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EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright Š 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
May 21, 2016
May 24 is Election Day
Volume 22, Number 4
www.crossroadsnews.com
Pomp and Circumstance It’s time to turn those tassels! More than 5,859 DeKalb County seniors will mark the end of their high school careers at graduations this week. The Class of 2016 has received millions of dollars in scholarships. The students are headed to colleges and universities across the state, the nation and the world. We congratulate the graduates and celebrate their accomplishments with a special section inside that is devoted to the Class of 2016.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the May 24 Primary and Non-partisan elections. Voters will have their pick of 44 Democratic candidates who are in 17 contested races. On the ballot are DeKalb CEO, Sheriff, District Attorney, Tax Commissioner, Solicitor General, Judges, Commissioners, State Representatives, State Senator, and US Senator. Photo identification is needed to vote. If you’re in line to vote by 7 p.m., you must be permitted to cast your ballot.
Gang leader indicted for ordering shooting from prison Smuggled cell phone used in alleged murder By Ken Watts
Kenneth Eric Jackson, an inmate in Autrey State Prison in Pelham, Ga., used a smuggled cellphone to allegedly order the May 2014 shooting that killed 9-month-old Kendarious Edwards Jr. and injured his mother and grandmother in Stone Mountain. DeKalb District Attorney Robert James said Kendarious Jackson, who is head of the Sex Money Murder gang, ordered the shooting in retaliation for an earlier crime committed by a family member of the baby and the women. James announced a 15-count indictment charging Jackson with malice murder, felony murder and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention on May 17. He said the county is at war with gangs. “This was a ruthless act ordered by a gang leader looking to spread fear and intimida-
Police say Kenneth Eric Jackson (left) ordered the shooting, which (above from left) Marco Watson, Christopher Florence and Devin Thomas carried out, in retaliation against Oslushsla Smith, (above).
Pallbearers carry the coffin of 9-month-old Kendarious Edwards Jr., who was killed in a May 10, 2014, home invasion in Stone Mountain.
tion,� James said. “We are in a war with gangs in DeKalb County, and too many innocent people are being hurt.� Kendarious was killed in a home invasion on May 10, 2014, at his home on To-Lani Farm Road in Stone Mountain. The baby’s
mother, Tanyika Smith; grandmother Erica Stephens; and Teniqua Clark, a family friend, were critically wounded in the attack as they tried to hide in an upstairs bathroom and shield the baby. The indictment alleges that the shoot-
Join the movement for a new DAy. Vote
SHERRY BOSTON
Amb. Andrew Young
Rep. Stacey Abrams
Congressman Hank Johnson
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ing was retaliation for the murder of a gang member by the baby’s uncle, Oslushsla Smith. It said the Sex Money Murder gang “is affiliated with the Bloods criminal network.� James said Jackson was communicating at the time of the shooting with the gang’s national second-in-command, Robinson Lazala, who was incarcerated with the head of the Bloods gang, Peter Rollock, in U.S. Federal Penitentiary “Supermax� in Florence, Colo. James put gangs on notice. “This is not your county,� James said. “Get out or face the consequences.� The indictment also named three gang members who allegedly carried out Jackson’s orders. Marco Watson and Christopher Florence along with gang member Devin Thomas forced their way into the house and kicked in the door of the bathroom where the victims were hiding, police say, and fired their weapons at close range. Watson and Jackson are charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Devin Thomas, described as a coconspirator, is a midlevel ranking member of Sex Money Murder gang. He pleaded guilty to murder in 2015 and is serving life plus 20 years in prison. A fourth defendant, Eunice English, was charged in the indictment with kidnapping in the attempted intimidation of a witness in the case.
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May 21, 2016
“Coming back to Atlanta 20 years after winning the gold medal will instill confidence in our team.”
Nigerian soccer team to train in DeKalb The Nigerian soccer team will train for the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Silverbacks Stadium in DeKalb County from June 28 to July 29. They also will have sessions open to the public. Twenty years ago, the soccer team became the Samson Siasia first African team to win a major world tournament with their victory over Argentina in the 1996 Olympic gold medal game in Atlanta. Samson Siasia, Nigeria’s head coach, said a return to the metro area makes sense. “Coming back to Atlanta 20 years after winning the gold medal will instill confi-
dence in our team. The summer climate, which is similar to Rio’s, will allow the team to further build physically and mentally every day that we train,” Siasia said in a May 11 statement. “We want to show what the Nigerian Lee May soccer team is capable of doing on the world stage.” The climate and time zone, which is one hour behind Rio de Janeiro, contributed to the decision to train here. DeKalb interim CEO Lee May welcomed the news. “DeKalb County is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the world, with
more than 160 nationalities represented,” May said. “Every culture, however, speaks the international language of soccer, so it is very symbolic that DeKalb County has been chosen as a destination for the Nigerian Olympic Team.” James Tsismanakis, executive director of Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau/Sports DeKalb, says soccer makes an impact. “Part of our ongoing involvement in the community is to attract international events that drive our local economy. Discover DeKalb/Sports DeKalb’s support of the Nigerian Olympic Soccer Team confirms our commitment. We look forward to securing similar high-caliber events for DeKalb.”
Former Lakeside student gets 15 years in fatal crash reckless driving and three counts Former Lakeside High student of serious injury by vehicle, was Ramiro Gerrardo Pedemonte of sentenced by DeKalb Superior Stone Mountain has been sentenced Court Judge Linda Hunter on May to 15 years in prison after pleading 3 to 15 years in prison. He also will guilty in a fatal prom night collision serve 15 years on probation when in 2015 in Decatur. his prison sentence is completed. The wreck killed 33-year-old Hunter ordered Pedemonte’s liLakeside teacher Leah O’Brien on cense be suspended for five years April 25, 2015. Ramiro Pedemonte upon his release. Pedemonte, 20, who pleaded He was traveling more than 100 mph on guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide,
Scott Boulevard when the rental car he was driving T-boned O’Brien’s car at the intersection of Ridley Circle. O’Brien, who was going to drop off her 8-year-old daughter, Kori, before going to chaperon the Lakeside prom, was trapped in her car and died on the scene. Kori suffered traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for 13 days. Pedemonte and Zana McGrit also were on their way to the prom. Both suffered nonlife-threatening injuries.
Citizens can use portal to apply for vacancies Any resident can find out which DeKalb County boards and commissions have vacancies and apply to serve on them through a new online platform. Interim CEO Lee May said the initiative is designed to raise the level of transparency. “This new initiative will help increase the level of engagement that DeKalb County citizens have with their local government,” May said. “It’s easy to browse and use, and it breaks down barriers for the people to get civically engaged in their local government.” DeKalb has nearly five dozen boards and commissions that citizens are able to serve on. In the past, residents have been selected by the appointing authority through recommendations and search committees. The new “Boards & Commissions” website, which launched in April, allows all interested citizens to view and apply for any vacancy, which potentially increases diversity and subject matter experience on every board, commission or committee. For more information, visit www. dekalbcountyga.gov/BoardsCommissions. html.
Self-service tag kiosks at Kroger Bills support education, training
Motorists can now use two self-service tag renewal kiosks at Kroger stores in Decatur and Atlanta. The stores are at 2875 N. Decatur Road and 3559 Chamblee Tucker Road. Customers can use the kiosks on weekdays, weekends and holidays and avoid peak time visits during Tax Commissioner Office hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The kiosks are Key lime green with the Georgia MVD Self-Service logo. Kroger store personnel also will point them out. The customer must meet all necessary criteria to complete their tag renewal in order to use the kiosks: n Live in a county with the kiosk system. n Have a valid Georgia driver’s license or have your renewal notice sent to you by mail. n Know your tag number or have your correct address on renewal notice. n Have valid proof of insurance in the Georgia Database on file at the time of renewal. n Have a valid passing emission (if required) inspection record on file at the time of renewal.
n Pay all registration fees, taxes and the convenience fee by debit or credit card. Customers using the kiosks can complete their transaction in a few minutes and will be charged a convenience fee of $3 in addition to the cost of the tag renewal. The kiosks will process debit and credit cards with the associated transaction fee, but they do not handle cash at this time. Customers may process up to 10 vehicle registrations per transaction at the kiosks. DeKalb interim Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson announced the availability of the kiosks in April. The service enhancement is possible due to a partnership with the Department of Revenue and Intellectual Technology Inc. Self-service tag renewal also is available at the Memorial Drive office. Customers can visit tag offices at 4380 Memorial Drive, 1358 Dresden Drive, or 2801 Candler Road (inside the Gallery at South DeKalb mall) or use the internet or phone payment system. For more information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/taxcommissioner or www. dor.georgia.gaov/mvd-self-service-centers or call 404-298-4000.
vibrancy of our communities.” Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has Signed legislation includes: signed legislation expanding students’ and service members’ access n HB 801, which incentivizes stuto postsecondary education and dent enrollment in STEM college jobs skills training. courses. “Investing in education at every n HB 54, which provides tuition level – from our youngest minds grants to children of law enforceto graduating high school seniors ment and public safety officers to returning service members and killed in the line of duty. military veterans – has been, and Nathan Deal n HB 1072, which expands finanremains, one of my top priorities,” Deal said. cial aid opportunities for members of the “With the help of the General Assembly, Georgia National Guard. we’ve demonstrated our commitment to stu- n HB 895, which provides support and dents, teachers and education initiatives each training for charter school board members year. To that end, the 2017 budget includes an to ensure sound fiscal management. additional $300 million intended for teacher n SB 18, which grants technical college salary increases, $26.2 million more for pre-k credits for skills acquired during military teacher pay raises, and another $29.4 million service. for Move on When Ready programs.” n SB 364, which changes teacher evaluation He said the legislation builds on previous measurements and state testing requireefforts to advance educational opportunities ments. for all Georgians. n HB 802, which increases contribution “As students exit the classroom and enter limits for families utilizing college savings the work force, they must be prepared and plans. equipped with the skills necessary to suc- n HB 798, which expands Zell Miller ceed,” he said in a May 3 statement. “This Scholarship eligibility for Georgia’s highestlegislation will help cement Georgia’s repu- achieving home study students. tation for the top-notch quality of our work For more information, visit https://gov. force, the strength of our economy and the georgia.gov.
