COMMUNITY
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INSIDE
Patricia Reid and former husband Tony Pope have less to smile about now that a judge has ordered them back to jail to finish out their sentences. A3
Decatur will get to experience good food, music and flaaashy costumes when Caribbean Carnival comes to town. A5
Our annual Graduation Section salutes the more than 6,000 seniors expected to graduate from DeKalb Schools this year. Section B
Back in the slammer
Party like you mean it
The journey continues
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright © 2015 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
May 16, 2015
www.crossroadsnews.com
Volume 21, Number 3
Campaign to fill May’s District 5 seat heating up already By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Qualifying opens Monday for the June 16 special election to fill the DeKalb Commission District 5 seat that has been vacant for 21 months. Candidates can qualify between 9 a.m. on May 18 and 4:30 p.m. on May 20 at the DeKalb Elections Office on Memorial Drive in Decatur. The election to fill the unexpired term of Lee May is attracting a lot of interest. So far, five people – three lawyers, a businessman and a poet – have said they will run for the open seat.
May, the former District 5 commissioner, was appointed DeKalb’s interim CEO in July 2013. He resigned the commission seat on May 6, clearing the way for the special election. Johnson, who has lived in DeKalb for 35 years, said there is a lot of turmoil going on in the county that she loves. “I feel like I can make a difference,” she Mereda Johnson Vaughn Irons Gina Mangham Harmel Codi Gwen Green said. Attorney Mereda Davis Johnson, wife Johnson said that if elected, the first thing On Wednesday, Harmel Codi, who has of U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson; APD Solutions a law degree and an M.B.A., announced she would do is listen to the citizens. founder and CEO Vaughn Irons; and Litho“The Fifth District has been two years her candidacy, and on Thursday, poet and nia community advocate and attorney Gina essayist Gwen Russell Green said she also is Mangham were early out of the gate. Please see SEAT, page A2 running for the seat.
Tubman Museum
Bigger space to showcase black art, culture
1 finalist in search for school chief By Ken Watts
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Tubman Museum curator Jeff Bruce discusses a multimedia sculpture made primarily of soda bottle caps. The piece, by the late well-known Mr. Imagination, is on display in the museum’s Rotunda Sculpture Gallery. See story, Page A2.
DeKalb’s new school superintendent will be Dr. R. Stephen Green, currently the Kansas City, Mo., school superintendent. Green was the lone finalist picked by the DeKalb School Board to lead the district. His selection culminates a five-month search for a successor to Superintendent Michael Thurmond, who is leaving the school system in June. School Board Chair Melvin Johnson said on May 13 that Green is an “experienced and wellsuited” educational leader R. Stephen Green needed in DeKalb. “He brings an impressive track record to the district,” Johnson said at a news conference in the School Board meeting room in Stone Mountain. “He has demonstrated innovative approaches to teaching and learning and moving student achievement forward.” Board members started their search with 120 candidates. The list was whittled to eight semifinalists on May 1. Green was picked from three finalists on May 11. He is leaving Kansas City after four years. He took over a district in disarray in August 2011, according to the Kansas City Star. Green led Kansas City as it was declared unaccredited by the state in January 2012, and then regained provisional accreditation in August 2014. His impending departure comes as a surprise for the district, which is “enjoying stability not seen for decades,” the newspaper said. Deborah Jones, president of the DeKalb Organization of Educators who attended the news conference, said she is encouraged by Please see GREEN, page A3
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Community
CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
The county kicked off its second annual “Pothole Palooza” intensive road infrastructure improvement campaign on April 1.
Museum hosts large collection of African-American art, culture By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
A new 49,000-square-foot Tubman Museum will open in Macon on May 16. The museum, which houses the Southeast’s largest collection of AfricanAmerican art, history and culture, is located in the heart of downtown Macon in the Cherry Street Plaza. Named for Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman, the museum’s exhibits include Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People, Black Artists of Georgia, and The History of the Dream featuring artist Wini McQueen. From its doors that are the color of edo clay from Nigeria to its copper dome, the museum celebrates the creativity of African-Americans. Exhibits include paintings, carvings, and multimedia sculptures. The new building replaces the museum’s first home, about a mile away. Curator Jeff Bruce said the larger space means they can accommodate more exhibits and host schools and other groups for workshops. Tubman Museum was founded in 1981 by Richard Keil, a retired priest. Dr. Andy Ambrose, the museum’s executive director, said they are happy to share the museum’s collection with art and history buffs from across the Southeast. “Our collections warrant a world-class space to showcase these phenomenal artists and their pieces,” he said. “We have so many stories that have gone untold because we didn’t have the square footage to share them.” Museum hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, visit www.tubmanmuseum. Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews Workers hang a quilt created by artist Wini McQueen for display in the new Tubman Museum in downtown Macon. com or call 478-743-8544.
Likely candidates point to experience, vision and willingness to work SEAT,
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without representation,” she said Tuesday. “It’s been two years that the people have not had a representative to voice their concerns.” Johnson said that there has to be dialogue among commissioners and the CEO. “If you are not talking, you cannot move the county forward,” she said. “You can agree to disagree, but you have to listen to one another. And sometimes you have to compromise for the better good and bring people together to move this county forward. I feel that I can do that.” Mangham, a 20-year DeKalb resident, said she is running to serve the citizens. She was a finalist to be appointed as an interim District 5 commissioner but failed to get enough support on the BOC. “We need some new leadership and a dif-
ferent skill set on the board,” she said. “This is a legislative body. I am interested to write legislation to move the county forward.” Mangham, who helped fight off a proposed biomass facility and a composting plant in Lithonia, said the county needs to be proactive instead of reactive. She said she would like to see legislation that discourages environmentally dangerous development in the county’s industrial parks. Mangham said she has the demonstrated commitment and the skill set to represent the district. “I have been staunchly committed to the district for the last 20 years,” she said. “I hope the residents will look at who has been out there for more than 20 years.” Irons, a 20-year county resident and chair of the county’s Development Authority, said he is running to bring something new and different to the county.
“I want to bring a business mind-set to the county,” he said. “People are spending time on small silly things and are not having a vision to move District 5 forward.” He has lived in District 5 for nine years and says he wants it restored to the place it was when he moved there. “We need to be rolling up our sleeves and creating a new vision,” he said. On May 9, Irons bulk-mailed Mother’s Day greetings to District 5 residents, three days after May announced his resignation. Irons said he had no prior knowledge of May’s resignation. “It was divine providence and blessings of God,” he said. “I was planning to run for the seat in 2016 and just wanted to get my name out there to the women in the district.” Codi, a 15-year District 5 resident, is a former county employee and mortgage banker. She currently owns Codi and As-
sociates Business Solutions LLC, a business development partnership that helps small businesses to grow, maintain and increase their values and profits. In July 2014, she was among 20 residents who sought the appointment to be District 5’s interim commissioner. Codi says she wants to restore honesty, trust and integrity in the county and will bring a fresh perspective to county leadership. Russell Green, a longtime resident of DeKalb, was unavailable at press time Thursday to say why she is running for the seat. The qualifying fee for the special election is $1,151.24. The last day to register to vote in the special election is May 18. On election day, the polls in District 5 will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If a runoff is required, it will be held on July 14. The DeKalb Elections office is at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur.
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Community
“We have always been proactive about putting the needs of our residents first.”
Tie-breaker vote releases $39.4 million for infrastructure projects DeKalb interim CEO Lee May cast the tie-breaking vote on $39.4 million infrastructure projects. He joined Commissioners Larry Johnson, Sharon Barnes Sutton and Stan Watson in reallocating bond funding for sidewalks, library, green space and parks projects. May said that with the vote, DeKalb can utilize dedicated funding already in place for the projects. Recreation and Parks projects inLee May clude: n $6.5 million for a new Tobie Grant recreation center. n $3.5 million for deferred maintenance of existing Recreation and Parks buildings. n $2.8 million toward the $10 million total acquisition cost of the property near Briar Lake Park.
n $800,000 for development of Ellenwood Park.
Library projects: n $4.3 million for the Brookhaven Community Library. n $4.2 million for the Ellenwood Community Library. n $3.3 million for a new Stone Mountain Library. n $850,000 to complete the Central Annex Library facility. Transportation projects: n $4 million for road resurfacing throughout DeKalb County (reaffirmed from the April 28 BOC meeting). n $600,000 for a sidewalk on Glenwood Road from Candler Road to Columbia Road. n $150,000 for a sidewalk on Rockbridge Road from Ridge Road to Wade Walker Park. n $150,000 for a traffic signal and sidewalk on Shell Bark Road.
n $100,000 for a sidewalk on Idlewood Road from Tucker Middle School to Lawrenceville Highway. n $100,000 for a sidewalk on Briarcliff Road from Clifton Road to LaVista Road. Johnson, the BOC’s presiding officer, called the vote “an opportunity to improve the quality of life all over DeKalb County.” “We have always been proactive about putting the needs of our residents first, and the funding of these critical projects is another example of that,” he said in a May 13 statement. Watson said he was “elated” to move forward on road, sidewalk and transportation projects in every district across DeKalb, while Barnes Sutton said she was “especially proud” of the new Tobie Grant rec center in Scottdale and the brandnew library in Stone Mountain that has been needed for a long time.
Reid, Pope sent back to finish serving time in corruption case By Jennifer Ffrench-Parker
Patricia Reid and her ex-husband Tony Pope are back in prison. The two were re-arrested after Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams issued a May 12 Arrest Warrant for termination of Bond. The co-defendants, who were sentenced on Dec. 9, 2013 had served nearly a year in prison for racketeering in the DeKalb School System’s construction program when former Superior Court Judge C.J. Becker overturned their convictions and ordered new trials for them on Oct. 27, 2014.
Lithonia to discuss housing proposal Lithonia stakeholders can learn more about a proposed housing development for the Lithonia Plaza on May 18 at City Hall. Wendover Housing Partners will host the 6-to-7 p.m. public meeting to share information about the proposal, “Granite Crossing,” a family apartment community.
The project will consist of 75 units with one, two and three bedrooms and is the first of several phases to redevelop the plaza with mixed use that includes housing, retail and green space. City Hall is 6920 Main St. For more information, call 770-482-8136.
‘Pothole Palooza’ celebrates road repairs DeKalb’s Roads & Drainage Division has repaired more than 1,500 potholes since the year started and almost 700 in April. The county kicked off its second annual “Pothole Palooza” intensive road infrastructure improvement campaign on April 1 in celebration of National County Government Month.
Patricia Pope (far left) and Tony Pope were all smiles when they were released from prison on Dec. 3, but the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled their release was improper.
Becker resigned and left the bench in March. They were released from prison on Dec. 3. Reid was serving 15 years for funnelling $1.4 million school contracts to Pope, an architect, when she was the DeKalb School System’s chief operating officer and he was her husband. Pope was serving 8 years. In a March 18 order, the Georgia Court of Appeals overturned Becker’s order granting them a new trial. They were removed from court in handcuffs on Tuesday.
Despite rain delays in mid-April, crews are still hard at work into May with the effort. The monthlong celebration raises public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government. This year’s theme was “Counties Moving Forward: Transportation and Infrastructure.” To report a pothole, call 404-297-3813.
BRAIN HEALTH FORUM Please join us for...
YOUR BRAIN’S HEALTH:
A Forum on Caregiving and Aging Successfully Free educational forum, resource fair and memory screening event with experts from Emory, the Alzheimer’s Association, the VA and the Atlanta Regional Commission. This forum is for everyone and includes door prizes and free CEUs.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 • 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Register online at www.antiochcaregiving.eventbrite.com or call 404-727-3251
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K.C.’s situation similar to DeKalb GREEN,
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Green’s record in Kansas City. “It looks like he’s going to be a good fit for DeKalb considering what he’s done in Kansas City, bring them back from the brink of being taken over by the state of Missouri.” Green’s stint in Missouri mirrors Thurmond’s tenure in DeKalb. Thurmond took over leadership of DeKalb schools in 2013 after it was put on accreditation probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools over governance, student performance and budgetary issues. Under Thurmond’s leadership, DeKalb has improved its rating, moving from pro-
bation up to “advisement” status, one notch below full accreditation. Alfred Edwards, chairman of the DeKalb Chamber, said the selection of Green appears to be a good choice and the community was involved in the process. “They were inclusive and there seems to be uniformity on the board about the selection,” Edwards said. Johnson said that by law, the School Board has to wait 14 days before offering Green a contract. He said Green will likely visit the district in July after wrapping up his duties in Kansas City. Green’s children and grandchildren live in the Atlanta area, which influenced his decision to accept the job.
Jim Lah, MD, PhD
Monica Parker, MD
Ken Hepburn, PhD
Check-in and screenings begin at 8:00 a.m. Forum includes breakfast and lunch.
