydney Nycole
Recognition of Students of Honor……...
John F. Kennedy Family DeAnza High School Family El Cerrito High School Family
Student Recognitions……………………….
Students with 4.0 or higher GPA 4Richmond Scholarship Recipients
Refreshments……………………....……….
Provided by WCCUSD Food Services
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Mistress of Ceremony Christie Smith
Christie Smith reports weekdays for Today in the Bay, NBC Bay Area’s morning news program. Christie joined NBC Bay Area News in 2001 and worked in the East Bay at night for several years before joining the morning news team. At 2:30 in the morning. That is the answer to the question that she is asked most often. "What time do you get up?" She appears on air from 4:30 am to 7 am and then again at 11 am. A Berkeley native, Christie began her on-camera news career as an anchor/reporter in Medford, Oregon. From Medford, Christie moved to KCRA-TV in Sacramento and worked as a reporter for three years. She covered national stories like the Yosemite Sightseer Murders and a tragic school shooting just outside of San Diego. There were also stops in Monterey at KCCN-TV and Chicago at WFLD-TV as a news writer and producer. Christie is an Emmy Award winning journalist. She is a graduate of Berkeley High School. She earned a BA in English from UC Davis and an MSJ (in journalism) from Northwestern University at the Medill School of Journalism. In 2002, Christie had the opportunity to cover the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. "That was incredible, seeing people from different countries and hearing all the interesting languages." Christie has a large extended family in the Bay Area. She lives in the East Bay with her husband, two sons (who attend WCCUSD), and a rescue dog, Sydney, who just won't listen.
Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Black National Anthem) Lift Every Voice and Sing" — sometimes referred to as "The Negro National Hymn" or "The Black National Anthem"— is a song written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) in 1899 and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954) in 1900. History "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was publicly performed first as a poem as part of a celebration of Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, 1900, by 500 school children at the segregated Stanton School. Its principal, James Weldon Johnson, wrote the words to introduce its honored guest Booker T. Washington. Lyrics Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
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RECOGNITION OF ASPIRE STUDENTS These students are being recognized for their academic achievement. Grades 3‐6 Aspiring Students scored Procient in RLA and Math within 25 points of Advanced in the Cali‐ fornia Standards Tests. Grades 7‐12 Aspiring Students earned a cumula�ve grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher in all academic areas, with no grade lower than a C, and scored Procient in RLA and Math in the CST and have passed the CAHSEE if they are 11th and 12th grade students.
RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Chavez Elementary Ynobe Alex Mario Lincoln Yolajah Reed Ansar Timmons Lake Elementary Jaya Dean Peres Elementary Des�ni Barnes Laron Douglas JaNiyah Garne� Elijiah Gordon Arianna Gu�errez Natajahnay Hutson Laneja Roberson Cinseire Washington Verde Elementary DeMelle Cooley Richmond High School Kalanna Latonya Naquin PINOLE HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Collins Elementary Teshanae Benne� Chauncey Hill Torrance Williams
Ellerhorst Elementary Devin Jules Ineza Lopes Nolan Obinyan Montalvin Elementary Angel Jenkins Robby Kincaid Shannon Elementary Makayla Jenkins Gregory Nwosibe Stewart K‐8 School George Boateng Myles Ford Jalin Wiggins Malachi Young Tara Hills Elementary Raymond Bailey Alexandria Jenkins Douglas McKinney Heaven Rehart Kayla Stewart HERCULES HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Hanna Ranch Elementary Brendan Dudley Brooklynn Hall Tori Hart Marlon Robinson Carter Smith Craney Hercules High School Tatyana Bivens
Hercules Middle School Brian Vines Lupine Hills Elementary Brianna Anderson Jayden Smith JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL FAMILY Coronado Elementaqry Aaniah Bonner Chris�an Foy Darian McNeally Johron Moore Makhai Porter Jabaurri Webster Ford Elementary Aaliyah Tro�er Grant Elementary Nasir Owens Kennedy High School Quelane Levi Ariana Rhodes Victoria Sims Shown�anee Stewart Jaylan Walker Lorraine Williams King Elementary Kenny Roberts Lanjanae Thomas
Lincoln Elementary Leeah Mae Jackson Ivory Lo�on Monica Mason Janice Short Keoni Temple Mariah Vaughn Samuel Williams Nahom Workneh Mira Vista Elementary Chloe Canada James Fleetwood Andrew Hill Tzadiq Levi Yaniece Walker Nystrom Elementary Davon King Keira Legge� Wilson Elementary Mitch Ganaway Alexa Kouame DE ANZA HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Bayview Elementary Jada Brown Elizabeth Hargrove Charnell Sa�erwhite Crespi Middle School Kailah Thomas Highland Elementary Alijah Andrews Veter Baker Kamryn Daniels Xavier Green Ronald Huey Shale Lakhan Kayla Singleton Kadira Wilkins Murphy Elementary Chekwumechuk Ashiedu Anthony Canton Ubong Abasi E�m
Olinda Elementary Wayne Bailey Soliana Delelu Khari Johnson Marianna Love Sheldon Elementary Jaynin Barrow Maleayah Benjamin Amaree Mar�n Kylan Pa�erson Britnee Stephen Corina Tanner Jayden White Valley View Elementary Ayana DAlessio Geovanna Voto Bernales EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Fairmont Elementary Airicka Hill Arielle Jackson Maiyah LaMar Kensington Elementary Sophia Bartley Naomi Doherty Del Jordan Madera Elementary Makenna Dean Nia Sabry Washington Elementary Cassidy Clark Rayna Landry Malaysha Williams
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RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS OF HONOR These students are being recognized for their academic achievement. Grades 3‐6 Students of Honor scored Advanced in RLA and Math in the California Standards Tests. Grades 7‐12 Students of Honor earned a cumula�ve grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in all academic areas with no grade lower than a C, and scored Procient in RLA and Math in the CST and have passed the CAHSEE if they are 11th and 12th grade students.
RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Helms Middle School Biradater Adarkwah Samone Anderson Mailan Carr NiJzeL Dotson Ashanea Green Compton Daeja Irwin Anthony Lewis Esonia Morgan Kepa Danta Reed Rosalinda Robinson Gia Taylor Richmond High School Sherria Rice Downer Elementary Dante Moore Lake Elementary Hawi Abraham Tenayah Crocke� Peres Elementary Maciyah Brown Jaelah Flagg Corinne Fuller Paris Levere� Jeweldari Mayweather Nacarre Turner Aiyana Wilker
Verde Elementary Myrionna Crenshaw Kaaliyah Fluker Elohiym Mudaavanha PINOLE HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Pinole Middle School Adesuwa Aigbuza Maame Ama Baah Arhin Khailah Ayroso‐Lunamcgee Jennifer Chinwuba LaLoni Dunn Armani Foster Jada Johnson Janet Ngallo Myra Nwosibe Kamillah Pollard James Williams Collins Elementary Jiell Flowers Jaylin Kent John Robinson Montalvin Elementary Imun�nyan Aigbuza Cameron Moses Camille Rhodes
Pinole High School Chris�ne Chinwuba Malachi Gonzales Deja Leach Kimberly Wilkerson Shannon Elementary Joseph Nwosibe Tara Hills Elementary Anait Aliaga Anita Chinwuba Stewart K‐8 School Fabeah Boateng Serena Bradford Jayden Brandy Amanda Coleman Myron Gas�le Paloma Wood
HERCULES HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Hercules Middle School Joanah Ajayi Mia Balabanis Monet Cooper Chyna Ellis Nathaniel Issayas Nathan Kesete Xavier Ma�hews Kennadi Roper Julius Shepherd Fela Williams Hanna Ranch Elementary Kamiryn Braxton Grimes Kenneth Carthen Jackson Goudeau Tanner Goudeau Sanai Martens Kael McKenzie Dajante Mitchell Jasmine Turner Yokabed Yonas Lupine Hills Elementary Amber Anderson Meron Fikru Irish Folds Dawit Tadesse Hercules High School Chris�an Abraham Tairi Buchanan Randi Dean Johanna Hadgu Marissa Lumsey Chidube Mekkam Ijeoma Mekkam Chidera Nwadike Lourdes Onwuemeka Elsie Melody Tape
Middle College High School Kwame Baah Arhin Cynthia Ezeokoli Isaiah Green Saba Haile Sa Henson Ayana Hill Dennis Hill Jared Long Brian Moore Christopher Moore Brandon Price Dylan Ro�ch Andrea Webb Kalyn Williams JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL FAMILY DeJean Middle School Danasia Allison Royale Davis Elyssa Morris Nikole Slaton Sylvester Wiggins Kennedy High School Khalil Milton Coronado Elementary Malakhi DeMoss Jordan Muturi Ford Elementary Bria Madison King Elementary Cydni Harris Mariana Taylor Or�z Lincoln Elementary Jacqueline Daniels SaRyah McCord 8
Hitarjanae Smith Julian Smith Mira Vista Elementary Kyra Abrams Sanai Henderson Malala Tiana Pyle Nystrom Elementary Jc Gill Jordan Thomas Wilson Elementary Joseph Alvarez Layla Brown Israel Douglas Taylor Robinson Jermaine Terry Angel Weaver DE ANZA HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Crespi Middle School Aaron Burton Pashance Davis D Andrea Farrell Taisia Fleming Alycia Flowers Sharon Jackson Khiari Neal Bemister Tessema Bailey Ward Mykela Warren Yahna Williamson Highland Elementary Laweryn Henderson Hailey Lewis Darren Robinson Keli i Salvador
Murphy Elementary Dakota Harris Daevaughn Lucas Olinda Elementary Weldon Miles Reyna Taylor Sarah Tesfaye Kelaya Young Sheldon Elementary Evangela Ahenguah Charles Davis Marium Emmons Meliyah King Lankford Griffi Valley View Elementary Jaylen Brown Taliya Gosse� Salahudeen Samir Jacob Nailah Smith Giuliana Voto Bernales Asha Walker De Anza High School Keomi Barksdale Tierra Bright Ellice Chess EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY Portola Middle School Chandani Ba�le Ajani Braggs Sara Coleman Ama Dadzie Josephine Ough Karl Sierte Athena Whitney