Man sentenced to life without parole in shooting death of clerk for less than two hours before reRickey Dashun Westbrook of turning a verdict. Atlanta, convicted of murder in On the morning of July 13, the shooting death of Exxon store 2015, Westbrook entered the Exxon clerk Harry Wells during a July gas station at 4101 Memorial Drive 2015 robbery, has been sentenced in DeKalb County and fatally shot to life without parole plus five years Wells, 54, as he manned the cash in prison. register. A DeKalb jury found WestWestbrook then fled. He was brook, 25, guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and pos- Rickey Westbrook later arrested and jailed. For more information, visit http://dekasession of a firearm during the commission of a felony on April 22. The jury deliberated lbda.org.
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GET UP TO
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SWITCH OFFER: Ltd time (PR ends 06/30/16). Each line reqs elig. port-in, trade-in, purch., svc & final bill. Credits may not equal all costs of switching. Elig. port-in: From eligible carrier (excludes Cricket & select others) on their term agmt or device plan & buy smartphone in same transaction. Elig. Purch./Svc: Must buy on AT&T Next w/elig. svc, be active & in good standing for 45 days. AT&T Next: Reqs elig. installment agmt & svc. Tax due at sale. Down payment may be reqd. If svc cancelled, balance due. Trade-in: Good, working & on line ported, w/ min. $10 buyback value & meet Buyback reqmts. Trade-in Credit: Instant or AT&T Promo Card (in 3 wks). Valid for 5 mo. Use for AT&T products, wireless bill & svc only. At dealers get dealer credit (w/add’l terms). Final Bill: W/i 60 days go to att.com/helpyouswitch & upload/mail final bill w/Early Termination Fee (ETF) or device balance (incl. lease purch. cost) on number ported. Final Credit: Equals device balance (up to $650) or ETF (up to $350) minus trade-in (min. $10). Excludes taxes, svc & other charges. W/in 4 wks after meet elig. reqmts, are mailed AT&T Promotion Visa Prepaid Card. Cannot use for cash. Valid through date on card (min. 150 days). Add’l terms & restrs apply & are provided w/card. Details: att.com/switch. AT&T Unlimited Plan: Select locations. Eligibility: Must remain active & in good standing on residential DIRECTV or U-verse television svc (TV) & AT&T Unlimited Plan. Puerto Rico customers must agree to sharing of acct info btwn DIRECTV & AT&T. Customers must meet all eligibility reqmts w/in 60 days of wireless activation. Lost Eligibility: You are removed automatically from unlimited plan & moved to another plan if do not meet all eligibility reqmts. Existing AT&T postpaid customers who have not added any new devices to the unlimited plan are moved to their old plan, if avail. Customers who cannot be moved back are moved to plan w/ 10GB of shareable data & overage charge of $15/GB. Once moved, you can move to any currently avail. plan at any time. Data Restrictions: After 22GB of data usage on a line in a bill cycle, for the rest of the cycle AT&T may slow data speeds on that line during periods of network congestion. Tethering & Mobile Hotspot use prohibited. Limits: Select wireless devices only (sold separately). 10 per plan. Purch. & line limits based on credit apply. Discounts: May not be elig. for all discounts, offers, & credits. See att.com/unlimitedplan for plan details. Gen. Wireless SVC: Subj. to Wireless Customer Agmt (att.com/wca). Svcs not for resale. Deposit may be reqd. Credit approval, activ./upgrade (up to $45), other fees, usage & other restr’s per line apply. Other Monthly Charges/Line: May include taxes, fed. & state universal svc charges, Reg. Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), gross receipts surcharge, Admin. Fee, & other gov’t assessments which are not gov’t req’d charges. Pricing & terms subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. Coverage & svc not avail. everywhere. You get an off-net (roaming) usage allowance for each svc. If you exceed the allowance, your svc(s) may be restricted or terminated. Other restr’s apply & may result in svc termination. Gen. TV SVC: DIRECTV & U-verse avail. separately. Term agmt, add’l fees & restr’s apply. Directv: Visit directv.com/legal or call 1-800-DIRECTV for details. U-verse: Geo. & svc restr’s apply. Visit att.com/Uverse to check svc availability. Screen images simulated. ©2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo, U-verse, DIRECTV, and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Graphic Design Curtis 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.
May 21, 2016
Walker takes the reader on a journey across the southeastern United States, uncovering stories of heartbreak, addiction and hope.
Free Movie with the Major at Satellite Cinemas Kids can watch a free film and learn safety tips from the DeKalb Police South Precinct on May 28 at Satellite Cinemas in the Gallery at South DeKalb in Decatur. Movie With the Major starts at 10 a.m.; admission is free. Parents must accompany children. Summer camp and safety information will be provided. Every week throughout the summer, Satellite Cinemas will have a free kids movie playing every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Kids can watch their favorite animated movies on the big screen once again. The summer lineup is subject to change without notice: n May 31-June 2 – “The Peanuts n July 5-7 – “Hotel Transylvania Movie” 2” n June 7-9 – “The Lego Movie” n July 12-14 – “Minions” n June 14-16 – “Ice Age 4: Contin July 19-21 – “Home” nental Drift” n July 26-28 – “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip” n June 21-23 – “Happy Feet Two” n June 28-30 – “Teenage Mutant n Aug. 2-4 – “Despicable Me 2” Kids can enjoy a free screening of “The Peanuts Movie” – in which Snoopy Ninja Turtles”
takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, while Charlie Brown seeks to
The mall is at 2801 Candler Road in Decatur. For more information, win the love of his life – on May 31-June 2 at Satellite Cinemas at the Gallery visit www.satellite-cinemas.com. at South DeKalb.
‘Hidden South’ documents unseen Library book sale juxtaposed with photos of the Atlanta-based photographer and Southern landscape that help storyteller Brent Walker will discuss paint a rich and complex picture “The Hidden South – Come Home” of “the Hidden South.” on May 24 at the Decatur Library. Walker’s TheHiddenSouth. The Georgia Center for the com was started as a photo jourBook’s Festival of Writers event nal documenting conversations starts at 7:15 p.m. with the unseen in September In his first book, Walker takes 2014. It is followed by thousands the reader on a journey across the Brent Walker on social media. southeastern United States, uncovThe library is at 215 Sycamore St. in ering stories of heartbreak, addiction and hope through portraiture and intimate downtown Decatur. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org or www. conversations. The book features more than 100 stories georgiacenterforthebook.org or call 404and portraits of people from all walks of life 370-3070.
June 3 spelling bee deadline Rising second-graders through rising eighth-graders have until June 3 to sign up for the June 11 spelling bee at the Caribbean American Heritage Month celebration at Atlanta-Fulton Public Library. Library system programs are free and open to the public. The word list, application forms and rules are available upon request – visit a library branch. Completed forms may be emailed to monica. foderingham@fultoncountyGA. gov or faxed to 404-224-1491. Deadline for entries is June 3. The Caribbean Spelling Bee and Anancy Festival will take place on June 11 at the Metropolitan Library, Meeting Room A, 1332 Metropoli-
tan Parkway in Atlanta. It begins at 11 a.m. and features adult and youth storytellers regaling the audience with tales from the West African trickster spider Anancy. Students up to the eighth grade also will compete for prizes in the Caribbean culture spelling bee that starts at 12:30 p.m. The spelling words of varying difficulty feature Caribbean people, places and things. Prizes and trophies will be awarded for the top three places. Refreshments will be provided. Visit www.afpls.org or call 404-730-1700.
Learn to play at Chess Club Learn to play chess or join in a game on May 24 at the Covington Library in Decatur. The Chess Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. This week’s meeting takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for patrons 7 and older. Instructor Mark Couvillion will
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be on-site to provide instruction to beginners, answer questions, or join in a game. It is open to the first 10 participants. Funding is provided by the library’s Friends group. The library is at 3500 Covington Highway. Call 404-508-7180.
Thousands of books and CDs will be available for purchase on May 28 at the Friends of the Decatur Library’s annual Memorial Day book sale on the front lawn. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. In event of rain, the sale will be held inside the library. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Dealers must scan at tables. All proceeds benefit the programs and collections of the Decatur Library. Donations of gently used books are always welcome at the front desk. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary. org or call 404-370-3070.
South Precinct book giveaway Parents and kids can drop by the DeKalb Police South Precinct and pick up a free children’s book throughout the summer as part of its “Encouraging Our Kids to Read” initiative. Books are available from 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday while supplies last. There are no age requirements for the books. The precinct is at 2842 H.F. Shepherd Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404-2867911.
Creative Writing Group meets Aspiring writers can attend the Creative Writing Group meeting on May 24 at the Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown Library in Decatur. The 90-minute meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
Writers can share their work and network with local and upcoming authors. Funding is provided by the library’s Friends group. The library is at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road. Call 404-286-6980.
Viva La Vida for older residents It’s party time for DeKalb residents 55 and older at Viva La Vida on May 25 at the Decatur Library. The party limit is 100 – call 404508-7190, Ext. 2257, to register. The sixth annual senior celebration takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your library card is your entry ticket. There will be entertainment, free lunch and other fun
activities. Come dressed in your favorite cultural attire and win a prize. Pictures will be taken from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The special event is part of the Older Americans Month, Savvy Senior, and Senior Advisory Board programs. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. Visit www.dekalblibrary.org.
May 21, 2016
Wellness
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“The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community.”
DeKalb Board of Health achieves national accreditation The DeKalb Board of Health has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board, one of fewer than 200 health departments nationally that have been awarded accreditation through PHAB. The nonprofit PHAB, which was established in 2007, works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of the nation’s state, local, tribal, and territorial public health departments. Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district health director for the DeKalb Board of Health, said the agency is “pleased and excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous qualElizabeth Ford ity improvement.”