Location: Antioch Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church 2152 Rock Chapel Rd • Lithonia, Georgia 30058 Reserve your space today. Seating is limited. Registration required. Visit www.antiochcaregiving.eventbrite.com to register online or call 404-727-3251.
James Ward, Pastor
For more information visit www.alzheimers.emory.edu Thank you to our partners and program sponsors! Center for Health in Aging
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
The Undisputed Champion of Neighborhood News Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information
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Forum 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007
www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Graphic Design Curtis Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Circulation Manager Jami Ffrench-Parker
CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.
CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
Our BOE members left their interview with you energized and excited by what you could bring to our district.
DeKalb poised to welcome new superintendent Dear New Superintendent, DeKalb County is ready for you! We don’t know who you are, but we have been hearing about you for the last few weeks. Our board’s Community Liaison Group is impressed by you. They became acquainted with you on paper, discussed your accomplishments, and highly recommended you to be interviewed by our Board of Education. Last weekend, our BOE members left their interview with you energized and excited by what you could bring to our district. We know that you must have inspired them because they have been able to stay focused on completing their search for you in the midst of many distractions. We commend our board for staying true to their goal of finding you, so that you can bring strong visionary leadership and continue
the progress made over the last two years. You may be hearing that some citizens are asking our current superintendent to stay in place. This phenomenon happens with any leadership transition – people are apprehensive of change. Thurmond has told us that he is not interested in the job and is stepping down on June 30, 2015. We understand the sentiment regarding Thurmond; he is beloved by many in the community. Because of this, we believe he can help smooth the path for you. He has the best interests of our students in mind, so we expect that he will help you transition into the superintendent role and share the wisdom he has gained over his tenure. We want you to know that parent leaders are not the only DeKalb stakeholders who are ready to wel-
come you. Parent Councils United hosted a round-table discussion with some of DeKalb County’s most influential leaders, such as interim CEO Lee May, DeKalb Legislative Delegation Chair Howard Mosby, and Chamber of Commerce ChairElect Al Edwards. During this January 2015 meeting, we discussed cityhood initiatives, annexation movements, reform efforts, and DeKalb County Schools. The group acknowledged that the quality of the school system impacts all areas of the county and that finding you was/is a top priority for DeKalb. PCU has reached out to metro Atlanta and DeKalb leaders from various organizations. These leaders stand ready to welcome you. They are affiliated with organizations such as the DeKalb Chamber
of Commerce, Leadership DeKalb, Leadership Atlanta, the Junior League of DeKalb County, South DeKalb Improvement Association, DeKalb County Council of PTAs, DeKalb Municipal Association, the Latin American Association and our metro Atlanta universities. PCU is supporting our Board of Education as it hires you, and we will support you as you transition into the role as DeKalb superintendent. PCU includes executive board members from Dunwoody Chamblee Parent Council, Emory LaVista Parent Council, South DeKalb Parent Council, and Tucker Parent Council. We pledge to do whatever we can to help you so that you can lead us and our children into a bright DeKalb County future. Sincerely, Parent Councils United
Mosby’s action in Freddie Gray case was courageous On Friday, May 1, Marilyn J. Mosby, the state’s attorney for Baltimore City, announced she had found probable cause to prosecute six Baltimore police officers for the death of Freddie Gray. Gray died while in police custody on April 12. Her act was electric, turning angry protests and riots into a celebration. For the AfricanAmerican community, finally, the state had acted to enforce the law even against the police, making it clear that no one can be treated as if they were less than human. Mosby acted in 18 days, about one-fourth the time Missouri officials consumed before making their determination about the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. In her clear statement, she described the “comprehensive, thorough and independent” investigation that had been undertaken by the Police Integrity Unit as well as by the state medical examiner and the Baltimore Police. Gray, she concluded, had been arrested illegally, having committed no crime. He died in police custody from injuries suffered while under arrest. He was handcuffed and shackled and, against Baltimore Police regulations, placed in a van with no seat belts, and no way to protect himself when thrown about. The van stopped repeatedly, with Gray asking for medical assistance. His request ignored, he was left shackled without a seat belt. This was probably an instance of what is known as a “rough ride,” which police use to purposefully punish someone. Mosby’s action was a courageous one. She is 35 and took her office only a few months ago. The head of the Police Union has already accused her of a “rush to judgment” and called for her to step aside for a special prosecutor. (Although a finding of probable cause only begins the process, all of these defendants can
An Opinion Jesse Jackson Sr.
Black lives matter is not simply a demand for equal treatment from police and the criminal justice system. It must be a call for jobs, for schools, for hope. receive their day in court before judgment is rendered.) Given the facts, Mosby stood up. She is not an antagonist of the police. She comes from a long line of police officials. Her father, mother, grandfather and many aunts and uncles were all police officers. In her announcement of the charges, she stated, “These accusations of these six officers are not an indictment of the entire force … the actions of these officers will not and should not, in any way, damage the important working relationships between police and prosecutors as we continue to fight together to reduce crime in Baltimore. Thank you for your courage, commitment and sacrifice for the betterment of the community.” Throughout the Baltimore upheaval, she consistently praised the courage of those demonstrating peacefully for justice and the dedication and courage of the police for protecting the city “from those who want to destroy it.” Mosby was criticized for speaking to the demonstrators in her statement: “To the people
of Baltimore and demonstrators across America, I heard your call for ‘No Justice, No peace,’” she said. “Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.” But a prosecutor speaking out to calm her city surely is doing the right thing. She was criticized for telling Gray’s family that “no one is above the law.” But surely that is a principle that every prosecutor is sworn to uphold. She will be under intense pressure from police and much of the public. The habit of deference to the police, the willingness to condone behavior so long as the “blue line” of police stays unified, exists in Baltimore as well as across the nation. Baltimore’s mayor as well as U.S. Reps. Donna Edwards and Elijah Cummings defended her integrity and the process. She will need greater support as she moves forward with the case. The riots in Baltimore, the demonstrations across the country, are sparked by police abuse. But the police are placed in an impossible task of trying to keep order in communities like Sandtown, scarred by desperate poverty and deep despair, with joblessness, boarded-up homes, closed plants, crushed hopes leading to drugs and too often violence. Black lives matter is not simply a demand for equal treatment from police and the criminal justice system. It must be a call for jobs, for schools, for hope. Marilyn Mosby can’t provide that. But her decisive action gives people in Baltimore some hope for justice, and officials and people across the country an example to emulate. Her act is not simply about this instance of police brutality. It symbolizes the progress toward “liberty and justice for all” that we desperately need. The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is founder of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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Show Your PRIDE, South DeKalb! Circulation Audited By
R Don’t Litter R Mow, Trim & Paint R Clean to the Curb A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM CROSSROADSNEWS
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May 16, 2015
The open house is the beginning of a GED program to assist people who have not acquired a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Atlanta Caribbean Carnival will bring its colorful music, dance and barely there costumes to the Kensington MARTA station in Decatur.
Caribbean Carnival bringing island flavor to Decatur The Atlanta Caribbean Carnival makes its colorful way to Decatur on May 23 at the Kensington MARTA station. A Festival Village will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the Parade of Bands/Costume Parade begins promptly at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the vacant Mama’s PrimeTime
building on Covington Highway near the intersection with Redan Road and terminate at the Kensington station where the Festival Village is located. Among Atlanta’s top mas’ bands performing are Classi Waves, Dynamic Image, Inferno, Island Fuzzion, Madd Colors, Madd
Flava Da Movement, Mashysteria, Panyarders, Paradise Carnival Troupe, Sesame Atlanta, Trini Vibez, and We Kinda Ting. The festival, which is powered by the Atlanta Carnival Bandleaders Council, showcases live performances from top artists, authentic Caribbean food and drinks, arts
and crafts, and cultural displays. The parade is free to attend, but there is a cover charge for entering the Festival Village. The MARTA station is at 3350 Kensington Road. For more information, including vending and band participation, visit www. atlantacarnivalbc.com.
Open house for GED initiative Children’s book art on exhibit Flat Shoals United Methodist is kicking off its GED initiative with an open house celebration on May 17. The event begins at 2 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Hubert Brown, senior pastor, said the open house is the beginning of a GED program to assist people who have not acquired a high school diploma or its equivalent. Brown said thousands of DeKalb residents do not have a diploma or GED. Special guests include the Rev. Sharma Lewis, district superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford Hubert Brown District; DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson; Dr. Michael Erwin, District 3 member of the DeKalb School Board; Dr. Albenny Price, Adult Education program administrator for Atlanta Public Schools; Dr. Jacquelyn Echols, DeKalb County Adult Education; Darryl Jennings, president of the Gresham Park Community Association; and principals, teachers and students. The church is at 2400 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. For more information, call 404-243-9547. Sharma Lewis
Michael Erwin
Patrons of all ages can mingle with children’s book illustrators on May 22 at the Decatur Library. The Southern Breeze Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators hosts its annual Gallery Show, which begins at 7 p.m., part of the Georgia Center for the Book’s Festival of Writers. The focus of the exhibit is children’s book illustrations and the power of visual
art and the written word in storytelling. The illustrations on display will be accompanied by a copy of the book or publication in which the art appears. The show will run through mid-June in the main lobby. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org or call 404-3703070.
Poet to discuss Gil Scott-Heron Albenny Price
Memorial walk to fund scholarship master’s in public health and veteriVolunteers and donors are nary medicine. needed for the Angelica Strowder All levels of donations are Memorial Scholarship Walk on accepted. A GofundMe account May 30 at the Gresham Recreation has been established – http:// Center walking trail. gofundme//m.gofund.me/r33kThe second annual walk starts 2p7y. at 9 a.m. Donations by check should be Strowder, a member of the made payable to Georgia Southern Cedar Grove High Class of 2006 and a graduate student at Georgia Angelica Strowder University Foundation Inc., P.O. Southern with a Bachelor of Science in biol- Box 8053, Statesboro, GA 30460 or online at ogy, died unexpectedly on Memorial Day http://georgiasouthern.edu/donate. Online donors should complete the memorial sec2013 after surgery. She was 25. The university and her family are honor- tion and indicate that it is for Angelica Nicole ing her legacy with a memorial scholarship Strowder/acct#0953. The recreation center is at 3113 Gresham in her name to be awarded to a Georgia high Road in Atlanta. For more information and school recipient annually. Strowder’s mother, Olivia Singleton, said registration, email s_olivia@comcast.net, her motto was “I want to change the world visit the Angelica Strowder Scholarship Faand soar like an eagle.” She was pursuing a cebook page, or call 678-698-3538.
The life and legacy of by the acclaimed jazz/blues poet, poet and activist Gil Scottmusician, spoken word artist Heron of “The Revolution and political activist who died Will Not Be Televised” fame in 2011 at age 62. will be explored on May 18 Fans are invited to bring at the Stonecrest Library in their memorabilia and offer perLithonia. sonal reflections of the artist. The program, which be“Gil Scott-Heron: The Man gins at 6 p.m., is presented and His Music” is supported by by South DeKalb’s own Poets & Writers Inc. through “Gil Scott-Heron: The Langston Hughes Awarda grant from the James Irvine Man and His Music.” winning poet and essayist Foundation. The program is Gwen Russell Green, who will lead the part of the Older Americans Month series. exploration and discussion of the work The library is at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information, call 770-482-3828.
“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world. Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m. Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038
770-981-2601 “We are building far beyond our years.”
Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax
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CrossRoadsNews
Wellness
May 16, 2015
“The Board of Health is taking a multi-tiered approach to addressing the high rate of chronic disease, particularly rates of diabetes and obesity.”