Fairmont Elementary Jelani Adams Nana Dadzie Des�nee McDaniel Cash Stokley Sione Vuki Harding Elementary Nana Yansane Madera Elementary Alexis Burens�ne Benjamin Bustos Tristan Bustos Caden Co�on Blake Kira Denson Azusa James Bianca Pagel Kensington Elementary Josephine Flood Celia Lenear Ondieki Maina Miles Turman Cullen Wilkerson Stege Elementary Sheila Kariuki Washington Elementary Atallah Allen Ari Alleyne Bella Chavez Jackson Karl Collins Alana Davis An�one Finley Selena Hairston Amitra Kellogg Isaiah Landry Savannah Qualls Monsieur Roberts Xavier Simmons
El Cerrito High School Oyinkansola AJayi Xavia Andrews Keara Bailey William Bell Samantha Burnell Dziga Djugba KeLa Jones Kenyon Mason Alexis Miller Sydney Nobles Monica Ramsey Leah Seyoum Janele Thomas Neziah Whitson Ciara Wilson Sekou Yansane
RECOGNITION OF 4.0 STUDENTS These students are being recognized for their academic achievement. They represent WCCUSD Middle and High School African American Students with a grade point average of 4.0 in all academic subject areas through the third quarter of 2013‐2014.
Crespi Middle School Taisia Fleming Bemister Tessema Bailey Ward Yahna Williamson
DeJean Middle School Elyssa Morris
De Anza High School Ellice Chess
El Cerrito High School Samantha Burnell Alexis Miller Leah Seyoum Ciara Wilson
Helms Middle School Biradater Adarkwah NiJzeL Dotson
Hercules High School Chris�an Abraham Chidera Nwadike
Hercules Middle School Mia Balabanis Chyna Ellis Fela Williams
Mira Vista Elementary Kyra Abrams
Pinole Middle School Maame Ama Baah LaLoni Dunn Jada Johnson
Portola Middle School Karl Sierte
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. Booker T. Washington
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Juneteenth Parade WCCUSD African American Scholars June 28, 2014 Dear Parents/Guardians, Congratulations to all Students of Honor and Aspire Students! The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), The Neighborhood Block Association (NBA), Chevron and the City of Richmond would like to invite you and your child to participate in the Juneteenth Parade as part of the WCCUSD- African American Scholars Delegation on Saturday, June 28th, 2014. The scholars will walk in the parade that starts on Marina Way and Cutting Blvd in Richmond. You and your family are also welcome to join us at the Juneteenth Festival following the Parade at Nicholl Park. A letter and phone reminder will be sent to you as the date approaches, we hope you can join us. For more information on the day’s events please visit www.richmondcajuneteenth.org.
History of Juneteenth Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS West Contra Costa USD Board Charles T. Ramsey‐ President Todd A. Groves‐ Clerk Randall Enos Madeline Kronenberg Elaine R. Merriweather
Honorary Commi�ee
Bob Evans‐ De Anza High School Principal Antoine�e Henry–Evans‐ Execu�ve Director, Rtd. Latressa Alford‐ Congressman George Miller’s Office Sonja Neely‐Johnson‐ WCCUSD Ed. Services Coordinator
United Teachers of Richmond Richmond Associates of School Administrators 4Richmond
Event Co‐Sponsor
Na�onal Pan‐Hellenic Council San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Administra�ve Staff
Dr. Bruce Harter, Superintendent Wendell Greer, Associate Superintendent of K‐12 Opera�ons Marin Trujillo, Community Engagement Coordinator
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