“The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community,” Ford said in a May 10 statement. “With accreditation, the DeKalb County Board of Health is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work.” The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s nearly 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multifaceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.
Behavior therapy urged for ADHD The CDC is urging health care providers to refer parents of young children with ADHD for training in behavior therapy before prescribing medicine to treat the disorder. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest Vital Signs report says more kids 2 to 5 years of age receiving care for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder could benefit from psychological services – including the recommended treatment of behavior therapy. ADHD is a biological disorder that causes hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and attention problems. About 2 million of the more than 6 million children with ADHD were diagnosed before age 6. Children diagnosed at an early age tend to have the most severe symptoms and benefit from early treatment. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that before prescribing medicine to a young child, health care providers refer parents to training in behavior therapy. The Vital Signs report shows about 75 percent of young children being treated for ADHD received medicine, and only about half received any form of psychological services, which might have included behavior therapy. Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC principal deputy director, said parents working with doctors and therapists can help the child thrive. “Parents of young children with ADHD may need support, and behavior therapy is an important first step. It has been shown to be as effective as medicine, but without the risk of side effects,” Schuchat said in a May 3 statement. “We are still learning about the potential unintended effects of long-term use of ADHD medicine on young children. Until we know more, the recommendation is
to first refer parents of children under 6 years of age with ADHD for training in behavior therapy before prescribing medicine.” The report looks at health care claims data from at least 5 million children (2-5 years of age) each year insured by Medicaid (20082011) and about 1 million young children insured each year through employer-sponsored insurance (2008-2014). In both groups, just over 75 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD received ADHD medicine. Only 54 percent of children with Medicaid and 45 percent of children with ESI (2011) received any form of psychological services annually, which might have included parent training in behavior therapy. The percentage of children with ADHD receiving psychological services has not increased over time. Dr. Georgina Peacock, Division of Human Development and Disability director in CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said many families will benefit from behavior therapy. “However, in some cases medicine may be appropriate. When health care providers and families know the benefits and risks of all available treatments, they are best prepared to make the most appropriate treatment choice for young children with ADHD.” In behavior therapy, parents are trained by a therapist during eight or more sessions, learning strategies to encourage positive behavior, discourage negative behaviors, improve communication, and strengthen their relationship with their child. When applied, the skills can help the child at school, at home, and in relationships by improving behavior, self-control, and self-esteem. Visit www.cdc.gov/ADHD or www.cdc. gov/vitalsigns.
Vickie Elisa, PHAB accreditation coordinator for the DeKalb agency, helped to coordinate the three-year process leading a team of 35 public health staff. “Now when you see the PHAB seal of accrediVickie Elisa tation on DeKalb County Board of Health facilities, you will know that the agency has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health,” Elisa said. “The agency received over 29 areas of excellence, meaning that they set high standards in the areas of community partnerships, communications, diversity, environmental health services and working strategically with numerous partners on health improvement and disparities issues through its Community Health Im-
provement planning processes and its use of Community Health Assessment data.” Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns and states across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and lifesaving immunization; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies. The DeKalb Board of Health is the second health district to receive accreditation in Georgia. Cobb & Douglas Public Health also is PHAB-accredited. DeKalb received a grant from Healthcare Georgia Foundation and technical assistance from Georgia Southern University with its three-year accreditation process. The agency was awarded its status on March 11. Visit www.dekalbhealth.net or www.phaboard.org or call 404-294-3700.
New moms get Safe to Sleep tips risk of sudden infant death synEvery new mother leaving a drome, or SIDS. birthing hospital in Georgia will take home with their newborn n Crib – Babies should sleep in a a package of potentially lifesavcrib or bassinet that meets staning resources and educational dards set by the Consumer Products materials. Safety Commission. The mattress Georgia first lady Sandra should be firm and covered with a Deal unveiled the program to tightfitting bottom sheet made speprevent infant deaths at a May cifically for the crib. No blankets, Sandra Deal 19 news conference at WellStar quilts, crib bumpers, toys or objects Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. State should be in baby’s sleeping space. Public Health Commissioner Brenda The Department of Public Health’s Safe to Fitzgerald; members of the Georgia Chil- Sleep Program coordinates statewide public dren’s Cabinet; and Dr. Avril Beckford, health interventions intended to protect inchief pediatric officer for WellStar Health fants from sleep-related causes of death. Visit System, also were on hand to announce https://dph.georgia.gov/safetosleep. that every birthing hospital has taken the pledge to implement Georgia’s HospitalBased Safe to Sleep Program. The state averages three infant deaths a week due to sleep-related causes, many of which are preventable. Risks can be drasResidents with diabetes can get fittically reduced by following a few guideness tips at a free workshop on May 24 lines, including the ABCs of safe sleep: at DeKalb Extension in Decatur. n Alone – Babies should sleep alone in Get Fit, Don’t Sit – Diabetes and their own sleep space, close to but separate Physical Activity begins at 6:15 p.m. in from their caregiver. Parents and caregivthe conference room. ers are encouraged to share a room with Learn useful information to help the baby but avoid sleeping in the same you stay active and not let diabetes slow bed with the infant. you down. n Back – Babies should be placed on their RSVP by May 23 at 404-298-4080. back to sleep. Studies show that placing The office is at 4380 Memorial Drive, infants on their back for all sleep times, Suite 200. including naps and at night, reduces the
Diabetes and fitness class on May 24
Specialists in the Detection and Treatment of Digestive Diseases, Hepatitis and Colon Cancer
Physicians’ Care Clinic DeKalb County’s Oldest & Largest Volunteer-led Clinic Physicians’ Care Clinic serves low-income, uninsured adults who are not eligible for Medicaid. We offer non-emergency, primary medical care including chronic disease management, and prevention and education services. For patient eligibility requirements, application, clinic location, and opening hours, visit www.physicianscareclinic.org or call (404) 501-7940. Interested in volunteering? We welcome doctors, physician assistants, nurses and other medical professionals. To volunteer, please email physcareclinic@gmail.com or call (404) 501-7960.
Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates is proud to announce the association of
Nader Dbouk, M.D. for the practice of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Conyers 1501 Milstead Road | Suite 120 678.745.3033 Lithonia 5403 Hillandale Park Court | Suite B 770.817.0224 www.atlantagastro.com AGA is a participating provider for Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia.
CrossRoadsNews
A6
Finance
May 21, 2016
Learn what you can do should you get behind in your mortgage, stop foreclosure, and keep your home.
Sessions for small businesses at DOE expo Small-business owners will learn from experts and network with U.S. Department of Energy representatives and prime contractors working with the DOE at an expo on May 23-25 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. To register, visit smallbusinessconference. energy.gov. More than 600 attendees representing all levels of federal, state, and local government agencies; the small-business community; and large/prime contractors are expected at the 15th annual DOE Small Business Forum & Expo. It is presented in partnership with the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. secretary of energy; John Hale III, director of the OSDBU in the Department of Energy; and Ira Koretsky, “The Storyteller,� a consultant and presentations and communications coach. Ernest Moniz Session speakers include Leslie Bourgeois, Small Business Program manager, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, in the DOE; Cassius Butts, regional administrator for Region IV-Southwest that includes Georgia; and Terri Denison, district director, Georgia
Blazer keynotes 2016 Apex Awards there each week. It has a large Robert Blazer, founder of Your multicultural staff with more than DeKalb Farmers Market, keynotes 50 countries represented. the DeKalb Chamber’s 2016 Apex Blazer also has a shipping comAwards on May 25. pany called “World Direct ShipThe business awards luncheon ping� with its own vessel transiting takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 the Gulf of Mexico from southern p.m. at the Atlanta Marriott CenMexico to Tampa and back each tury Center, 2000 Century Blvd. week. N.E. in Atlanta. Register at www. Robert Blazer The Apex Awards honor busidekalbchamber.org. Blazer started the farmers market on June nesses that demonstrate exemplary standards 2, 1977, at a small greenhouse structure on in business development, employee programs, business innovation and contribution Medlock Road in Decatur. The market is a debt-free company that to DeKalb County and the metro Atlanta sources products from all over the world, region. Visit www.dekalbchamber.org. and more than 100,000 customers shop
District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The event will feature plenaries, educational workshops, and a large Exhibit Hall as well as business matchmaking sessions. The OSDBU created the expo to connect small businesses with DOE offices and programs to help strengthen and sustain America’s energy independence; introduce new innovations in areas of science and engineering; and enhance nuclear security through defense, nonproliferation, and environmental efforts. The hotel is at 265 Peachtree Center Ave. in Atlanta. For more information, visit http:// smallbusinessconference.energy.gov.
DeKalb lawyers holding Debt Clinic Local attorneys will discuss information regarding debt cases in DeKalb County on May 24 at the Decatur Library. The 90-minute Debt Clinic begins at 5:30 p.m. and is designed to help residents struggling with debt. If you have been sued for a debt and have questions, you may be able to get the answers from the DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Attorneys will facilitate free, one-on-one consultations. Participants should bring documentation related to their cases. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. in Decatur. Call 404-370-3070.
Expanded computer time for job seekers Job seekers can take advantage of expanded time on the computers on May 25 at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. The open lab is from 2 to 3 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. The computer lab will give job seekers expanded time to conduct job searches; fill out online job applications; update their resume; and improve work skills with online tutorials. Library staff will be on hand to answer basic questions about the library’s resources for job seekers. The library is at 952 Leon St. in Stone Mountain. For more information, call 770-413-2020.
Workshop on how to stop foreclosure Struggling homeowners can get valuable information on how to stop foreclosure at a Mortgage Default & Foreclosure Prevention Seminar on May 23 at the Stonecrest Library. The 6 p.m. workshop is offered in partnership with the DeKalb Human & Community Development Department; Morningstar Urban Development Inc., an approved HUD counseling provider; and DeKalb County Public Library. The library is at 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-482-3828.