Farmers markets springing up Relay for Life honors survivors Farmers markets sprouting up around the county will help move the DeKalb Board of Health closer toward its goal of increasing residents’ consumption of produce. The 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System found that 86 percent of residents did not eat the recommended minimum of five fruits and vegetables daily. District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford said the board is promoting area farmers markets to residents, houses of worship and other organizations. “The Board of Health is taking a multi-tiered approach to addressing the high rate of chronic disease, particularly rates of diabetes and obesity, by providing greater access to healthy foods and imS. Elizabeth Ford proving access to physical activity opportunities,” Ford said in a May 8 statement. “We are excited that recent funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health initiative will help us reach these goals.” Many people are not familiar with the benefits of farmers markets and often perceive them as expensive, the board said. Also, some low-income residents do not know that seven out of the eight area farmers markets accept SNAP benefits (EBT cards/ food stamps). Most, if not all, of the farmers have farms within a 100-mile radius of the market location. Latresh Davenport, a health promotion specialist hired through the community
health grant, said purchasing produce from the farmers can be costeffective. “We want to let people know that shopping at a farmers market can be affordable and that programs like Wholes o m e Wa v e ’s 2-for-1 program can really help make that possible,” Davenport said. Wholesome Wave Georgia partners with 37 farmers markets to double each dollar that a customer spends using their SNAP benefits for up to $50 per visit. That means a person can purchase $100 worth of SNAP-eligible food for only $50. The double dollar value helps reduce the cost to the consumer and helps the farmer as well. A sampling of farmers markets: n Clarkston Farmers Market, 3701 College Ave. First Saturday of the month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Nov. 7; www.clarkstonfarmersmarket.com. n Decatur Farmers Market, 308 Clairemont Ave. Every Wednesday, 4 to 7 p.m., through December; www.farmatl.org. n Decatur Farmers Market, 498 N. McDonough Road. Every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round; www.farmatl.org. n Stone Mountain Farmers Market, 922 Main St. Every Tuesday 4 to 7 p.m. through November; www.facebook.com/stonemountain-farmersmarket. For more information, email dilsey.davis@dph.ga.gov or call 404-294-3803. DeKalb government’s Mobile Farmer’s Market kicks off May 21 with a ribbon cutting and festival starting at 10 a.m. at 4380 Memorial Drive – call 404-298-4080.
Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19 May 19 is the third National Hepatitis Testing Day, and the DeKalb Board of Health is urging residents at risk to be tested and/ or vaccinated. As part of the observance, health care providers educate patients about chronic viral hepatitis and available testing. Millions of Americans have chronic hepatitis, and most of them do not know they are infected. And millions are affected by viral hepatitis. When a person first gets viral hepatitis, he or she can develop a very mild illness with few or no symptoms or get a more serious
illness lasting months. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can progress to a chronic, or lifelong, infection that can cause serious health problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death. Most people with chronic hepatitis don’t know they’re infected and can live with the disease for decades without having symptoms or feeling sick. May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month. For more information, visit www. dekalbhealth.net and www.cdc.gov.
Cancer sur vivors, their friends and families, and supporters are converging on Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on May 16 for the DeKalb Relay for Life. The noon-to-midnight event is not a race – it’s a celebration, organizers say. There will be a Survivor Reception and free Victory Lap. Register at relayforlife.org/dekalbga. It features food and games; music and other HeaveN Beatbox, who has toured with Eshe and Speech of entertainment from the Arrested Development, performs at Relay for Life on May 16. stage, including HeaveN Beatbox, an internationally recognized movement in the world to end cancer where beatboxer; and activities for all ages all funds are raised to support ground-breaking day as well as a Luminaria Ceremony at research, education and prevention pro10 p.m., where participants can honor a grams, and critical services for people facing loved one. cancer. HeaveN Beatbox, aka Steven Cantor of It unites communities across the globe Atlanta, a Georgia State alum with a B.A. in to celebrate people who have battled cancer, film and a minor in performance theater remember loved ones lost, and take action to acting, has toured with the UniverSoul fight the disease. Circus and Eshe and Speech of Arrested The stadium is at 3789 Memorial College Development. Ave. For more information, visit relayforlife. Relay for Life, sponsored by the org/dekalbga or call Wendi Verzosa at 404American Cancer Society, is the largest 949-6472.
DeBerry hosts Mental Health Fair DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry hosts a Mental Health and Wellness Fair on May 23 at the Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. The 10 a.m.-to-2 p.m. fair is presented Debra DeBerry by the DeKalb Mental Health Action Coalition and is free and open to the public. DeBerry says the event is designed to change the way stakeholders look at mental health care in DeKalb. There will be presentations by behavioral health care providers; information sessions; access to new and innovative therapy methods; numerous resources; and representatives from the DeKalb Community Service Board, Behavioral Health Link, NAMI DeKalb, DeKalb County Jail, Veterans Affairs, and local community behavioral health agencies and providers.
Legal Notices 05/02, 05/09, 05/16, 05/23
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV3603-2++ Monica Jones Plaintiff Vs. George A. Calloway, Jr. Defendant To: 4144 Deacon Lane Doraville, GA 30341 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Apr. 17, 2015 you are hereby notified that on Mar. 26, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are
required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Monica Jones, 5400 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 17, 2015. Witness the Honorable Asha F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 20th day of April, 2015. 05/02, 05/09, 05/16, 05/23
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV4660-3++ Shaneeka Kowlessar
Plaintiff Vs. David Kowlessar Defendant To: 25 Treeview Drive Lithonia, GA 30038 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Apr. 28, 2015 you are hereby notified that on Apr. 14, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Shaneeka Kowlessar, 5663 Saint Thomas Dr., Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 28, 2015. Witness the Honorable Clarence
Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 28th day of April, 2015. 05/16, 05/23, 05/30, 06/06
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV11660.10++ Jamilah S. Porter Plaintiff Vs. Lorenzo A. Porter Defendant To: 2051 Flat Shoals Rd., SE, Q-8 Atlanta, GA 30316 By Order of the Court for service by
The shooting at McNair Discovery Learning Academy near Decatur in August 2013 escalated concerns about mental health care. The gunman, Michael Brandon Hill, who is in his early 20s, had a history of mental illness. In November 2013, DeBerry addressed the concerns in a forum that included legislative and county representatives Michael Hill and local mental health professionals. The forum covered changes in budgeting, access to medication, the impact on the community, and the overall state of mental health care in DeKalb. DeBerry’s staff continues to facilitate a monthly forum of professionals who have collaborated to form the DeKalb Mental Health Action Coalition. The auditorium is at 1300 Commerce Drive. For more information, visit www. dksuperiorclerk.com/mentalhealth or call Dana Patterson at 404-687-4076.
publication dated May 05, 2015 you are hereby notified that on December 08,2014, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Jamilah S. Porter, 9047 Raven Drive, Atlanta, GA 30238. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 05, 2015. Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 6th day of May, 2015. 05/16, 05/23, 05/30, 06/06
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: Jalisha Jackson Plaintiff Vs. David Jackson Defendant To: By Order of the Court for service by publication dated May 06, 2015 you are hereby notified that on May 05, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are
required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Jalisha Jackson, 1638 Church St., Apt. 123, Decatur, GA 30033. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 05, 2015. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 6th day of May, 2015. 05/16, 05/23, 05/30, 06/06
Notice of Petition to Change Name of CHILD in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV4945-1++ Johnnie Denise Dunson filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on May 1, 2015 to change child’s from: Ralphel Lilmon Simpson to: Ralphel La’Mon Barnes. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Apr. 30, 2015 Johnnie Denise Dunson Petitioner, Pro se 3490 Riverview Chase Dr. Ellenwood, GA 30291 678- 598-4892
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CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
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CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
Salute to the Class of 2015 May 16, 2015
Section B
www.crossroadsnews.com
Eyes on the Future
Destinies await as seniors bid farewell to high school
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Tucker High 362 seniors are among more than 6,000 in DeKalb County Schools who will receive diplomas or certificates of attendance at graduation ceremonies .over the next several days.
Kelli Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Cedar Grove expects to graduate 196 seniors this year. An MLK student (left) appears to be contemplating his future, while a Miller Grove senior appears to seek divine intervention.
Photographer / CrossRoadsNews
A Martin Luther King High students gets help with his mortarboard before the school’s Pre-Commmencement program.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Jennifer Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Southwest DeKalb chose forgo traditional caps and gowns for their Pre-Commencement, going with white shirts and dresses instead.
Kelli Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Families were on hand to capture the moment with their graduating seniors.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
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Graduation
CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
Today’s graduates, the most technologically advanced in the world, will be tomorrow’s teachers and judges, job creators and civic leaders. Superintendent Michael Thurmond helped distribute laptop/ tablet computers to each of the DeKalb School System’s valedictorians and salutatorians at a recognition ceremony on May 7.
Established 1995 2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
The 2014 Graduation Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews Inc., South DeKalb’s award-winning weekly newspaper. Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphic Design Curtis Parker
Marry power with responsibility and integrity
Reporters Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Brenda Camp Yarbrough
By Michael Thurmond DeKalb Schools Superintendent
It’s with a great pride that I congratulate the 5,500 graduates of the DeKalb County School District. They are the completers – the people who start something and finish. Let’s not forget that life hasn’t been easy for many of them. There might not always have been food on the breakfast table for some of our graduates. Many have had to deal with health issues of loved ones or care for siblings. Many have experienced hardships unknown to us – but their determination, perseverance and personal grit saw them through to success. It’s the same determination and grit that will catapult them to leadership in DeKalb,
The content, design and concept for CrossRoadsNews is copyrighted and no parts of it should be copied, reproduced or duplicated without the express written permission of the publisher.
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Georgia Piedmont Technical College 2015 Spring Commencement Announcement
metro Atlanta and throughout our country. Today’s graduates, the most technologically advanced in the world, will be tomorrow’s teachers and judges, job creators and civic leaders. They will serve their community with distinction, honor, integrity – all things they learned in the DeKalb County School District. Over the generations, we have graduated authors, senators, business leaders, civic heroes, just to name a few. I am confident that among these graduates we will see even higher levels of success and achievement. We will see among these graduates a level of performance, competence, confidence and determination not seen in previous generations. We’ll see graduates with a completely different world view – a smaller, more acces-
The Gallery at South DeKalb Congratulates the Following 2015 Graduates AROMATIC EFFECTS Jada Jones
Columbia High
AUNT ANNIE’S PRETZELS Shaheed Felder
Dr. Jabari Simama, President and The Board of Directors of Georgia Piedmont Technical College with The Board of Trustees of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation
Invite you to attend the
2015 Spring Commencement Saturday, the Thirtieth Day of May, Two Thousand Fifteen at
Ten o’clock in the morning Edward Theodore “Teddy” Riley, Speaker Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter & Musician at the
Georgia World Congress Center 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard NW Atlanta, Georgia 30303
sible world readily available through technology and ease of travel. We’ll see graduates who’ll connect DeKalb with cultures and commerce around the globe. We’ll see graduates who will lead the way in communications, technology, medicine and law. We will see graduates who will overcome prejudices of old and build a stronger, more equitable society. The next steps for our grads, of course, are college and career. And my advice to them is simple: Stay as focused as you were in high school. Marry the power of youth and adulthood with responsibility and integrity. Know your truth, and live it. Find the thing that makes your heart sing, and do it. Your success is inevitable. It is virtually preordained.
McNair High
DTLR
Nashaia Beasley McNair High
Veartte Brown
Cedar Grove High
EMBROIDERY WORLD Natavia Cook
Arabia Mountain High
GAMESTOP Shacole Smith
Georgia Perimeter College
LIDS Mahogany Demyers
Master’s from Clark Atlanta University
MACY’S Karina Dabbabi
Graduating with a Nursing Degree
MIX & MATCH Tanzania Walker and Leah Upshur Columbia High
Graduation
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CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
The Class of 2015 is being celebrated for achievements that include hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships.
Seniors bid farewell at ceremonies in DeKalb, metro Atlanta It’s the season of Pomp and Circumstance, and seniors from 26 DeKalb high schools are donning caps and gowns to march for their diplomas and out of the DeKalb School System. The ceremonies kicked off May 15 with the DeKalb Early College Academy graduation at Berean Christian Church and will end on May 23 with Towers and Cedar Grove ceremonies. The Georgia Department of Education shows 6,022 seniors at DeKalb schools, up from 5,954 seniors in 2014. The actual number of graduates who will get high school diplomas will not be available for weeks. This year, ceremonies are taking place at various churches, the school system’s stadiums, the Georgia Dome and even the Gwinnett Arena. The Class of 2015 is being celebrated for achievements that include hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. This year, the top students, the class valedictorians and salutatorians, boast grade point averages up to 4.2. Seventeen seniors from 11 schools, including McNair’s valedictorian Tiara Brooks and DECA’s and Arabia Mountain’s salutatorians Yotam Ghebre and Chermia Mathis, have received full-ride scholarships to the college and university of their choice. Superintendent Michael Thurmond calls the class “completers.” He said they are the people who start something and finish. “Let’s not forget that life hasn’t been easy for many of them,” he said. “There might not always have been food on the breakfast table for some of our graduates. Many have had to deal with health issues of loved ones or care for siblings. Many have experienced
DeKalb Early College Academy graduates also picked up associate degrees at Georgia Perimeter College.
hardships unknown to us – but their determination, perseverance and personal grit saw them through to success.” He could have been talking about Towers High School graduate Kortay Powell, who soldiered through his mother’s drug
addiction and low expectations for him to go on to earn a 3.95 GPA and win a full-ride scholarship to Union College in New York to study engineering. Thurmond said the same determination and grit that got the students through 12
years of school will help them in the next stage of their lives. “My advice to them is simple,” he said. “Stay as focused as you were in high school. … Find the thing that makes your heart sing, and do it.”