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CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
A7
Legal Notices 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Child(ren) in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4975-3++ Anndria Robinson filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Apr. 22, 2016 to change name(s) of the following minor child(ren) from: Nailah Robinson-Molley to Nailah Robinson. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within the time prescribed In OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3). Dated: Apr. 19, 2016 Name: Anndria Robinson 771 Rockboro Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (678) 361-3473 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4473-3++ Artie Maryland Snell Plaintiff Vs. Kelvin Richardo Snell Defendant To: Kelvin Richardo Snell 5068 Wellborn Trace Lithonia, GA 30038 You are hereby notified that the abovestyled action seeking Plaintiff for Divorce was filed suit against you in said court on Apr. 20, 2016 and that by reason of an Order for Services Summons by Publication entered by the court on Apr. 15, 2016, you are hereby commanded and required to file with the Clerk said court, and serve upon Artie M. Snell, 280 Northern Ave., Apt. #16, Avondlae, GA 30002, an answer to the Petition within sixty (60) days of Apr. 20, 2016. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 28th day of Apr., 2016 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4979-3++ Sylvia Soumano Plaintiff Vs. Sikina Soumano Defendant To: Sikina Soumano 2660 Godby Rd. College Park, GA 30345 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated 04/26/16. You are hereby notified that Sikina Sourmano, the above-named plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Sylvia Soumano, 2260 McAfee Rd., Decatur, 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 26, 2016. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 27th day of Apr., 2016 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number:
++16CV2301-4++ Trenita Wilson-Beals Plaintiff Vs. Orlando J. Beals Defendant To: Orlando J. Beals By Order of the Court by publication dated 04/22/16; You are hereby notified that on Apr. 21, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Trenita Wilson-Beals, 5280 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Rm#416, Chamblee, GA 30341. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 22, 2016. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 25th day of Apr., 2016 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4769-7++ Kevin Carter Plaintiff Vs. April Carter Defendant To: April Carter 1131 Audubon Circle By Order of the Court by publication dated Apr. 22, 2016; You are hereby notified that on Apr. 19, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Kevin Carter, 2274 Salem Rd., #106, Conyers, GA 30013. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 22, 2016. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr.,, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 22nd day of Apr., 2016
Vs. Dorcy David Smith, Sr. Defendant To: 3747 Rockbridge Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30083 By Order of the Court by publication dated Apr. 20, 2016; you are hereby notified that on Apr. 15, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Rose Kinsey Smith, 3747 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 20, 2016. Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 21st day of Apr., 2016 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5516-3++ Gloria Dorris Plaintiff Vs. Kenny Dorris Defendant To: 32-1 Oil Mills Rd. Sumner, MI 38957 By Order of the Court by publication dated May 13, 2016; you are hereby notified that on Apr. 10, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Gloria Dorris, 2636 Embarcadero Dr., #112, Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 13 2016.
in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4547-1++ Rose Kinsey Smith Plaintiff
Notice of Petition to Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV3835-9++ Femela Mitchell Plaintiff Vs. Denoris Carter Defendant To: 1609 Lakeland Circle Lake City, GA 30260 By Order of the Court by publication dated May 09, 2016; you are hereby notified that on Apr. 28, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Femela Mitchell, 513 Creste Dr., Decatur, GA 30035. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 09 2016. Witness the Honorable Mark Anthony Scott, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 09th day of May, 2016 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Child(ren) in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5539-3++ Fedor R. Kozachkov filed a petition in
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5477-3++ Fedor Rolertovich Kozachkov filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on April 27, 2016 to change name from: Fedor Robertovich Kozachkov to Yona Rolertovich Kozak. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Apr/ 27, 2016 Name: Fedor R. Kozachkov 4870 Adams Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 (504) 443-0595 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of Petition to Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5471-3++ Irina Georgievna Kozachkova filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on April 27, 2016 to change name from: Irina Georgievna Kozachkova to Iris Georgievna Kozak. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Apr/ 27, 2016 Name: Irina G. Kozachkova 4870 Adams Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 (470) 216-3345
Notice of Petition to Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5496-2++ Simone Brittany McCoy filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on May 06, 2016 to change name from: Simone Brittany McCoy to Simone Brittany Nappa. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: May 06, 2016 Name: Simone McCoy 5918 Crescent Ridge Ct. Lithonia, GA 30058 (404) 675-7840 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5557-3++ Marlene Morales Plaintiff Vs Jose Fuentes Defendant To: Jose Fuentes 3496 Pleasant Brook Village Lane, Unit G Doraville, GA 30340 You are hereby notified that the abovestyled action seeking Petition for Legitimation, Custody and Child Support was filed against you in said court on May 11, 2016, and that by reason of an Order for Service of Summons by Publication entered by the court of May 13, 2016, you are hereby commanded and required to file with the clerk of said court and serve upon Sarah T. Austin, Plaintiff’s attorney whose address is Cobb County Legal Aid, 30 South Park Square, Suite 101, Marietta, Georgia 30090, an answer to the Petition within sixty (60) days of the date of the Order for Service by Publication. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of said court. This 13th day of May, 2016.
Jeffrey L. Mann, Sheriff 4415 Memorial Drive • Decatur, GA 30032
Notice OF PUBLICATION
05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
DeKalb County Sheriff Office
05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4774-7++ Deborah Rasheed Plaintiff Vs. Omar Rasheed Defendant To: Omar Rasheed 5354 Fawnbrook Cir. Griffin, GA 30023 By Order of the Court by publication dated Apr. 22, 2016; you are hereby notified that on Apr. 19, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court of DeKalb County, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Deborah Rasheed, 37 Treeview Dr., #70C, Lithonia, GA 30038. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 22, 2016. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 22nd day of Apr., 2016
Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 13th day of May., 2016
the DeKalb County Superior Court on May 11, 2016 to change name(s) of the following minor child(ren) from: Zosya Beylya Kozachkova to Zosya Beyla Kozak; Simon Revven Kozachkov to Simon Revven Kozak. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within the time prescribed In OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3). Dated: May 11, 2016 Name: Fedor R. Kozachkov 4870 Adams Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 (504) 443-0595
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Thomas Angash 123 Plantation Circle Clarkston, GA 30021 Charge of Aggravated Child Molestation Convicted on 2/25/2002
Andrew Depeiza Homeless Decatur, GA 30032 Charge of Sexual Battery Against Child Under 16 YOA Convicted on 1/15/2016
Andrew Egan 465 Navarre Dr. St. Mtn., GA 30087 Charge of Child Molestation Convicted on 8/13/2009
DeMarco Jones 827 Amanda Dr. Lithonia, GA 30058 Charge of Statutory Rape 2nd degree Convicted on 4/28/2003
Gregory Smith 2190 Raven Circle Lithonia, GA 30058 Charge of Sexual Offense With Certain Victims Convicted on 8/2/2011
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Sex Offender
Charles Britton 1678 Fieldgreen Overlook St. Mtn., GA 30088 Charge of Aggravated Sexual Abuse Convicted on 8/17/1991
Ricky Edgington 2877 Dresden Dr. Atlanta, GA 30341 Charge of Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse Convicted on 9/19/1997
Greyland Hegwood 4332 Langdon Dr. Decatur, GA 30035 Charge of Rape Convicted on 2/11/1976
Corey McGruder 2825 Belvedere Lane, Apt. 9 Decatur, GA 30032 Charge of Child Molestation Convicted on 1/6/2005
Kevin Weathers 3097 B Colonial Way Chamblee, GA 30341 Charge of Aggravated Child Molestation Convicted on 5/6/2004
The DeKalb Sex Offenders List is published by the DeKalb County Sheriff Office. For more information call the Sex Offender Unit at 404-298-8130.
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May 21, 2016
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May 21, 2016
Section B
www.crossroadsnews. com
Final push for May 24 primary
Forum timekeeper signals 60seconds for DeKalb CEO candidates to answer questions at the May 16 Vote 2016 Forum.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Marian Boston, mother of district attorney candidate Sherry Boston, came from Baltimore, Md., to help her daughter campaign Saturday in front of the Gallery at South DeKalb mall.
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Joscelyn O’Neil, candidate for House District 86,
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Campaign volunteer Janice Ivery (left) joins the sign-waving contingent on Northern Road after casting her vote Saturday at the DeKalb Elections office on Memorial Drive.
CrossRoadsNews
B2
May 21, 2016
All precincts will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 24. Voters should bring photo identification with them to polls.
Guide to primary, nonpartisan and special elections
“East Metro Atlanta’s Weekly Newspaper” 2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007
www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
The 2016 Guide to the Elections is a publication of CrossRoadsNews Inc., East Metro Atlanta’s awardwinning weekly newspaper.
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker
Reporters Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Donna Williams Lewis Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Circulation Audited By
These candidates are in contested races on the DeKalb County ballots in the May 24, 2016, Democratic and Republican primary elections. This information includes the office they are seeking, the salary for the office, party affiliation, age and occupation. Candidates who are running unopposed are not listed.