Debra DeBerry Clerk of Superior Court DeKalb County
Congratulations DeKalb County Graduating Class of 2015!
COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS
Congratulations to the Class of 2015 The DeKalb Board of Education Superintendent Michael Thurmond
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Graduation
CrossRoadsNews
By the numbers
6,022 Number of seniors up for graduation this year
52 Number of valedictorians & salutatorians in DeKalb Schools’ Class of 2015
17 Gates Millennium Scholars from DeKalb
32 DECA students graduating with high school diplomas and associate degrees
Congratulations Jordan Whitening on your D.A.T.E. Middle School achievements. “Continue your journey to high school with greatness.” Love, The Whitening Family
Congratulations, Aliyah L. Bowens Chamblee Charter High School
“To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required” Love, Dad, Mom, Jamal & Kwamé University of Georgia Bound!
May 16, 2015
2015 Graduations Countywide, up to 6,022 DeKalb County seniors will receive diplomas and certificates of attendance at commencement exercises.
School Seniors Arabia Mountain 277 Cedar Grove 196 Chamblee Charter 250 Clarkston 301 Columbia 268 Cross Keys 208 DeKalb Alternative School 11 DeKalb Early College Academy 86 DeKalb School of the Arts 55 Destiny Achievers 55 Druid Hills 379 Dunwoody 351 Elizabeth Andrews 187 Gateway to College 34 Lakeside 436 Lithonia 264 Margaret Harris Comprehensive 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. 327 McNair 162 Miller Grove 354 Redan 273 Southwest DeKalb 314 Stephenson 371 Stone Mountain 253 Towers 222 Tucker 372 Total 6,022
Graduation Date Friday, May 22, 2015 Saturday, May 23, 2015 Friday, May 22, 2015 Friday, May 22, 2015 Friday May 22, 2015 Friday, May 22, 2015 N/A Friday, May 15, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Sunday, May 17, 2015 Monday, May 18, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Thursday, May 7, 2015 Saturday, May 23, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Friday, May 15, 2015 Friday, May 15, 2015 Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Saturday, May 16, 2015 Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Monday, May 18, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Saturday, May 23, 2015 Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Time 6 p.m. 10 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. N/A 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 11 a.m. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 11 a.m. 7 p.m.
Location New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Georgia State University North DeKalb Stadium James R. Hallford Stadium Georgia State University Sports Arena Adams Stadium N/A Berean Christain Church Emory University Schwartz Center New Life Church & Community Ctr Georgia Dome North DeKalb Stadium New Beginnings Full Gospel Church Georgia Perimeter College, Clarkston Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church GA State Arena Margaret Harris New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Hallford Stadium New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Georgia Dome Gwinnett Arena New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Georgia Dome New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Gwinnett Arena
Congratulations, Dr. Tanisha Hutchinson Tanisha has excelled in academics, math, art, music and sports (track & field) as well; maintaining a B+ average throughout her school tenure. Tanisha competed in the State championship in her 11th & 12th year (1600 & 800 respectively) while attending Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, GA. Tanisha continued to run track at Alabama State in Montgomery, AL and helped her team win at least four championships (including cross country). Tanisha began tutoring other students at SWD in math and continued throughout college and graduate school at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where she received a degree in Bio-Medical Sciences. Upon completion of her Masters at MUSC in Charleston, SC she was accepted into the medical program there as well and will graduate on May 15, 2015. Tanisha has been accepted at the University of Minnesota into their otolaryngology (Head and Neck surgery) program and will begin her residency program effective June 24, 2015.
salutes
the Class of 2015 best wishes as you embark on your new journey
The Class of 2015 Valedictorians & Salutatorians DeKalb’s Cream of the Crop More than 6,000 seniors are departing DeKalb County high schools this week. Some will get their diplomas in the next few days at graduation ceremonies in stadiums, churches, and arenas. On the following pages, we
feature 52 valedictorians and salutatorians of the 2015 class. These are the top students from their schools. They rose to the top of their classes through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb School of the Arts valedictorian Arlena McClenton and salutatorian Lauren Weiss receive Lenovo ThinkPads from School Superintendent Michael Thurmond on May 7 at the district’s annual Valedictorian and Salutatorian Recognition Program. The district presented ThinkPads to all 52 vals and sals. The top students also got academic medals.
‘The very best and the very brightest students of the district’ The top students of the Class of 2015 were celebrated by the DeKalb School District at its 2015 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Recognition Program on May 7. The seniors, who rose to the top of their classes with grade point averages from 3.9 to 4.2, were presented with medals. The district also surprised them with the gift of a Lenovo ThinkPad that doubles as a tablet. Continuing a recent trend, the class was dominated by female students. Thirty-five of the top students in the Class of 2015 are girls.
Schools like Arabia Mountain, Southwest DeKalb, Cedar Grove, DeKalb School of the Arts, Lithonia, Martin Luther King Jr., McNair, Dunwoody, Stephenson, and Stone Mountain had allgirl vals and sals. At Arabia Mountain, four of the five vals and sals are all headed to college to major in engineering. School Superintendent Michael Thurmond, who welcomed the students at the ceremony, said they are the “very best and very brightest students in the district.” “You are extremely intelligent and well-round-
ed in the necessary skills to compete in a global society,” Thurmond told the students. “You are certainly ready to continue your journey.” Thurmond pointed out that the class has amassed scholarships like the Gates Millennium, National Merit, Simon, Zell Miller and HOPE and are headed for many of the nation’s top colleges and universities. “This is your well-deserved moment and we congratulate your successes and encourage you to continue to aspire to the greatness you are destined to achieve,” Thurmond told them.
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Valedictorians
“Our hard work is finally being recognized. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of late nights, and a lot of obstacles to overcome.”
ARABIA MOUNTAIN
Valedictorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Krystal Samuels
Mauranda Upchurch
High school was great for Krystal Samuels. In the ninth grade, she was overweight and shy, but during her four years at Arabia Mountain, she dropped 60 pounds and came into her own. “I learned not to be such a control freak and to go with the flow,” she said. “I became confident, and self-assured. I am comfortable in my skin. I am good to go. My future is bright.” With a 4.2 GPA, Krystal is headed to Georgia State University to study business administration and management with a Zell Miller Scholarship. Her awards include the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Superintendent Scholar, and a World Language Award. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Throughout high school, math and science were Mauranda Upchurch’s best friends. This fall she will continue that friendship, studying management science and engineering at Stanford. Mauranda landed a full scholarship to the California university and says she loved the racial, ethnic and academic diversity she saw when she visited the school. Mauranda rose to the top of her class with a 4.283 GPA. In March, she placed in the top 10 in the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair and took first place in the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers National Science Fair. She is also Arabia Mountain’s STAR Student for 2015. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Co-Salutatorian (M)
Co-Salutatorian (M)
Salutatorian (R)
Chermia Mathis
Elizabeth Harris
Phyllicia Thomas
Chermia Mathis is set on a career in biomedical engineering, and a Gates Millennium Scholarship will help her get there. Chermia, who has a 4.204 GPA, will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology this fall. She is one of 17 Gates Scholars from DeKalb this year. At Arabia Mountain, she took the engineering pathway and discovered that she liked engineering, medicine, research and development. Chermia also received a Georgia Power Scholarship and an AMHS PTSA Business Entrepreneur Scholarship. Chermia won a U.S. Metric Association Award in the State Science Fair, and she also received the 2015 AJC Cup for Best All-Around Senior at Arabia Mountain High School. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
For as long as she can remember, Elizabeth Harris has been passionate about creativity and innovation. In the 11th grade, it coalesced into a love for physics. “I enjoyed applied math and the practicality and usefulness of it,” said Elizabeth, who was on the engineering track at Arabia Mountain. This fall, she’s taking her 4.204 GPA to Georgia Tech to major in mechanical engineering. Elizabeth said girls dominated the top of the 2015 class at Arabia Mountain because they put in the hard work. “Our hard work is finally being recognized,” she said. “It was a lot of hard work, a lot of late nights, and a lot of obstacles to overcome.” – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Phyllicia Thomas got hooked on environmental science after a 10th grade class that explored the impact of pollution on the ocean, the earth and the air. In the fall, she will attend the University of Georgia to major in environmental economics and management. She has a HOPE/ Zell Miller Scholarship and Decatur and Lithonia Delta GEMS Book Stipends. Phyllicia, who has a 4.156 GPA, says she will minor in environmental law and then go to law school. She also placed first in Environmental Science in the DeKalb County Regional Science Fair and earned second-place honors in Environmental Science at the Georgia Sate Level Science Fair. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
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Salutatorians
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“Due to my love of animals and passion for helping them, I plan on pursuing a career as a veterinarian.”
CEDAR GROVE
CHAMBLEE CHARTER
Valedictorian
Valedictorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Ivy Amelia Harris
Kavi Pandian
Jose Hernandez
Ivy Harris is well on her way to fulfilling her lifelong dream – becoming a veterinarian. “I am very passionate about what I strive to do,” says Ivy, who has a 3.9 GPA. “Due to my love of animals and passion for helping them, I plan on pursuing a career as a veterinarian.” Ivy volunteers at the Snapfinger Creek Animal Hospital, where she is president of the Explorer Veterinarian program, and will major in biology/pre-veterinary medicine at Oglethorpe University. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Cedar Grove’s soccer team. Ivy, who is on the A/B Honor Roll, has received the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship, DeKalb Youth Commission Scholarship, Oglethorpe University Lanier Scholarship, and Georgia Certificate of Merit. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Kavi Pandian will attend the University of Georgia as a full-ride UGA Foundation Fellow. He has not yet decided on a major. Kavi, who finished with a 4.391 GPA, was a participant in 2014 in the Governor’s Honors Program, which offers gifted high school students academic, social and cultural enrichment. Kavi also traveled to Turkey in 2014 under a U.S. State Department program called the National Security Language Initiative for Youth. Kavi, who says he has been blessed with incredible experiences that have strengthened him personally and academically, says he will tell classmates to aim high. “Trust your gut. Never be afraid to go after what you want and don’t let fear hold you back,” he said. – Ken Watts
Jose Hernandez, who finished with a 4.086 GPA, earned the Superintendent’s AP Honor Cord for taking and successfully completing three or more AP courses. A Simon Scholar and Superintendent’s Scholar, Jose plans to attend the University of Georgia where he will major in civil engineering. Jose credits the work ethic that he learned from his parents with helping him achieve success in school. In his salutatory speech, Jose will urge his classmates to maintain good work habits. “We got through high school for the right reasons, so keep doing what you do as you move on to the next level,” he said. – Ken Watts
Salutatorian
Salutatorian (M)
Salutatorian (R)
Jasmyne Jackson
Swapnil Agrawal
Adnan Chowdhury
Jasmyne Jackson is so eager to go to college, she isn’t waiting for the fall to register at Georgia Southern University. Jasmyne, whose 3.83 GPA was second highest in her class, said she will start classes on June 18 to get a jump on her computer science/Web design major. She also already has nine hours of credit from taking enrollment classes at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. “I am very excited about going to college,” said Jasmyne, who is the youngest of five children. “I am not frightened by it. The only thing that frightens me is leaving my mother here.” She has a HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship and a Pell Grant, which will cover tuition and expenses. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Swapnil will attend the University of Georgia. He is a University of Georgia Foundation Fellow.