David Neville (D) Rhonda S. Taylor (D)
(D) = Democrat (R) = Republican (I) = Incumbent
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners District 4 Sharon Barnes-Sutton (D)(I) Steve Bradshaw (D) Lance Lawyer Hammonds (D) District 6 Kathie Gannon (D)(I) Warren Mosby (D)
U.S. Senate Democrat Jim Barksdale (D) Cheryl Copeland (D) John F. Coyne III (D) Republican Mary Kay Bacallao (R) Derrick Grayson (R) Johnny Isakson (R) (I) Georgia Senate 43rd District Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D) Toney L. Collins (D) Tonya P. Anderson (D) Georgia House 82nd District Mary Margaret Oliver (D) (I) Brian Westlake (D) 84th District Rahn Mayo (D) (I) Renitta Shannon (D) 86th District Michele Henson (D) (I) Joscelyn O’Neil (D) 87th District Ivy J. Green (D) Earnest L. “Coach” Williams (D) (I) 91st District Charles Hill (D) Vernon Jones (D)
DeKalb CEO Joe Bembry (D) Connie Stokes (D) Michael “Mike” Thurmond (D)
Nonpartisan General Election JUDGE OF STATE COURT (TO SUCCEED DAX E. LOPEZ) Roderick Bridges Dax Lopez (I)
Tax Commissioner (non-partisan) (To Fill the Unexpired Term of CLAUDIA LAWSON, RETIRED)
Irvin J. Johnson Susannah Scott Stan Watson
Democratic Party Questions
n Should private property on rivers and streams be protected by natural vegetative buffers to ensure that Georgia’s waters are swimmable, drinkable, and fishable? n Should Georgia automatically register to vote all legal and permanent residents upon issuance of a driver’s license or state-issued ID which includes an opt-out provision?
DeKalb Sheriff Geraldine Champion (D) Ted Golden (D) Kyle Keith Jones (D) Jeffrey L. Mann (D)(I) Michael Williams (D) DeKalb tax commissioner Irvin J. Johnson (D) Susannah Scott (D) Stan Watson (D) DeKalb Solicitor general Donna Coleman-Stribling (D) Nicole Marchand Golden (D) DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston (D) Robert James (D)(I) Nonpartisan General Election JUDGE, SUPERIOR COURT (TO SUCCEED GAIL C. FLAKE)
n Should Georgia invest less than 1% of Angela Brown its annual budget to provide healthcare Gail C. Flake (I) to 500,000 low-income citizens and Nonpartisan General Election military veterans by expanding Medicaid? JUDGE, SUPERIOR COURT n Should Georgia guarantee paid family (TO SUCCEED CLARENCE leave to include pregnancy, serious F “CHUCK” SEELIGER) illness, care of a family member with a serious health condition, or care for a Stephone Johnson newborn, newly adopted child or newly Clarence “Chuck” Seeliger (I) placed foster child?
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
B3
“In addition to the … tools we offer Georgians, we also work to ensure Georgians have safe, accessible, and fair elections in our state.” Through May 19, 12,548 of the county’s 377,561 active voters had cast ballots at early polls. All precincts will open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 24.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Ga. secretary of state expecting heavy turnout on May 24 By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Election day is four days away and voters now have to pick. On the ballot are races for DeKalb CEO, sheriff, tax commissioner, district attorney, solicitor general, county commissioners, judges, and state representatives, and a state senator. Forty-four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination. Most will win their seat or office with the primary because they have no Republican opposition in the fall. Through Thursday, 12,548 of the county’s
377,561 active voters had cast ballots at the early polls. Friday was the last day of advance inperson voting. All precincts will open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Secretary of State Brian Kemp said Thursday that he was expecting heavy voter turnout on election day. “We have already seen significant turnout for early voting both by mail and in person,” he said. “I expect turnout to remain high on election day when most Georgia voters head to the polls to cast their ballots.”
Lists of qualified candidates for county, state and federal races are available at www. dekalbvotes.com. Maxine Daniels, DeKalb’s election director, reminds voters to bring photo identification with them to the polls. The “My Voter Page” or “GA Votes” app also allows voters to check their registration status, view their sample ballot, find their voting location, or request an absentee ballot. On election day, voters also can use SOS social media to report irregularities or election complaints.
Kemp said complaints are promptly reviewed by the office’s Investigation Division’s P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement officers, and if warranted, officers will open a formal State Election Board investigation. Complaints also can be made at the “Stop Voter Fraud” website and hotline at 1-877725-9797. Kemp said communication with Georgia voters is key. “In addition to the informational resources and tools we offer Georgians, we also work to ensure Georgians have safe, accessible, and fair elections in our state,” he said.
Join the movement for a new DAy. Vote
SHERRY BOSTON
Amb. Andrew Young
Endorsed by: Sen. Gail Davenport Sen. Emanuel Jones Sen. Elena Parent Rep. Stacey Evans Rep. Billy Mitchell Rep. Taylor Bennett Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams Fmr. Rep. Tonya Anderson Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett
Rep. Stacey Abrams
Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson Commissioner Kathie Gannon Commissioner Joan Garner Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson Commissioner Jeff Rader Fmr. CEO Liane Levetan Fmr. DA J Tom Morgan Fmr. DA Bob Wilson
Congressman Hank Johnson
Reform DeKalb Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council DeKalb County Fraternal Order of Police NewPowerPac Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys Advocates for DeKalb Animals Favorable rating by Georgia Equality
Join the DeKalb Community in Supporting Sherry Boston for a new DAy Vote in the May 24th Democratic Primary
www.sherryboston.com
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CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
“I get results. Every year I have been DA, we have had some of the biggest cases for the county.”
DA: I am a good prosecutor, have a lot of compassion By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
In one of his campaign mailers to voters, incumbent District Attorney Robert James describes himself as “gang-busting and toddler-cuddling.” He also includes a photo of him kissing his son, Robert James III. He stays on message on his campaign stops too, introducing himself as a husband, father, family man, son of a preacher and teacher, and elder at the Ray of Hope Christian Church. “I love family, I love children. I love this community,” he told voters at the Cross RoadsNews May 16 forum. “I want to continue to protect your family, your children, your neighborhoods, the same way I fight to protect my family, my children.” James, a 16-year prosecutor who has been DA for six years, is facing his toughest fight yet for the DA’s office from challenger DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston. He says he wants to continue being DA because he loves DeKalb. “I have given everything I have to this county,” he said, pointing out that he started the county’s first public integrity unit, investigated 41 public officials and employees, and started the first human trafficking unit and first elder abuse unit, James says he believes that black lives matter and made the tough decision to indict a police officer (Officer Robert Olsen who shot and killed the naked Anthony Hill) even though he works with police officers every day. “I made the decision to do it because I believe he crossed over the line,” he said. To critics who says he should have indicted more people, James says he is constrained by the facts of the law.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb District Attorney Robert James, who is being challenged by DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston, speaks at the May 16 forum at New Life Baptist in Decatur.
“My job is prosecute, not to chase news stories,” he said, adding many times investigations point to misconduct, but that misconduct does not rise to the level of criminal activity. Boston said that there is pervasive perception in the community that some leaders have not been held accountable and that the DA has not always been transparent. “When you have that type of perception, it is important that you have a district attorney who is going to respond to that perception,” she said. She said citizens should not have found out that James was not going to indict anyone else from the special purpose grand jury
presentment in a news report. “What would have been helpful to the community was to have that information as soon as it was made aware,” she said. “It is important that we make sure, as public officials, that the public feels like the things they are most concerned about are being handled. Once you have completed the investigations, you have got to let people know what is going on.” James said that there was no evidence to indict. “I don’t make up evidence,” he said. “My job is to take the evidence that is there and charge the case if the evidence warrants it.” James said that he had two people work-
ing in his public integrity unit to investigate all the corruption that was happening in the county at the time. “I asked for three years to get an additional person,” he said, adding that he finally got the position last September, “So the perception that I have all the staff and I am sitting on this evidence is just not true,” he said. James said the grand jury only recommended that one person be indicted. “They recommended investigations on everybody else,” he said. James said he didn’t indict former Commissioner Elaine Boyer because his office did not have jurisdiction over 98 percent of her crimes. He also said that he did not want to use a racketeering statute to prosecute P-card crimes and that his office was not privy to her embezzlement. Even if the federal government asked James to stand down, Boston said it does not change the fact that there were crimes taking place in the county and the information was not shared until a question was asked at a forum. James defended keeping citizens in the dark. “One of the biggest parts about being a prosecutor is to know when to keep your month shut and having discretion,” he said. “One thing I am not going to do is to go out into the public and say I am investigating Commissioner X or Representative Z or Senator so and so.” James said the voters should keep him. “I get results,” he said. “Every year I have been DA, we have had some of the biggest cases for the county. I have never lost a jury trial in this county. I believe I am a good lawyer. I am a good prosecutor, but I also have a lot of compassion.”
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
B5
“I wholeheartedly believe that I can do a better job and I think our county was craving it.”