Adnan will take biology courses at Georgia State for two semesters before transferring to the University of Georgia, where he will major in biology and pharmacy with a minor in social work. Adnan is a Superintendent’s Scholar, having completed three or more AP courses in high school. He finished with a GPA of 3.956. For the last month, Adnan feared that he wouldn’t graduate because of a math credit that was missing from his record. “But the school found it and the grade helped boost my average to 3.956, making me the class salutatorian,” he said. “I had no idea that was going to happen and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been persistent. So my speech will urge my classmates to never give up.” – Ken Watts
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Valedictorians
“I enjoy the visual arts and believe it to be a way of not only expression, but also of teaching.”
clarkston
columbia
Valedictorian
Valedictorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Halkawt Aziz
Ashlynn Dudley
Ashley Brown
Halkawt Salih Aziz will study mechanical engineering when he attends Kennesaw State University this fall. Halkawt, who has a 4.133 GPA, has been on the Principal’s List his entire academic career and has received numerous awards for academic excellence. He has taken five Advanced Placement courses and several Dual Enrollment courses. He says he will probably talk about the future and how thankful he is. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Ashlynn Dudley, Columbia High School’s Magnet valedictorian with a 3.9 grade point average, will begin studies this fall at Georgia Southern University as a nursing major. She was awarded Zell Miller and HOPE scholarships. Ashlynn describes herself as hardworking and dedicated to everything she does. She will use her salutatory speech to help her classmates navigate this important passage in their lives and embrace the future. “I’ll talk about saying farewell and moving forward,” she said. – Ken Watts
Ashley Brown rose to the top of her class with a 3.9 GPA. She plans to take math courses at Georgia State University in the summer and major in journalism at the University of Georgia this fall. She is the recipient of the HOPE/Zell Miller scholarship and a University of Georgia Certificate of Merit. She is a member of National Beta Club and was on the Principal’s Honor Roll award all four years of high school. Ashley says she is hard on herself sometimes as she strives to do her best. In her valedictory speech, she will encourage classmates to aim high. “I’ll tell them not to give up and keep pushing when things get hard,” she said. – Ken Watts
Salutatorian
Salutatorian (M)
Salutatorian (R)
Ciara Walton
Ryan Lawton
Tanzania Walker
Ciara Ashley Walton will continue doing what she enjoys most – drawing and playing video games. Ciara, who has a 4.1 GPA, will major in interactive media/game development at the Savannah College of Art & Design. “I enjoy the visual arts and believe it to be a way of not only expression, but also of teaching,” she says. “I believe video games are also a method of teaching with the same potency as literature – games are simply interactive.” She has received the SCAD Academic Honors Scholarship, SCAD Achievement Honors Scholarship, Pell Grant, Georgia Certificate of Merit and Angora All-Star. Ciara will wish everyone success as they pursue their dreams. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Ryan Lawton finished his high school career with a 3.9 GPA, which earned the second-highest grade in his Magnet class. He plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full Carolina Covenant scholarship. He plans to major in finance at UNC’s Kenan Flager Business School. At Columbia High School, Ryan was a section leader in the marching band for two years. He received the Principal’s Honor Roll award all four years of high school and the Peer Educator Award. Ryan credits his success to his persistence and his ability to think his way around most obstacles. – Ken Watts
Tanzania Shamita Walker will attend Fort Valley State University in the fall and study premed biology. She became salutatorian with a 3.88 GPA. She received the Gladys Cook Scholarship and Zell Miller and HOPE scholarships as well as the DeKalb County PTSA Scholarship and full scholarships to Belhaven University, Savannah State University, Lance College, and Liberty University. She was also Miss Columbia High School and SGA Parliamentarian for 2014-2015. Tanzania received the Ray Kroc Youth Achievement Award and the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit and was on the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years of high school. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
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Salutatorians cross keys
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CrossRoadsNews
“I wanted to be supportive and to become a pillar that they could lean on.”
dekalb early college academy
Valedictorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Raul Perez
Nhi Tran
Yotam Ghebre
At the beginning of the school year, Raul Alberto Perez said he told himself that if he could just accomplish one thing before graduation, he hoped to leave some impact on his community. As valedictorian with a 4.125 GPA, he has achieved that goal. “I’ve always dreamed of one day becoming a role model, one that others can look up to and motivate them to strive for the same if not greater goals,” he said. Raul will attend Emory University and plans to major in neuroscience and behavioral biology along with psychology and linguistics. He received the Cross Keys Foundation, HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships and Emory grants, and a number of academic awards. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Challenges faced by Nhi Thanh Le Tran’s peers will help shape the course of her college studies at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. “My goal is to become a psychologist,” says Nhi, who has a 4.039 GPA. She said in high school, many of her close friends suffered depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses that greatly impact many adolescents today. “I wanted to be supportive and to become a pillar that they could lean on.” Nhi has received the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award, which covers full tuition, and Georgia High School Mock Trial Best Attorney Award 2015. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and National Honors Society. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Computers captured Yotam Zerezghi Ghebre’s attention when he was a small child, and he plans to study computer engineering when he attends the Georgia Institute of Technology. “I’ve always been fascinated with computers ever since I was a little boy, including everything from the hardware to software,” said Yotam, who is the recipient of a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which will cover his full tuition throughout his doctorate degree. Yotam, who has a 4.065 GPA, also received the Gladys Cook Scholarship and scholarships from the Delta Sigma Theta Decatur Chapter and the Delta Sigma Theta Stone MountainLithonia Chapter. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Salutatorian
Bao Truong It’s all about the learning for Cross Keys salutatorian Bao Minh Truong, who will attend Georgia State University to study engineering. “I’m a dedicated learner and I learn fast,” says Bao, who has a 4.0 GPA. “I’m willing to learn anything new.” He has received the Zell Miller and HOPE scholarships as well as the Senior Service Award and Senior Superlative Best AllAround. In his speech, Bao will talk about change – how he and his classmates have changed from their freshman year to senior year. “I’ll talk about all the things we went through,” he says. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
DEKALB SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Arlena McClenton
Lauren Weiss
Arlena McClenton has been writing for much of her high school career. She was a staff writer for VOX for two years and for Over the Edge, the School of the Arts’ paper. She also wrote a monthly column for theprospect.net, all while maintaining a 4.214 GPA, her class top grade. This fall she will enroll at Barnard College of Columbia University on a $52,786-a-year scholarship. She said an all-women’s college was not initially on her radar, but as she learned about how they empower women, the more she wanted to be part of that environment. Arlena also earned a National Achievement Scholarship and a Delta Sigma Theta Decatur Chapter Book Stipend. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
After four years of singing, acting and dancing at the DeKalb School of the Arts, Lauren Grace Weiss is ready for some new challenges. “I am really excited to have the opportunity to focus on the things I am interested in and to start thinking about my career, my life and studying abroad,” she said. In the fall, Lauren will take her 4.2 GPA to Principia College, a private liberal arts institution in Elsa, Ill. She got academic scholarships to cover all her tuition. Lauren was president of the Beta Club and co-chair of the Student Performing Arts Board. She also performed in two musicals, was in the school’s touring Highleit Show Choir, and helped co-write a history play. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
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Valedictorians
“I don’t like to take myself too seriously. I think it’s extremely important to laugh.”
druid Hills
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Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Abishkar Chhetri
Samuel Robison
Audrey Benson
Abishkar Chhetri’s studies started out in Katmandu and Damak, Nepal, before he immigrated to the United States at age 13. Abishkar, who has been awarded a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was named a Questbridge Scholar and a Gates Millennium finalist. He has a 4.40 GPA and will likely study physics. He earned departmental awards in science, math and social studies along with the Columbia book award and Georgia Certificate of Merit and attended Valdosta State University as a Governor’s Honors Program finalist. He likes soccer and playing Xbox. He’ll talk about overcoming obstacles and being thankful. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Samuel Lee Robison plans to attend Georgia Tech next year. Sam, as he is known, was named a Georgia STAR Student – Student Teacher Achievement Recognition. He also played soccer.
Dunwoody’s valedictorian, Audrey Claire Benson, plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall and major in biomedical engineering on a path to medical school. Audrey, who has a 4.344 GPA, is the varsity tennis co-captain, a member of the National Honor Society, and president of the Student Government Association. “I don’t like to take myself too seriously,” she said. “I think it’s extremely important to laugh.” Audrey will talk to her classmates about the fear of being passionate. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
overcoming adversity
After teacher’s words of encouragement, I refused to be a produc Editor’s Note: Kortay Powell, a Towers High School senior, told his story below on May 14 to an auditorium of more than 250 juniors, seniors, teachers and counselors at his school. It was signing day at Towers and 76 seniors, including
Kortay Powell is going to Union College on a full-ride scholarship. He will study engineering, and his goal is to design roller coasters.
I was a “crack baby.” To this day, my mom has struggled with substance abuse. Growing up, I never knew what it was like to have a mother who paid attention to my education. And my older brother was not an example for me to follow either. He had been affected by my mother’s bad habits, was held back twice in elementary school, and eventually ended up in prison. To deal with the frustration, I acted out in school. Although my teachers failed to realize it, I simply needed someone to confide in. While I was in fourth grade, my mother went through her first rehabilitation program. Thinking everything would be better, I put my trust back in her arms and began to improve my behavior in school. Just a few weeks after coming home though, my mother was gone once more. The morning after she disappeared, my future stepdad woke me up for school and told me that my mother was using heavily again. Devastated by his words, I slipped back into my ways of acting out in school. The progress that I made while my mother tried to get better disappeared, and I began to not care if I went on to middle or high school. My behavioral issues in school lasted until seventh grade when my English teacher, Ms. McQuary, noticed that I was failing most of my classes and intervened. She told me that if I didn’t straighten up, I wouldn’t make it to high school. Eventually, she said, I would be stuck working at McDonald’s trying to figure out how to make my next rent payment.
Kortay, announced that they have committed to 74 colleges and universities. Their combined scholarships totaled $6.2 million. A hush fell over the room as Kortay spoke. When he was done, there were very few dry eyes in the room.
“All along, my grandmother was the person who stayed strong for me.... She told me, ‘The only way you are going to make it out of that house is by finishing school and going to college to be somebody.’ Throughout high school I have worked with that mind-set.” I told my mom what she said and was shocked by her response. “Well you know Kortay, I never graduated high school,” she said. “It’s OK if you don’t want to go to college.” Listening to her words, I was crushed. My own mother didn’t have high expectations for my education and told me it was OK to quit on my dreams. I returned to school and told Ms. McQuary what my mom said. Ms. McQuary told me that I would be something great in life though, that I would benefit the world with my mind and be known across the globe. Ms. McQuary was the first teacher who ever encouraged me to better myself so that I could one day benefit the world. Since that moment, I have worked with a chip on my shoulder. I refuse to be a product of my environment. As I progressed into high school, the turbulence
May 16, 2015
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Salutatorians
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“I hope to continue my success in computer science and make a lasting impact on my local community and around the world.”
woody
lakeside
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Catriona Geddes
Michael Boden
Sang-Chan Kim
For the past six or seven years, Catriona Geddes has known that she is going to be a pediatrician. What she is not sure about is whether she will focus on patient care or research. Catriona, who has a 4.321 GPA, plans to major in chemistry and Spanish at the University of Georgia. She interned for three months at a medical research lab and she spent last summer at Valdosta State studying chemistry as part of the Governor’s Honors Program. At Dunwoody, she was class officer for three years, Spanish Club president, and a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Michael J. Boden works hard and it shows. Michael, who has a 4.36 GPA, will attend Stanford University on a full scholarship and study management science and engineering. He received the Georgia Certificate of Merit, Presbyterian College Academic Achievement Fellows Award, Lakeside High Social Studies Award, and Joseph P. Reed Alumni Scholarship Award. He’s president of Beta Club and a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, and Spanish Honor Society, and he received the Director’s Award for the Miss Lakeside Pageant. Michael will tell classmates not to be afraid of failure and to do the right thing. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Sang-Chan Kim will talk about the many things that define the Lakeside High experience in his salutatory address. He’ll focus on people he’s met over the four years and influential teachers, not big events. Sang-Chan, who has a 4.35 GPA, will attend Georgia Tech and study computer science. He received the Zell Miller Scholarship, Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation. “I’m really excited for what college life will be like. I hope to continue my success in computer science and make a lasting impact on my local community and around the world,” he says. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
lithonia
ct of my environment caused by my mother’s drug use continued. She was upset by my attempts to come between her, the drugs, and an abusive boyfriend, and repeatedly attempted to get me arrested and thrown in jail. All along, my grandmother was the person who stayed strong for me. Remembering how she tried, and ultimately failed, to help keep my brother from prison, she told me, “The only way you are going to make it out of that house is by finishing school and going to college to be somebody.” Throughout high school I have worked with that mind-set. This year, I was taken into Child Services custody along with my two younger siblings. After a stint in a group home, I am now living with my grandmother. I am happy to say that my mom is also getting the help she needs. Regardless of the past, I am supportive of her decision to go into rehab once again. Currently a ward of the state, I will graduate from high school on May 23 and be the first person in my family to go to college. Although challenging, these experiences have made me who I am today. I am a person who looks toward a better future, keeps a positive attitude no matter what the situation, strives to overcome obstacles, and keeps his head held high. ______________________ Kortay Powell, who has a 3.5 GPA, is going to Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., on a full-ride scholarship. He will study engineering. His goal is to design roller coasters. His grandmother, Vivian Powell, who gained custody of him and 16-year-old sister Tayah in August 2014, said she is very proud of him. “He is dedicated to what he wants to do,” she said May 14. “He is not a follower. He is focused. He has a good head on his shoulder. He listens and he likes to talk. He is not one of those who don’t talk and then explode. He is going to do great.”