Boston: DeKalb is not getting all that it can out of the DA By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Two years ago when friends began telling Sherry Boston that she should run for DeKalb district attorney, it was not an easy sell. Boston, who has been DeKalb’s solicitor general for five years, was enjoying the successes she was having running an efficient office that lawyers are clamoring to join. Plus she did not relish running against incumbent Robert James, who was unopposed for his 2012 re-election for his first full term of office. Boston said she thought long and hard about taking on the challenge. “I settle on this very question – which would I regret more – running and losing, or not running at all,” she said. “I am not the type of person to sit down, do nothing, and wait for chips to fall where they may. I am absolutely the kind of person that go, ‘You have got to stand up and do what you think is right, regardless of the risk.’” She ran because she said DeKalb County is not getting all that it can out of its district attorney. “I wholeheartedly believe that I can do a better job and I think our county was craving it – not just in this position but in many positions,” she said. “This county was craving new leadership and people were craving for someone to fight for them and be a voice for them.” At a May 16 forum co-hosted by CrossRoadsNews, New Life Baptist and the Rotary Club of South DeKalb, she told the audience of 160 people that she is running to bring integrity and leadership to the office and to reprioritize what the DA’s office does. “I want to bring integrity by operating at the highest level of accountability and transparency,” she said. “I want to show that I am a proven leader so to make sure that all cases are handled efficiently and properly.” Win or lose – everything will change for her and the county where she wishes to be top prosecutor. If she succeeds, Boston will only be the second woman and the third African American to fill that office in DeKalb County. If she doesn’t, it will be the end of her public career, at
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston, who is seeking the DA’s office, told a May 16 forum that she is running to bring integrity
least for a while. On the campaign trail, Boston and James have clashed over the issues of integrity, leadership and experience. Boston has slammed James for his ethics violations and fines. Last September, James paid $2,850 in ethics fines and penalties for not filing campaign and personal disclosures for four consecutive years between 2012 and 2015. James says he didn’t file because he didn’t raise any money. Boston said he is the county’s top prosecutor and the laws were made for everyone, including him. James has made a point of saying Boston lacks prosecuto-
rial experience. “He didn’t have any experience when he first became DA,” she said, pointing out that both of them graduated from law school the same year, 1999. They have battled over the McDuffie lawsuit filed against James and DeKalb Sheriff Jeff Mann and unnamed DeKalb employees of both offices. Darrick McDuffie, who was arrested in a shooting case, was cleared by the victim’s affidavit, but he spent 581 days – from Nov. 6, 2012, to April 19, 2014 – in the DeKalb Jail. The final 52 days of his incarceration came after James’ office dismissed the case against him on Feb. 26, 2014. Boston succeeded James in the Solicitor General’s Office when Gov. Nathan Deal, who had passed her over for a State Court judgeship but was impressed with her, appointed her to the office that James left to run for DA. Even though Boston and James run the county’s prosecuting offices – she for misdemeanor crimes, and he for felony crimes and cases go back and forth between the offices, Boston said they never developed a good working relationship because James had favored someone else for the job. “So it means we don’t have any real partnerships,” she said. “That’s a shame and a disservice to the county.” Boston plans to change that if she becomes DA. “I look forward to being district attorney and having the most comprehensive, expansive relationship that will allow the work in this county to be done extremely well and collaboratively,” she said. The solicitor’s office has 100 employees and a $7 million budget. The DA’s office has 150 employees and $13 million budget. Boston said running the DA’s office is like running a large law firm. If she wins, she said the first thing she will do is take a long hard look at the office’s structure, management and, most importantly, the morale. “The morale of the office, as I understand it, is very low,” she said, adding that it was the same when she arrived at the solicitor’s office after James. “At the end of the day, the office needs leadership and they need a leader they can believe in,” she said.
Why is Rod Bridges No Longer a Judge?
Judge Bridges Lopez
1.
Former Judge Rod Bridges UNLAWFULLY ordered the arrest of a defense lawyer without cause.
2.
A COMPLAINT ǁĂƐ ĮůĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ZŽĚ Bridges for the ILLEGAL arrest
3.
Former Judge Rod Bridges was SUSPENDED for 5 months and then was REMOVED ĨƌŽŵ ŽĸĐĞ
A Judge’s job is to uphold the law, not break it.
DeKalb Deserves Better! Re-Elect Our Judge
Dax Lopez
www.daxfordekalb.com lopez 10.1x8 bridges.indd 1
Nominated by President Obama
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10+ Year Resident of DeKalb County
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CrossRoadsNews
B6
May 21, 2016
44 candidates in 17 contested races Dekalb chief executive officer
Joe Bembry
Connie Stokes
DeKalb District Attorney
Sherry Boston
Robert D. James (I)
Tax commissioner
Michael Thurmond
Irvin J. Johnson
Board of commissioners, district 4
Sharon Barnes-Sutton (I) Steve Bradshaw
DeKalb Solicitor General
Donna Coleman-Stribling Nicole Marchand Golden
State Representative (82) (D)
Mary Margaret Oliver (I)
Brian Westlake
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kyle Jones
Susannah Scott
Board of co
Kathie Gann
Lance Hammonds
United States Senate (D)
Jim Barksdale
State Representative (84) (D)
Rahn Mayo (I)
Stan Wats
Renitta Shannon
Cheryl Copeland
John F. Coyne III
State Representative (86) (D)
Michele Henson (I)
Joscelyn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
B7
Polls open May 24 â&#x20AC;˘ 7am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7pm DeKalb County Sheriff
son
Geraldine Champion
Ted Golden
ommissioners, district 6
non (I)
Warren Mosby
Kyle Keith Jones
Roderick Bridges
Toney L. Collins
Clarence Seeliger (I)
Superior Court Judge
Dee Dawkins-Haigler
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coachâ&#x20AC;? Williams (I)
Stephone Johnson
Dax Lopez (I)
State Representative (87) (D)
Ivy Green
Michael Williams
Superior Court Judge
State Court Judge
State Senate (43) (D)
Tonya P. Anderson
Jeffrey L. Mann (I)
Angela Brown
Gail C. Flake (I)
State Representative (91) (D)
Charles Hill
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Vernon Jones
David Neville
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CrossRoadsNews
B8
May 21, 2016
The winner of the race will go up against Republican and former DeKalb Reserve Lt. Harold Dennis in November.
Low employee morale consume sheriff ’s challengers
By Donna Williams Lewis For CrossRoadsNews
Employee morale emerged quickly as the focus of a DeKalb County sheriff ’s candidates forum in Decatur this week. Sheriff Jeff Mann called rumblings of morale issues a “false premise.” “There’s always this morale problem during election time,” he said. “It never comes up during non-election time.” Retired DEA Special Agent Ted Golden responded that morale is indeed low. He added that of five candidates on the panel, four had been uniformed law enforcement officers, throwing a barb at Mann. “It’s very difficult for anyone to take leadership of any department when they haven’t walked the walk,” Golden said. Mann was elected in 2014 to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Thomas Brown, who left office to challenge Hank Johnson for his congressional seat. Mann has been with the Sheriff ’s Office since 2001, working in labor relations and legal affairs until his promotion to chief deputy under Brown. In that position, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the office, 860 full-time employees and an annual budget of more than $78 million. All five Democrats vying for the job appeared at New Life Baptist Church for the May 16 forum sponsored by CrossRoadsNews, New Life Baptist Church and the Rotary Club of South DeKalb. Retired Atlanta Police homicide Detective Geraldine Champion, former DeKalb Sheriff Lt. Kyle Jones and law enforcement Officer Michael Williams join Mann and Golden on the ballot for the May 24 primary. The winner of that contest will go up against Republican and former DeKalb
Geraldine Champion (from left), Ted Golden, Kyle Jones, Sheriff Jeff Mann and Michael Williams participate in a May 16 forum at New Life Baptist in Decatur.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Reserve Lt. Harold Dennis in the Nov. 8 general election. Dennis’ presence at the forum was acknowledged. He was not invited to participate on the panel because he is uncontested. Mann said he is executing the missions he set in 2014 such as increasing staff development, expanding technology and reducing the level of warrants. “We have continued to maintain a national Triple Crown accreditation of distinction awarded by the National Sheriffs’ Association, and we will continue to do that,” Mann said. Asked to name three challenges the Sheriff ’s Office faces, candidates spoke mainly about matters relating to officer morale, alleging lack of training, pay raises and paths to fair promotion and forced overtime. Williams, currently an investigator in
ing federal lawsuits for violation of the civil rights of DeKalb County inmates. Mann said his challengers’ allegations of employees not getting pay raises and being inadequately trained were “incorrect.” Mann praised Sheriff ’s Office employees in his closing remarks. “You don’t become one of the top sheriff ’s offices in the nation by accident,” he said. “You don’t receive the certifications and accreditations and go through the processes unless you’re viewed as the best. I’m proud of the work of the men and women who have done that.” Champion made several campaign promises in her final statement. Among them was this: “I’m going to give – I want this printed – a whole month of my salary to start a drug rehab program that doesn’t come up only during election,” Champion said. “These people need some help.”
the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, said deputies are “leaving in droves.” He wants the Sheriff ’s Office to become active in enforcing DeKalb County’s laws. “The truth be known, we’ve got to do something about it because the Police Department is already operating at a critical level,” he said. Champion said she will have an opendoor policy and meet monthly with employees and county citizens. Jones said he would work on the time it takes for inmates to be booked, review the treatment of inmates, and improve security of the jail and courts. Both he and Golden talked about working with youth. Golden said the Sheriff ’s Office needs to help “shut down that pipeline from the schoolhouse to the jailhouse.” Golden also hammered in on the treatment of inmates, saying there are 14 pend-
Devoted to a Better, Safer DeKalb I am ready to get to work for you: a lifelong connection to DeKalb County, extensive trial experience, day-to-day courtroom supervision and the balanced perspective of handling cases both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney prepare me. I can make a difference. We can build safer communities and more secure families together.
“Jim Barksdale is an authentic, caring and successful businessman who supports policies that promote prosperity for all, not just the wealthy. Jim has my wholehearted support to be Georgia’s next US Senator.” - US Rep. Hank Johnson Endorsed by: US Rep. Hank Johnson Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin GA House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams GA House Minority Chairman Virgil Fludd
“Donna Coleman Stribling is an exceptional candidate for Solicitor General. She is an experienced, seasoned prosecutor, and she is a product of DeKalb County with a passion to serve the citizens of DeKalb.” Congressman Henry "Hank" Johnson
GA House Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley GA Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick GA Rep. Brian Prince • GA Rep. Debbie Buckner Rev. Raphael Warnock
Vote Jim Barksdale Tuesday, May 24th
“I support Donna because she understands the importance of service. She believes in transparency and she has an unquestionable reputation of integrity and high moral values.” DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Johnson Vote for Donna in the Democratic Primary. www.DonnaForDeKalb.com
Paid for by Donna Coleman-Stribling for Solicitor, P.O. Box 360248, Decatur, GA 30036
Jim Barksdale Georgian. Democrat. Standing against the Washington crowd.
www.JimBarksdale.com
Paid for by Jim Barksdale for Senate
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
B9
The winner of the Democratic primary on May 24 will face Republican Jack Lovelace in the Nov. 8 general election.