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Georbie Cheathem
Chanease Nichols
Georbie Cheathem loves to help people, so it’s natural that she chose to pursue nursing at Armstrong State University in Savannah. Georbie, who has a 4.1 GPA, says she wants to be a physician assistant. She was inspired to be a nurse by a family friend who is a nurse and from watching television shows like “Grey’s Anatomy.” “I care dearly for others of any age and wish to make a difference helping people,” she said. Georbie earned the Zell Miller Scholarship and a nursing scholarship from Armstrong. During high school, she was member of the Beta Club and student government. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
After taking a psychology class, Chanease Nichols became very intrigued with how the brain works. This fall she will be going to the University of Georgia to major in psychology. “I want to figure out parts of the mind and how it operates,” she said. Chanease, whose 4.088 GPA earned salutatorian of her class, got HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship and was a member of Beta Club and the Lithonia High School Music Choral for two years. She is excited about her future. “I am ready to find out how it is going to unfold,” she said. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
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“I just prayed a lot, then tried to focus on the things that were important to me – school and grades.”
May 16, 2015
Valedictorians
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Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Ilka Ervin
N’Dyah McCoy
Jaylen Black
Ilka Ervin credits the power of persistence with helping her achieve academic excellence at Martin Luther King Jr. High, but especially during her senior year. Ilka and her mother, Sharee McDowell, faced financial challenges after McDowell lost her sales job at Terminix when the company’s sales office relocated to Tampa. “I just prayed a lot, then tried to focus on the things that were important to me – school and grades,” Ilka said. The result was a class-best 4.2 GPA, valedictorian of her class, and acceptance at seven universities. Ilka chose Florida State University, where she will study chemical engineering. - Ken Watts
Graduation will not mark the end of N’Dyah McCoy’s time at Martin Luther King Jr. High. She’ll be back on the Monday after commencement to take the International Baccalaureate exam. “If I test high enough on the IB exam, I’ll be able to waive my freshman year and enter college as a sophomore,” she said. Her 4.18 GPA earned her the salutatorian spot for her class. N’Dyah will attend the University of Georgia in the fall; she hasn’t chosen a career yet, but she is a winner of the 2015 Gates Millennium Scholarship, which encourages minorities to pursue jobs in science, technology, engineering or math. – Ken Watts
Jaylen Black had her pick of softball scholarships to four universities in Kentucky, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia, but she’s headed to the University of Georgia this fall on various academic scholarships to double major in political science and philosophy on her way to becoming a lawyer. But Jaylen does not plan to stop there. “Ultimately I really want to be a judge,” said Jaylen, who has a 4.125 GPA. She says the world is waiting for a lawyer like her. “A lawyer like me would be beneficial for our society,” she said. “I would look at all aspects of a case, look at the individual as a whole and look at the crime.” - Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Miller Grove
ronald e
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Jayla Moody
Javane Stewart
After four years of working at and anchoring Miller Grove’s television station, Jayla Moody is off to study journalism and French at Mercer University in Macon on a $20,000 Center of Collaborative Journalism Scholarship. Jayla, who reported, edited and anchored MGTV News/Wolverine Productions program at her school all while maintaining a 4.1 GPA, also won the National Society of High School Scholars’ Best News Anchor/Best Host trophy for the second consecutive year, besting students from 30 schools statewide. Jayla is the family’s second valedictorian at Miller Grove; brother James topped his class in 2013. “It’s exciting to follow in his footsteps,” she said. “He did serve as an inspiration.” – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Javane Stewart was just working hard at Miller Grove High when it dawned on him that he could be top of the class. “I was just focused on my work,” he said. “Then everybody began talking about it.” His 4.0 GPA landed him the title of salutatorian. He is still deciding between Georgia Southern University and Clayton State University but plans to major in business management or marketing with a HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship. Javane made the Honor Roll at Miller Grove and at Georgia Piedmont Technical College through dual enrollment and is a member of National Society of High School Scholars, the National Honor Society, All-American Scholar, and People to People Leadership Ambassador. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Valedictorian
Tiara Brooks Tiara Brooks got so many awards, scholarships, and recognitions at McNair High School’s Honors Day program on May 12, she said she began to feel a little embarrassed. She and her mother, Montego Brooks, counted 24 academic awards and recognitions from all the clubs and organizations she was involved in. Tiara topped her class with a 4.14 GPA and won a Gates Millennium Scholarship. She also got the HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship, a $2,000 DeKalb Youth Commission Scholarship, a $1,000 Burger King Scholarship. a $1,000 Bradford Family Scholarship, and a $750 Levi A. Simon Scholarship. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
May 16, 2015
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“I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian since I was younger after seeing an animal dying.”
dan
southwest dekalb
Salutatorian
Valedictorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Melanie Abron
Naomi Ruffin
Alicia Worthy
Melanie Abron was a leader throughout her high school career. She has been a member of Student Council since ninth grade, a member of Mu Alpha Theta, vice president of National Honor Society, president of Future Business Leaders of America, and co-editor of Redan’s Excalibur yearbook. She also played varsity soccer and volleyball. This fall, she and her 4.116 GPA will attend the University of Georgia where she will double major in biological sciences and Spanish. She has received the Presidential Award, University of Georgia Merit Scholar, the HOPE/ Zell Miller Scholarship, and was a semifinalist for the Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation. - Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Naomi Ruffin relocated to Decatur in eighth grade from a rough low-income neighborhood in Macon. “It was a big transition,” she recalled last week. “There everyone was poor. Here, people were more affluent.” It took her awhile to acclimate to her new surroundings. Music helped and she played the viola with the Southwest DeKalb High Orchestra and the DeKalb Youth Symphony. Her father, Jimmy Ruffin, ensured that she did her homework. It paid off with a 4.17 GPA and Magnet valedictorian. She is headed to Georgia State University to study nursing and psychology. “I truly like helping people,” she said. - Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Alicia Worthy arrived at Southwest DeKalb High School just two years ago, but that did not stop her from zooming to the top of her class. Her 4.08 GPA earned her resident valedictorian of her class. Alicia relocated from Jackson, Miss., in the 10th grade and landed a spot in the Simon Scholars Program and a four-year $16,000 scholarship to help with college. “My participation with the Simon Scholars Program has been most influential in my life,” she said. “It helped me become a better person overall. I made some good friendships I probably will never forget.” She is going to the University of Georgia to study business or education with minors in French and art. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Salutatorian (M)
Salutatorian (R)
Jada Hislop
Nikea Conyers
Jada Hislop is not exactly sure when she decided she wanted to be a doctor, but she knows it was pretty early on. “I might have been in kindergarten,” she said. What she is positive about is that ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” helped her decide what kind of doctor she will be. “I am planning to be a surgeon,” said Jada, who will enroll at the University of Southern California to make that dream a reality. Jada, who mastered top grades in math and science through her high school career, earned the salutatorian spot with a 4.15 GPA. She scored the 1,980 on the SAT, the highest score at Southwest DeKalb, and is an AP Honor Scholar and a STAR Student. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Nikea Conyers was 14 years old when she had her first attack of epilepsy. She was in the kitchen talking with her grandmother. “The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital with a nurse putting an IV in my arm,” she said. Despite the adversities, Nikea maintained a 4.0 GPA and will attend Middle Georgia State College in the fall, with plans to transfer to Oglethorpe University. A Georgia Merit Scholar for placing in the top 5 percent of her class, she is also a member of the National Senior Beta Club, the National Society of High School Scholars and the National Honor Society, as well as mathematics and social studies honor societies. – Jennifer Ffrench Parker
e. mcnair
Salutatorian
Nashaia Beasley The loss of a beloved pet has helped shape Nashaia Sharnee Beasley’s future. Nashaia, who has a 4.01 GPA, will study veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia. “I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian since I was younger after seeing an animal dying,” she says. She lost her dog, Bantu, at an early age. Nashaia has received the Zell Miller/HOPE Scholarship. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the softball and soccer teams. She will remind classmates of how they worked together to get to graduation so they can have a better life in the future. – Brenda Camp Yarbrough
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Valedictorians
“She has given me everything I have ever needed. Without her, I wouldn’t have achieved nearly as much.”
STEPHENSON
Valedictorian
Charbornay Johnson Charbornay Johnson’s dream of a career in aircraft and spacecraft technology will take flight this fall when she begins aerospace engineering studies at Georgia Tech. With her top GPA of 4.125, she says discipline and focus have made a difference in her success. She says her mom, a special education teacher at Stephenson, is the most inspirational person in her life. “She has given me everything I have ever needed. Without her, I wouldn’t have achieved nearly as much.” Charbornay has Pell and Zell Miller grants totaling $15,000, a $7,000 Horatio Alger award, a $2,500 National Achievement Scholarship and $1,000 from Comcast Leaders and Achievers. – Ken Watts
Salutatorian
TOWERS
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Michelle Gutierrez
Hernan Gallegos
For as long as she can remember, Michelle Gutierrez was drawing and making things. Art has been her passion all through school. In the fall she will pursue studio art – painting, drawing and animation – at Bard College in New York on a full Posse Scholarship. Michelle, who topped her class with a 4.156 GPA, will be a first-generation college student. She said her goal is to help provide a better life and health care for her mother, who came to the United States from Mexico and works as a minimum-wage housekeeper to provide for her and her three sisters. She was a STAR Student and president of the Art Club. –Jennifer Ffrench Parker
The first time Hernan Gallegos got on an airplane was in October 2014 when Tufts University flew him to Boston for a tour. “It was exhilarating,” said Hernan, who has a 4.063 GPA. He will study mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace at Tufts on a full scholarship this fall. Before that, he never had the opportunity to fly anywhere. There just wasn’t money for such luxuries. His mother, Lucila, works as a housemaid and his father is a construction worker. He will be the first in his family to go to college. “For me everything will change,” he said. –Jennifer Ffrench Parker
TUCKER
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Phong Le
Collin Kelly
Phong Huu Le is a stellar student with a 4.434 GPA, but Phong says he strives to live a well-balanced life. “My academics made me a success, but I believe success in life also requires love and laughter from family and friends,” he said. Phong, who will major in business administration at Emory University, has an Oglethorpe APCA Scholarship from the Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community Advancement; he is also a Gladys Scott Scholar, a National Beta Scholar, a Governor’s Honors Program participant, a National Society of High School Scholars ambassador and winner of the Burton Trimble Award. – Ken Watts
Bolstered by a 4.342 grade point average at Tucker, Collin Kelly is looking forward to new academic challenges this fall at Emory University, where he will major in business and finance. Collin says his priority will be balancing professional success with social compassion. He received the Kay Stewart scholarship from Habitat for Humanity and was president of Habitat’s Tucker High chapter. “I plan to stay active in Habitat,” he said. “I like the way almost every cent they raise goes to helping people in need and making it a better world.” Collin also won the AJC Renaissance Award and an Emory Courtesy Award that covers $182,000 in tuition for his four years. – Ken Watts
Diana Clement Diana earned the Superintendent’s AP Honor Cord for taking and successfully completing three or more AP courses.
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Salutatorians
This fall, Arianna will enter Georgia Southern as a junior and pursue a criminal justice degree.
stone mountain
Co-Valedictorian
Co-Valedictorian
Salutatorian
My-Hanh Nguyen
Ngoc Thong
Arianna Binford
Co-valedictorian My-Hanh Nguyen, who attained a 4.190 GPA at Stone Mountain High, will start studying this fall toward a degree in computer engineering at the University of Georgia. She is a member of several organizations and clubs, including National Honor Society and Beta Club. My-Hanh received numerous awards, including Principal’s Honor Roll, UGA’s Charter Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, and the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit Award. – Ken Watts
Ngoc Thong will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at the University of Georgia. Her ultimate goal is to become a pediatrician. Ngoc, who has a 4.190 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Stone Mountain High School’s Navy JROTC. Her awards included the Georgia Certificate of Merit Award, Collegiate National Honor Society, and Principal’s Honor Roll. She participated in soccer, tennis, and is a volunteer at DeKalb Medical in Decatur. – Ken Watts
Arianna Binford will start college a couple of steps ahead of most of her peers. After taking ninth- and 10th-grade classes at Stone Mountain High, she qualified for Move On When Ready, a dual enrollment program that allowed her to take college classes at Georgia Perimeter College in her junior and senior year. This fall, Arianna, who has a 4.103 GPA, will enter Georgia Southern as a junior and pursue a criminal justice degree. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club and has received the Georgia Certificate of Merit, Collegiate National Honor Society, Principal’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List at GPC. – Ken Watts
Achievers Aca n y i t s e demy of D E xcellen e congratulates c
THE CLASS OF 2015 OUR LARGEST GRADUATING CLASS EVER!
JáWon Robinson Quensha Robinson Deandra Searcy Savannah Smith Omari Smith Destiney Snow Shaquonza Solomon Tavion Staples Jamela Statham Nautica Thomas Sharif Abraham
NiDarius Thomas
Shimereyia Allen
Deja Walker
Sharod Blandenburg
Kyndal Walker
Leondraniqua Brady
Briana Washington
Mark Campbell
Demafia Evans
Temia Harris
LáChaunte Jackson
Shamira Lester
Jeffery Mills II
Aaron Watson
Jerrick Carr
D'Marcus Favors, Jr.