DeKalb CEO candidates want to transform county By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Michael Thurmond wants to “change the trajectory” of the county and build a model community that others will look to emulate. Connie Stokes wants to put her experience to work for the county. Joe Bembry wants to dispatch 1,800 new police officers to fight crime. Only one of them will get to be the next DeKalb CEO. On May 24, voters must pick. Thurmond, a former DeKalb superintendent, state labor commissioner, and DeKalb Family and Children Services commissioner, is also a lawyer. Supporters drafted him to run in hopes that he can steady the county, much like he did with the DeKalb School District when it faced loss of its accreditation due to governance and other issues. The county that the new CEO will lead has been battered by a spate of corruption indictments. Suspended CEO Burrell Ellis, whom they will replace, has served time in state prison on a conviction for corruption, and former Commissioner Elaine Boyer is currently serving time in federal prison for misuse of county funds. Citizens are frustrated by the lack of economic development and curb appeal in South DeKalb. Thurmond told voters at a May 16 Vote 2016 Forum co-hosted by CrossRoadsNews, New Life Baptist Church and Rotary Club of South DeKalb that the county is facing many challenges but he is tired of hearing about how great it used to be. “If we come together and work together, we can make DeKalb as great as it has ever been.” Thurmond said we must have an open and transparent government that is focused
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb CEO candidates Michael Thurmond (from left), Connie Stokes and Joe Bembry speak at the May 16 forum at New Life Baptist Church in Decatur.
on serving the citizens. “I am convinced that working together as your CEO, with commissioners and people in this room, and all across this great county, we can rise above our differences, find solutions to seemingly intractable problems,” he said. “We will put real focus on improving our economic environment. We will create jobs for our young people. We will support our school system, and reduce crime.” Stokes, a former DeKalb commissioner and state senator, said she chaired the BOC’s budget committee for six years and is ready to run the county. “I am really passionate about public service,” she said. “I am running for office to create opportunities, to create jobs, to make sure that this is a safe place for us to live, that we can close our eyes at night and wake up
Re-Elect Judge Gail Flake Experience is Essential • DeKalb Superior Court Judge since 1993 • Former Judge of DeKalb State Court and Recorders Court • Graduate of Emory School of Law and Georgia Institute of Technology • 40+ year resident of DeKalb County
“I thank the citizens of DeKalb County for your continued support over the years and ask for your vote on May 24th and the privilege of continuing to serve you on the Superior Court.”
PLEASE VOTE
Judge Gail Flake - DeKalb Superior Court NON-PARTISAN PRIMARY May 24th
without someone kicking our door down.” Stokes, who spent 16 years between her two previous elected offices, said everywhere she goes, people are talking to her about public safety. “People just need to feel safe,” she said. Stokes said citizens want open and honest government and that most of DeKalb’s employees are honest, hardworking people. Bembry, who has run multiple times for CEO and for the DeKalb Commission and other offices, said that every direction he looks, he sees a mess. “I keep saying to myself if they had supported me way back when, we wouldn’t have none of this,” he said. Bembry said that “everything that’s done in this county is done wrong.” “That’s one of the first things we are go-
ing to have to address. Take the corruption problem,” he said. “I have been trying for the last 40 years to bring it to the light. I am about to bring it to the light.” Bembry said he wants to give county employees a 6 percent raise. Thurmond said that we need more police officers and more men and women working in the county’s 911 center. “It’s a shame that so many people call and can’t get their calls answered in a timely manner,” he said. Thurmond said that we must put young people to work. “When I was labor commissioner, I learned that the crime rate for young black males with jobs is the same as the crime rate for young white men with jobs,” he said. “We have to be about creating employment opportunity for young people and increasing the graduation rate.” Thurmond and Stokes promised that they will clean up the county and push for street sweepers to keep the curbs clean. Bembry did not answer the question, saying instead that he was just trying to get his message out about crime and corruption. He accused both of his opponents of protecting and shielding crooks. In his closing statement, Thurmond said that he has never been arrested, tried or locked up. “I know Ms. Stokes can say the same thing,” he said. “I don’t know about the other candidate,” Bembry, a Decatur businessman, has spent time in jail for code violations associated with the rundown conditions of some of his properties. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Jack Lovelace in the Nov. 8 general election.
CrossRoadsNews
B10
May 21, 2016
“People can’t grow businesses when others don’t have enough money to buy your cars, buy your houses.”
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
U.S. Senate candidate Jim Barksdale speaks with Cheryl Board (left) and Elaine Davis-Nickens.
Barksdale going after Washington By Ken Watts
ON MAY 24
Millionaire Jim Barksdale, who wants to leave the business world for the U.S. Senate, says the burdens of underemployment and income inequality hurt everyone. “People can’t grow businesses when others don’t have enough money to buy your cars, buy your houses,” he said. “People can’t grow business when people can’t pay their mortgages. That’s not good for anybody.” Barksdale is one of three Democrats vying for their party’s nomination in the May 24 primary. The others are AT&T manager Cheryl Copeland and businessman John F. Coyne III. James Knox, an information technologist, withdrew from the race in April. Barksdale stopped by the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting on May 18 to listen in on a panel discussion on the 2016 General Assembly session with state Reps. Pam Stephenson, Dar’shun Kendrick and Dee Dawkins-Haigler. Barksdale said after the meeting that U.S. free trade deals with Mexico, China and other countries lead to American companies shutting down factories in the United States and moving jobs overseas to exploit cheaper labor. “It’s very hard for an American worker to compete against a dollar an hour income or compete against someone who doesn’t have running water or an educational system,” he said. “We need to uphold our standard of decency in all our [trade] agreements.” Barksdale, 63, is president and chief in
vestment officer at Equity Investment Corp., which he founded in 1986. If he wins the nomination, Barksdale hopes to unseat Republican Johnny Isakson, 71, in the Nov. 8 general election. Isakson, who has been in the Senate since 2005, is facing opposition in the GOP primary from MARTA engineer Derrick Grayson and college professor Mary Kay Baccallao. Barksdale, who was born in Macon, has an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance. After several years in various corporate positions in the United States and Europe, he relocated his family to Atlanta in 1986 and begin his investment firm in a spare bedroom at his house. The firm now manages about $5 billion for clients across the United States. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson said Barksdale has the best shot against Isakson. Barksdale said that in his Buckhead neighborhood, down from the Governor’s Mansion, he has been fearless in standing up for what he believes in. In his television commercial, Barksdale says he is not a politician. “I am an investment manager who stood against the Wall Street crowd to protect my client’s retirements,” he said. “Now I am running for the Senate to stand against the Washington crowd.” Barksdale said data suggest that his ideas about social justice are gaining traction with voters. “This is going to be a much more competitive race than anybody expected,” he said.
Re-Elect Commissioner
SHARON
Barnes-
Sutton
Proven, Effective
Leadership
“Over the past 8 years I have worked hard and KEPT MY PROMISES to you. Now I ask for your SUPPORT and YOUR VOTE to continue the work of making DeKalb BETTER!” WĂŝĚ ĨŽƌ ďLJ &Z/ E ^ K& ^, ZKE ZE ^Ͳ^hddKE͕ /E ͘
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
B11
Two races will be on the May 24 ballot – a special election to replace Claudia Lawson and the Democratic primary.
Tax Commissioner candidates face two elections on May 24 Interim Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson and attorney Susannah Scott present their views at the May 16 forum at New Life Baptist Church in Decatur.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Watson was a no-show again By Donna Williams Lewis
For a political forum, it was rather refined. Interim Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson and attorney Susannah Scott answered questions about their qualifications for the tax commissioner’s job in a May 16 forum at New Life Baptist Church. Stan Watson, who resigned his Super District 7 County Commission seat to run for tax commissioner, was a no-show at the forum that was co-sponsored by CrossRoadsNews. Two tax commissioner races will be on the May 24 ballot – a special election to replace Claudia Lawson, who retired in December, and the Democratic primary for a new fouryear term starting in January 2017. During the forum, Johnson emphasized his 15-year experience in the tax office and the fact that the office is doing its job – to collect taxes and distribute tax funds. “Our tax office consistently year in, year out has been within this county and within the state of Georgia held up as a model tax office,” Johnson said. He said there is always room for improvement, but it would be hard-fought. “We collect currently 99 percent of the assessed taxes in the county,” Johnson said. Scott pushed public access and a “fresh perspective.” “I agree it is hard to improve on that kind
of … collection rate,” but the office can work better for the citizens, she said. Scott said she is aware that taxes can be paid online and at satellite self-service kiosks for tag and tax renewal that were recently introduced at two Kroger locations. “But if you have a problem and you need to talk to someone in the office, we need to make sure the office is accessible to you when you need it to be,” said Scott, who said extended or Saturday hours should be considered. Scott, daughter of late former Tax Commissioner Tom Scott, said she learned a lot about managing people and budgets through her work with the League of Women Voters and the Junior League in DeKalb County. Johnson began at the Tax Commissioner’s Office as a computer technician and was chief deputy of the office before becoming its interim director. “I started back in 2000,” Johnson said, “and I’m looking forward to continuing the reputation that we have in securing the future in terms of success, ethical behavior, transparency and long-standing performance.”
On May 24, Vote To Keep Judge Clarence Seeliger
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“JUDGE LOPEZ IS A HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WHO ENJOYS DEEP SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.”
May 21, 2016
www.daxfordekalb.com Re-Elect Judge Dax Lopez May 24, 2016
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Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
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Salute to the Class of 2016 May 21, 2016
Section C
www.crossroadsnews.com
We’re Out of Here!
5,859 DeKalb seniors bid farewell to high school
Jennifer Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb County high schools and academies will present diplomas or certificates of attendance to 5,859 students at graduation ceremonies over the next several days.
Jennifer Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Towers High seniors (above) help a classmate with his collar amid a plethora of medals and cords. At left, a Miller Grove senior is overwhelmed by the number of honors she has received.
Kelli Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews
A Druid Hills graduate captures memories for two classmates on three smartphones.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Stephenson High valedictorian Jodi Robertson (from left) and salutatorian Aurora Morton prepare to lead their classmates into pre-commencement exercises on May 15.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Sharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews
Redan High seniors listen to motivational speaker Keith L. “Mr. I’m Possible” Brown during their pre-commencement program.