Monterrio Harvey
Jaylon Jennings
Taquavious Lewis
Patrick Noel
Antoinette Webb
Marquavious Carter
Jameion Garrett
Derrick Hawkins
Iman Jones
Aaliyah Lindquist
Khallid Nurse
Lavar Whitfield
Natron Clark
Kendryana Griffin
Jamel Hawkins
Torey Jones
Bréna Marshall
Genice Reed
Jermarcus Williams
Kevin Cojoe
Alkeddrick Guice
Jasmine Hayes
Byron Lanham
William McEwan
Santia Reid
Marquisha Williams
Raven Cox
Anisa Hammonds-Seegars
Aniah Hollis
Joshua Lawson
Ryan McGuire
Nichelous Reynolds
Talysha Williams
Kiana Dansby
D'Ashia Harris
Janae Jackson
Zenovia Leslie
Quintez McKinney
Khimoy Richardson
Tyonna Williams
We Are So Very Proud of You! Ben C. Jakes, Director • Charles K. Maxwell, Ph.D., Principal • Mrs. Tyra M. Simon, Assistant Principal
3595 Linecrest Road • Ellenwood, GA 30294 • Tel: 404.328.0898 • Fax: 404.328.1294
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“It takes a big commitment to do it. It takes 12 hours more than the regular high school students.”
DECA’s Marquese Parker is GPC’s youngest graduate ever Sixteen-year-old Marquese Parker picked up an associate degree from Georgia Perimeter College on May 8 and made history as the college’s youngest student ever to get a degree. On May 15, he received his high school diploma from the DeKalb Early College Academy where he is a senior. Marquese, who lives in Lithonia, was one of more than 2,050 GPC graduates and one of 32 DECA seniors who received associate degrees from the college at its final commencement ceremony. He is still trying to wrap his head around being GPC’s youngest graduate. “My mom mentioned this to me, and now I really see that it’s for real,” he said. GPC is being absorbed by Georgia State University and starting in 2016, all its students will attend GSU. At DECA, Marquese is one of 86 seniors in the school’s 2015 graduating class. It’s DECA’s largest graduating class since the school started in 2006 with seed money from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The academy is a joint venture between Georgia Perimeter College and the DeKalb County School District, While carrying full workloads in high school and in college, Marquese, an avid soccer player and fan, also played central defense and striker for a Rockdale youth soccer association team. Kathy Hall, DECA’s program coordinator, said the 32 DECA graduates are the largest class in the dual enrollment program’s history. “We are very proud of them,” she said.
Marquese Parker, who attends classes at the Clarkston campus, graduated from GPC on May 8. His DeKalb Early College Academy graduation is scheduled for May 15.
BILL ROA / SPECIAL
Head start on college Thirty-two DeKalb Early College Academy 2015 seniors also got associate degrees from Georgia Perimeter College. Eighty-five students graduated from DECA on May 15, its single largest graduating class since its launch in 2006. They are: Ethiopia Adera Yannik Alinyoh Blaine Allen Samantha Auguste Ashleigh Austin Malik Brown Rakiah Brown Rodney Caldwell
Valerie Dania Aissata Diallo Yotam Ghebre Quincy Grant Leila Hart Briana Heath Milani Ivery-Rogers Jonique Keys
Matthew Knight Destiney Maylor Marquese Parker Euridie Presil Salihah Priester Brittney Pugh Camille Robinson Michael Smith
Seon Smith Simone Smoot Romero Giovanni Soto Mi’Kel Sylvia-Gonzalez Nhi Tran Chamyia Williams Ebbrea Wilson
“It takes a big commitment to do it. It takes 12 hours more than the regular high school students. ” Hall said some of the students took classes at GPC in the summer before their junior year and the summer between their junior and senior year. She said DECA students with Georgia Perimeter associate degrees have since graduated from law school, entered medical school, earned master’s in education and one has become a news reporter at an NBC Georgia station. In its nine-year history, more than 245 students have graduated from DECA, with 96 of them simultaneously receiving their high school diploma and associate degree in psychology, math, English and general studies from GPC. Hall said that this year’s graduates will attend a number of public and private colleges, including Cornell, the University of Georgia, Brandeis University, Spelman College and Georgia State University. DECA is one of 10 such programs operating statewide. College-ready high school students from under-represented groups spend their first two years of high school at the Stone Mountain-based academy and their final two years at Georgia Perimeter’s Clarkston Campus. Marquese’s associate degree is in general studies. He plans to attend Clayton State University where he would like to study nursing. “I really like helping people and I really enjoy chemistry,” he said. “That’s really fascinating to me.”
Grammy winner to deliver commencement address to GPTC grads Nearly 1,600 Georgia Piedmont graduates will hear Grammy Awardwinning singer-songwriter, musician and record producer Edward Theodore “Teddy” Riley deliver the commencement address on May 30 at the Teddy Riley Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The 10 a.m. ceremony takes place in the Thomas Murphy Ballroom and is open to the public.
Dr. Jabari Simama, president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College, said the school was pleased that Riley agreed to serve as commencement keynote speaker. “With over 25 years experience in the music Jabari Simama industry, he will deliver an address that is sure to be both anecdotal and inspirational for our graduates as well as their families and friends,” Simama said. Riley, who has been a seminal influence
on contemporary R&B, hip-hop, soul and pop since the 1980s, is chair of GPTC’s Design Media and Production Technology Program, which includes its Recording Arts Program. The technology program prepares students for careers in film, television and other related fields. Riley, who is credited with creating the New Jack swing genre, has done production work with Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Doug E. Fresh, Keith Sweat, Heavy D., and Usher. Clients include Lady Gaga, Boyz II Men, Robin Thicke and Snoop Dogg. GPTC has established partnerships with
several production companies and Georgia Public Broadcasting, Capitol Records, and the Weather Channel. Specializations include motion graphics, Web interface design, computer animation, graphic design and pre-press, TV production, and recording arts. Video, lighting and audio production skills are taught using industrystandard audio boards, video switchers and lighting equipment in the state-of-art television and production studio. The Congress Center is at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. N.W. Visit www. gptc.edu for more information.
Rushdie urges Emory Class of 2015 to ‘dream, speak, reinvent world’ Emory University’s Class of 2015 comprised more than 4,500 graduates with about half earning bachelor’s degrees from Emory College of Arts and Sciences and half representing Emory’s graduate and professional schools. The geographically diverse group that graduated on May 11 before 15,000 guests represented every state in the United States and 78 foreign countries. Emory’s 170th commencement ceremony continued a centuries-old tradition and included bagpipes and drums for the opening processional that led graduates, faculty, university trustees and dignitaries onto the Emory Quadrangle. This year’s ceremony coincided with the celebration of “100 Years in Atlanta,” an observance kicked off in February honoring Emory’s charter to establish an Atlanta campus in 1915. As a result, this year’s graduates represent a class that is in many ways “distinguished by paradox,” Emory President James Wagner said. “For one thing, it has the unique distinction of entering during the fall semester when Emory celebrated its 175th anniversary and graduating as Emory is celebrating its 100th anniversary,” Wagner said. “That’s a
New and old traditions mingle at Emory University’s 170th commencement ceremony on May 11.
neat trick. It’s possible, of course, because this year we are observing the centennial of Emory’s replanting to Atlanta.” Wagner said the Class of 2015 “has demonstrated the possibility of living the paradox of humble boldness or bold humility,” demonstrating “a willingness to work boldly toward noble ideals – social justice, support of refugee communities, public health and mental health in Africa and Latin America, access to education for undocumented residents of our country, peaceful resolution in the Middle East.” Last year, Emory undergraduates and
some professional doctoral candidates for the first time donned graduation gowns fashioned completely from recycled water bottles, representing about 80,000 plastic bottles. In addition to continuing the tradition of “green” regalia, this year’s ceremony featured programs made of recycled paper; an increased emphasis on car pooling, both for staff and visiting families; increased mass transit campus shuttle service; water bottle refilling stations; and a university-wide goal toward a zero landfill waste commencement. Among those receiving an honorary
degree was Sir Salman Rushdie, renowned author and human rights advocate and University Distinguished Professor at Emory, who delivered the keynote address. Considered among the greatest writers of his generation, Rushdie earned critical acclaim in 1981 when his second novel, “Midnight’s Children,” won the Booker Prize for Fiction. He drew worldwide attention after Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini called for his death following the publication of his book “The Satanic Verses” in 1988. Rushdie encouraged Emory graduates to “dream, speak, reinvent the world.” Also receiving honorary degrees were former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, chair of the board of directors for the Center for Civil and Human Rights, who was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree; former Emory Provost and Chancellor Billy Frye, an Emory alumnus who served as interim president of the university (1993-1994) and dean of what is now the Laney Graduate School, who was awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree; and philanthropist and Emory benefactor R. Randall Rollins, chair of the board of directors for Rollins Inc., who was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Visit www.emory.edu.
May 16, 2015
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“This is a life-changing award, and I will make sure that this investment will not go to waste.”
17 DeKalb students land full-ride Gates Scholarships By Brenda Camp Yarbrough
Seventeen DeKalb high school students are getting full-ride 2015 Gates Millennium Scholarships to attend the college of their choice in the fall. The seniors are from 11 high schools and they include three salutatorians and a valedictorian. Nine of the schools – Arabia Moun- Tiara Brooks tain, Clarkston, DeKalb Early College Academy, DeKalb School of the Arts, Lithonia, Martin Luther King Jr., McNair, Southwest DeKalb, and Stephenson – are in south DeKalb County. Last year, 16 students received the good-through-graduation scholarships. Arabia Mountain has four recipients – Adebunmi Adeyemo, Tseganesh Gebresilassie, Keyarria Mack, and magnet co-Salutatorian Chermia Mathis, the highest number of any DeKalb school. Clarkston, DECA and Lakeside have two each. DeKalb School of the Arts, Lithonia, McNair, MLK Jr., Stephenson, SWD and Tucker have one each. Clarkston’s Gates Scholars are Ifrah Abdullahi and Urmila Poudel. The DECA recipients are Antoinette Charles and salutatorian Yotam Ghebre. The Lakeside recipients are Nnamdi Egwuonwu and Feven Woldemichael. The other scholars are Jhaunae Cephas, DeKalb School of the Arts; Cheldrick Wooding, Lithonia; McNair High School Valedictorian Tiara Brooks, MLK High’s Salutatorian N’Dyah McCoy; Danny Levy, Stephenson; Britney Maddox, SWD; and Melkam Mengesha, Tucker. Eighty-eight students in Georgia are among the 1,000 recipients nationwide. DECA’s Yotam Ghebre will use his award to study computer engineering at Georgia Tech. “I am extremely honored to be a recipient of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship,” Yotam said. “This is a life-changing award, and I will make sure that this investment will not go to waste. I will use this opportunity to make a significant impact in society in the near future.” The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is the United Negro College Fund’s flagship scholarship program. Each
need a quality education to remain competitive in the 21st century. “For the 20,000 young men and women who will attend college as Gates Millennium Scholars, the financial support, leadership training, mentoring and academic and social support they receive will enable them to become college graduates and our next generation of leaders,” Lomax said. “Through their generous funding Yotam Ghebre Britney Maddox Chermia Mathis N’Dyah McCoy and program support, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation amplifies the importance of investing in the next generation of extraordinary scholars to support our 11 schools with Gates scholars country’s economic strength and competitiveness.” These 17 DeKalb County students will attend college Established in 1999, the GMS program is funded by a on full-ride Gates Millennium Scholarships, funded by the $1.6 billion grant from the Gates Foundation. It removes Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. the financial barriers to education for high-performing, Student High School low-income students. Each year it enables 5,000 students to attend and graduate from 800 of the most selective private n Adebunmi Adeyemo Arabia Mountain and public schools in the country, including Ivy League coln Tseganesh Gebresilassie Arabia Mountain leges, flagship state universities, UNCF member institutions n Keyarria Mack Arabia Mountain and other minority-serving institutions. n Chermia Mathis Arabia Mountain Larry Griffith, senior vice president for Programs and n Ifrah Abdullahi Clarkston Student Services for UNCF, welcomed the 2015 scholars. n Urmila Poudel Clarkston “Their GMS program peers have already demonstrated that students from these backgrounds are rich in talent and n Antoinette Charles DeKalb Early College Academy that they excel at the highest levels in any of the nation’s coln Yotam Ghebre DeKalb Early College Academy leges and universities they choose to attend,” Griffith said. “I n Jhaunae Cephas DeKalb School of the Arts am confident that this cohort of extraordinary students will n Nnamdi Egwuonwu Lakeside add to the depth and breadth of the GMS program.” n Feven Woldemichael Lakeside The GMS program provides recipients with leadership n Cheldrick Wooding Lithonia development opportunities, mentoring, academic and social n N’Dyah McCoy Martin Luther King Jr. support as well as financial support. The program is known for its recipients’ high graduation rates – a six-year rate of n Tiara Brooks McNair more than 87 percent (28 percent higher than the national n Britney Maddox Southwest DeKalb graduation rates for all students and comparable to the rate n Danny Levy Stephenson for students from high-income families). This year’s cohort n Melkam Mengesha Tucker represents 47 states, the District of Columbia and seven U.S. student will be awarded a scholarship that can be used to pursue a degree in any undergraduate major and selected graduate programs at accredited colleges or universities. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF, said the organization is constantly reminded that young people will
Rep. Hank Johnson and Iyana Isom of Miller Grove High School examine her winning artwork in the 4th District Congressional Arts Competition.
4 get Congressional Art Scholarships Iyana Isom of Miller Grove High has won a $10,000 scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta in the 2015 Congressional Arts Competition in the 4th District. Iyana, whose winning artwork is “Pumpkin Patch Baby,” was among four students who were awarded college scholarships worth Trevonne Deveaux Dane Dvorak Jordan Swainson $29,500. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson Dane Dvorak, who attends Brookwood presented the scholarships on April 25 at the High School in Gwinnett, won a $12,000 Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia. Since 2007, Johnson has awarded more scholarship from Savannah College of Art than $280,000 in arts scholarships to 4th and Design for his work “Opulence.” Dane will travel to Washington in June to District students. “Every year, I’m impressed how our tal- see his art displayed in the Capitol, where it ented students express themselves through will hang with other award winners for a year. the arts,” said Johnson, whose district in- He also won two round-trip airline tickets for cludes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale, Gwin- the National Recognition Ceremony, where nett and Newton counties. “Our annual arts he will attend a master artist class. Jordan Swainson from Parkview High competition always brings out the best in our students and shows the richness and strength won a $5,000 scholarship to the Art Institute for “I See You,” and Trevonne Deveaux of of our diversity.” More than 17 high school students from South Gwinnett High will receive a $2,500 the four counties competed for scholar- scholarship to the Art Institute for “Everlasting Love.” ships.
territories and American Territories. UNCF has partnered with the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund to select and provide service to Gates Millennium Scholars. Visit http://gmsp.org/default.aspx.
12 get Achievement Scholarships Twelve DeKalb residents are among 800 African-American high school seniors who have won Achievement Scholarship awards through the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The awards totaling more than $2 million are financed by grants from 30 corporate organizations and professional associations and by National Merit Scholarship Corp. Receiving $2,500 awards announced on April 8 are: Ahanu N. Banerjee of Avondale Estates, Druid Hills High, Atlanta; Seneca Morin of Avondale Estates, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Meron G. Ferketa of Clarkston, Paideia School, Atlanta; Jacob M. Pierce of Conley, Druid Hills High; Claretta N. Holsey of Decatur, Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academy, Decatur; Jacob V. Jordan of Decatur, Chamblee Charter High, Chamblee; Arlena C. McClendon of Decatur, DeKalb School of the Arts, Avondale Estates; Dawit G. Gebre of Lithonia, Marist School, Atlanta; Moriah S. Wilson of Lithonia, Pace Academy, At-
lanta; Micah A. McKinnie of Scottdale, Druid Hills High; Charbornay A. Johnson of Snellville, Stephenson High, Stone Mountain; and Tiye A. Stephens of Stone Mountain, DeKalb School of the Arts. The privately financed competition was established in 1964 to honor scholastically talented black youth. More than 34,200 have received scholarships for undergraduate study worth about $108 million. All students who advanced to the finalist level in the 2015 competition were considered for the single-payment scholarships awarded on a regional representation basis in proportion to the population of black Americans in each geographic region. UNCF will carry on the name and legacy of the National Achievement Scholarship Program through a newly designed program for college graduates. The new program, which will be administered by UNCF and underwritten by the National Achievement Scholarship Program, will award assistance to high-achieving, underrepresented college graduates. Visit www.nationalmerit.org.
Congratulations, Kelli
Your talent, creativity
& passion for service will carry you a long way.
We are very, very proud of you!
Mom, Dad, Sharif & Jami
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More scenes from Pre-Commencement exercise
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Miller Grove students mug for the camera while awaiting the start of their May 12 pre-commencement ceremony at their Lithonia school.
Tucker seniors (far left, from left) Lauren Williams, Brittney Carter and Jonathan Magee pose for a photo. At right, Cedar Grove seniors were all smiles after their precommencement program.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Kelli Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Miller Grove seniors listen to a speaker at their May 12 precommencement.
MLK seniors are all smiles at their May 9 precommencement ceremony.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
Southwest DeKalb seniors wore white to their May 2 precommencement service at their school.
Cedar Grove girls leave the sanctuary at Greenforest Baptist Church in Decatur after their May 10 precommencement.
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Kelli Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
May 16, 2015
Graduation
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“You will learn the meaning of duty, honor and country. And you will be asked to lead our nation’s soldiers, an awesome responsibility.”
Levett scholarships honor memory of SWD students Six Southwest DeKalb High School seniors received $3,000 in memorial scholarships from the Gregory Levett & Sons Funeral Home. The scholarships for $500 each are awarded in memory of three Southwest DeKalb High students – Carmon McBride, Joanna Nash and Herbert Shaw Jr. – who died while attending the school. This is the 10th year that Levett has awarded the memorial scholarships. Applicants had to have at least a 2.5 GPA, write an essay describing why they should get the scholarship, and submit a college acceptance letter. The 2015 recipients of the Carmon McBride Scholarships are Montavius Coleman and Ayanna Shepherd. Naunna Livingston and Serena Turn-
quest received the Joanna Nash Memorial Scholarships. The recipients of the Herbert Shaw Jr. Memorial Scholarships are Tyler Houston and Areli Valero-Salazar. The scholarships were presented to the seniors on May 2 during their pre-commencement ceremony by Arlena Pou, the mother of Herbert Shaw. Herbert died on Feb. 10, 2008, from pediatric brain cancer. He was 19 and a drum major for the Southwest DeKalb Marching Panthers. Fourteen-year-old Carmon died on Oct. 29, 2010, in a car crash on Kelley Chapel Road after band practice. She played the flute in the school’s Marching Panthers. Joanna Nash, a Marching Panthers drum From left Serena Turnquest, Naunna Livingston, Arlena Pou, mother of the late Herbert Shaw Jr., Montavius Coleman and Ayanna Shepherd. Each student received a $500 scholarship. majorette, died on Feb. 23, 2005.
Congratulations, Jamikael!
Jaelin Watkins
Alix Valcin III
From left: Carlan Ivey, Sierra Durden, Sarah Allen, Cally Truong, Marcus Hyatt, Anthony Taylor III, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, Aulden Eatmon, Joal Banks, Jaelin Watkins and Alix Valcin III.
U.S. service academy appointments for 5 DeKalb students Five students from the DeKalb School District are among 15 seniors from the 4th Congressional District who have received appointments to attend a U.S. service academy. The 15 appointments this year represent a record for U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson’s office – the most in a single year. The scholarships are worth about $375,000 each. Since 2007, students nominated by Johnson have been awarded more than $18 million in service academy scholarships. Twenty-one students were nominated to attend the Military Academy (West Point), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy. Among students receiving appointments are Yaquarri Adams of Arabia Mountain High, Air Force Academy; Gerald Coleman of Redan High, Merchant Marine Academy; Alix Valcin III of Chamblee Charter, Air Force Academy; Jaelin T. Watkins of Lakeside High, Merchant Marine Academy; and Kaylan D. Williams of Lithonia High, U.S. Naval Academy Prep School. Those who graduate from a Service
Academy will receive a Bachelor of Science degree, be commissioned as a second lieutenant, and honorably serve in the military for a minimum of five years. Johnson, whose 4th District includes portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton counties, announced the names of the nominees on May 4. He told the students that graduating from a service academy ensures a good career after graduation and opens doors for the rest of your lives. “Our esteemed institutions will educate, train and inspire you to help shoulder the wheel in defense of our nation,” Johnson told the students. “You will learn the meaning of duty, honor and country. And you will be asked to lead our nation’s soldiers, an awesome responsibility.” Johnson said all of the nominees possess leadership skills necessary to be successful in school, business and life. Also receiving appointments are: Joal Banks of Heritage High, Naval Academy; Robert W.D. Bullard of Alcovy High, Air Force Academy Prep School; Aulden C. Eatmon of Shiloh High, Naval Academy; Collin
DECA senior makes Ga. Scholar Matthew Knight, a senior at DeKalb Early College Academy, and Decatur High seniors Jacob Haythorn, Bella Reiss and Lexi Ritter are among 183 graduating seniors from schools across the state who have been recognized as 2015 Georgia Scholars. The Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. The program is coordinated by the department’s Excellence Recognition Office and through local coordinators in each public school system and in private schools throughout the state. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for his or her diploma. State School Superintendent Richard
Woods congratulated the students on their accomplishments. “In addition to academic success, I believe we have to teach our students about life and the importance of soft skills,” Woods said in an April 22 statement. “These students have shown that they possess both, and I am confident we will be hearing much more about these students’ accomplishments in the near future.” Georgia Scholars carry exemplary course loads during high school; performed excellently in all courses; participated in interscholastic events, and who have assumed active roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools. For more information, visit www.gadoe. org.
Howard of Brookwood High, Merchant Marine Academy; Marcus D. Hyatt of Woodward Academy, Military Academy; Carlan Ivey of Rockdale County High, Military Academy; Anthony B. Taylor III of Wesleyan School, Naval Academy; Cally Truong of Parkview High, Military Academy; Jasmine A. Wilson of Shiloh High, Military Academy; and William Zimmerman of Parkview High, Naval Academy. All members of Congress may nominate up to 10 candidates per opening. Academies usually make appointments by March 31 of each year. For information about the nomination process, visit hankjohnson.house.gov/ serving-you/military-academy-nominations or call 770-987-2291. Applications will be available on June 1.
May God give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed! – Love, Mom
Kayla Alicia Buckner
Arabia Mountain High School
Class of 2015
Kayla you have worked hard and become a very proficient young lady and for that, we thank you! You’ve made us one gratified set of parents!
Congratulations on your pleasing achievements! With love, Daddy and Mama
Are You a 2015 Georgia High School Senior but Still Need 1-4 Credits to Graduate? Then You Need to Attend…
Maymester BaSix Knowledge Academy
MAY 11 – JULY 22, 2015
F
or the past 7 years, BASIX has offered a special ‘Maymester ’ semester exclusively for graduating seniors! For 2015, this 10 ½ week accelerated (May-Summer semester) will be ideal for seniors who are missing 1-4 credits from completing 23 required units. Enrolling seniors should minimally have 19 transferable credits inclusive of their spring 2015 grades. Students are able to earn up to 4 credits during this accelerated term. GRADUATE IN TIME FOR OUR JULY 30 CEREMONY!
Enrollment & Registration: Q
April 13 — May 28, 2015 11:30, 12:30 or 1:30 Daily
(Appointments are needed & can be made online.)
Cost: Q Onsite - $650 (2 payments of $325 are allowed) Q Online - $800 (2 payments of $400 are allowed)
What I Need to Enroll:
Official Transcript thru December 2014 minimally with 16 credits. Official Grade Report/Transcript/or Authorized School/Counselor notification of 2015 spring credits of 70% in all classes. Picture ID Tuition Payment (debit cards or money order only)
BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY
FAQ:
If I’m currently enrolled in school, do I need to withdraw from my school to attend Maymester? NO, successfully finish your spring semester then enroll into BaSix Knowledge Academy’s Maymester!
Schedule an Appointment to Enroll! SCHEDULE ONLINE AND SAVE TIME: www.basixknowledge.com (Click the Maymester Appointment Tab)
or Call 404.289.8106
z The Empowerment Center z 2941 Columbia Drive z Decatur, GA 30034 (404) 289-8106 z basixknowledgeacademy.com z Headmaster David K. Price, Founder & President
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CrossRoadsNews
Educating & Empowering the Community
May 16, 2015
Expos
July 25, 2015 at the Mall at Stonecrest Noon - 5 p.m. Exhibitors • Screenings Entertainment
The 2015 E
X &Baby Boomer P O SENIORS
October 17, 2015 • Noon - 5 p.m. at the Mall at Stonecrest Join us for Health Screenings, Food & Fitness Demos, and Performances.
Limited number of sponsorships available. Call 404-284-1888 to confirm your participation.