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Graduation
May 21, 2016
“You will learn the meaning of duty, honor and country. And you will be asked to lead our nation’s soldiers, an awesome responsibility.”
2016 Graduations
Countywide, up to 5,859 DeKalb County seniors will receive diplomas and certificates of attendance at commencement exercises.
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 Reporters Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Brenda Camp Yarbrough Donna Williams Lewis 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.
Circulation Audited By
School Seniors Arabia Mountain 286 Cedar Grove 227 Chamblee Charter 300 Clarkston 296 Columbia 280 Cross Keys 218 DECA 52 DeKalb School of the Arts 63 Destiny Achievers Acad. of Excellence N/A Druid Hills 271 Dunwoody 343 Elizabeth Andrews 180 Lakeside 437 Lithonia 305 Margaret Harris Comprehensive 12 Martin Luther King, Jr. 356 McNair 168 Miller Grove 321 Redan 235 Southwest DeKalb 299 Stephenson 366 Stone Mountain 217 Towers 229 Tucker 398 Total 5,859
salutes
Date Friday, May 27 Saturday, May 28 Friday, May 27 Thursday May 26 Thursday, May 26 Wednesday, May 25 Saturday, May 21 Monday, May 23 Sunday, May 22 Saturday, May 21 Thursday, May 26 Wednesday, May 25 Saturday, May 21 Saturday, May 21 Friday, May 13 Saturday, May 21 Monday, May 23 Friday, May 20 Saturday, May 21 Monday, May 23 Thursday, May 19 Thursday, May 19 Saturday, May 21 Saturday, May 28
Time 6 p.m. 10 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 9 a.m. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 10 a.m.
Location New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Georgia State University Chamblee Charter High School Avondale Georgia State University Sports Arena North DeKalb Stadium Berean Christian Church Emory / Schwartz Performing Arts Ctr New Life Community Church Georgia Dome North DeKalb Stadium New Beginning Full Gospel Church Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church Georgia State University Sports Arena Margaret Harris Comprehensive New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Greater Travellers Rest Baptist Church Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Infinite Energy Center New Birth Missionary Baptist Chruch Georgia Dome Greater Travellers Rest Baptist Church New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
the
Class of 2016
best wishes as you embark on your new journey
May 21, 2016
Graduation
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“You are the hope of our future, but more than that, we believe in you.”
Class of 2016 gets OK to be successful in college, life By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
It’s the season to celebrate grads – freshfaced young people, proud of their accomplishments and eager to embrace the future. This week, 5,859 DeKalb seniors will march to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to receive their diplomas and take flight this fall to colleges and universities across the state, the South, the country and even the world. The ceremonies got underway May 13 with the graduation of 12 seniors at Margaret Harris Comprehensive School. They continue through May 28 when Tucker High’s class of 398 will cap the season at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Melvin Johnson, DeKalb School Board chairman, said the ceremonies represent both an end and beginning for the graduates. “They worked hard to Melvin Johnson accomplish this goal,” he said. “They stuck to their vision. They are prepared to take any path they choose.” The 2016 graduation ceremonies culminate the students’ 12-year journey through the DeKalb School District, which has refocused its energies on instruction and has been increasing graduation rates. This week, the counter was still running on the Class of 2016’s many accomplishments and the millions of dollars it is racking up in scholarship offers as students head to pursue careers in medicine and engineering and to hunt for the cure for diseases like diabetes and cancer, which plague so many in our community.
Sharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews
Miller Grove High School expects to deliver diplomas or certificates of attendance to 321 seniors at graduation ceremonies this year.
District 5 School board member Vickie Turner said she can barely contain her excitement when she looks out from the podium at the sea of bright young faces. “It’s a wonderful feeling seeing the joy.” Turner, who will be Vickie Turner releasing diplomas at Destiny Achievers Academy, Martin Luther King Jr., Southwest
DeKalb, Arabia Mountain and Miller Grove high schools, said these graduates can create the future they want because of the preparation they have received. “They are ready,” she said. “I feel hope. I am overwhelmed with the possibility of hope for them.” If she could talk to each graduate, Turner said she would tell them “we are counting on them.” “You are the hope of our future, but more than that, we believe in you.”
Johnson, who is releasing diplomas at Stephenson, Lithonia and DeKalb Early College Academy, said he sees the future in the graduating class. “I am imagining how they will bring change to the world,” he said. “I see doctors who will be keeping me healthy in a few years. I see lawyers. I see the president of the United States, and I am so optimistic. I see young people who will make this world a better place.” School Superintendent R. Stephen Green, who is graduating his first crop of DeKalb seniors, will attend five of the 22 ceremonies. On his schedule are Stone Mountain High’s May 19 ceremony at the Georgia Dome; MLK Jr. High’s May 21 and Tucker High’s May 28 ceremonies at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church; McNair High on May 23 at Greater Travelers Rest; and Cross Keys High’s May 25 ceremony at North DeKalb Stadium. At the Towers pre-commencement ceremony on May 15, alumnus Deadrick Leonard, who was homeless for part of his high school career, told members of the Class of 2016 to spread their wings and fly. “Don’t be stuck on Glenwood Road,” he told them. “Don’t stop at I-285. It’s not where you Deadrick Leonard come from – it’s where you are going.” Leonard told the class that their current position is not their “concrete conclusion.” “It’s OK to be successful,” he said to applause. “Don’t celebrate too hard on this graduation. It’s the first of many. Mama, you don’t have to cry at my high school graduation. Cry at my doctorate.”
Debra DeBerry Clerk of Superior Court DeKalb County
Congratulations DeKalb County Graduating Class of 2016!
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Graduation
May 21, 2016
Today’s graduates, the most technologically advanced in the world, will be tomorrow’s teachers and judges, job creators and civic leaders.
Here’s to the ‘Future’ grads – make a world of difference By Dr. R. Stephen Green
Advice to the Class 2016 – from a special guest Welcome, Class of 2016! I’m the Future. Let’s have a little talk. The first thing you need to know about is where you’re headed with your new diploma. It’s global out there. We’re connected to- R. Stephen Green day, all of us, the whole world, by technology and trade and a trillion other invisible strings. The worldwide web isn’t just in your computer. I predict the Class of 2016 is ready for this global future. You’ve already benefited in DeKalb County School District from a great get-ready gift – 135 schools and 102,000 students from 180
I predict that new friends, relationships, families, and challenges ahead. Life will have rough spots. But you have learned something important in school – to persevere. nations and with 144 languages. You’ve gone global without even knowing it. Since I’m the Future, I feel qualified to make some predictions about your class. Some will go to college. Some will start careers. Either way, you’re prepared. You’ve worked hard to achieve something that most human beings on planet Earth won’t ever be able to have – you’ve earned a high school diploma.
I predict that new friends, relationships, families, and challenges ahead. Life will have rough spots. But you have learned something important in school – to persevere. That algebra course didn’t kill you after all. Neither did those wind sprints … nor that term paper. In fact, those tests made you stronger. You developed the mind and soul fire that the Future now requires – a Future that will belong to men and women of rigor, relationships and relevancy. As the Future, I predict you’ll look back with great gratitude toward family, friends, and folks who helped you along the way. You’ll be courageous … and dare to take risks … because your teachers in life showed courage and daring too. As the Future, I predict you’ll stay upto-date on technology … even as it changes like a kaleidoscope. Your cars will drive themselves. Virtual reality will allow you to
pet dinosaurs or play on other planets. You’ll do things nobody before in human history ever dreamed of. You’ll read a book. Sing a song. Say thanks. I predict you’ll remember and respect your civic responsibilities. You’ll register to vote. You’ll know what’s going on in your community and country. You’ll choose good leaders. Why? That’s the easiest prediction of all. Because that’s what the Class of 2016 does. You’re here to make a world of difference. Congratulations to you … and here’s to the Future. Dr. R. Stephen Green is CEO and superintendent of the DeKalb County School District. He joined the district in June 2015 and this is his first graduation as the district’s superintendent.
2016 Simon scholars hail from Columbia and Chamblee High schools
Fariha Akthar
A. Andrews
Mamadou Barry
Sixteen students from Chamblee Charter and Columbia high schools are the Simon Family Foundation’s Atlanta Scholars of 2016. The program, created to help economically disadvantaged students who face difficult life circumstances advance themselves through a college education, starts in the summer before a student’s junior year in high school. Students receive a notebook computer, SAT/ACT preparation course, academic support, college coaching, annual college tour, and leadership and life skills training. They participate in scholar team-building events
Tyrell Chaney
Tai Sampson
Mahir Haque
Etana Sena
Brandon Hardy
Tagnina Shama
and community service projects. Students who successfully complete their high school graduation and are in good standing with the Simon Family Foundation
Tamar Harrison
Griffin Hines
Mutasem Shopon Curtis Tucker
can continue into college with their Simon Scholars College Scholarship. These $16,000 college scholarships (up to $4,000 per year) are awarded as needs-based scholarships –
Joseph Lee
Sara Rountree
defined as being “last dollar in” after all other financial assistance has been computed. The Chamblee Charter High scholars are Fariha Akthar, Mahir Haque, Griffin Hines, Joseph Lee, Tai O’Neal Sampson, Sara Rountree, Tagnina Shama, and Mutasem Shopon. The Columbia High Simon Scholars are Alexandria Andrews, Mamadou Barry, Tyrell Chaney, Brandon Hardy, Tamar Harrison, Chasmia Hill, Etana Sena, and Curtis Tucker. For more information, visit http://simonfamilyfoundation.net/scholarships/simonscholarship-program.
Dunwoody, Decatur High seniors recognized as 2016 Georgia Scholars Dunwoody High senior Matt Bieber and Decatur High senior Nathan Tumperi are 2016 Georgia Scholars. They are among 151 graduating seniors from schools across the state who received the desig- Matt Bieber nation announced by the Georgia Department of Education. Through the Georgia Scholar program, the department 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 Nathan Tumperi 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 scholars. “These students have worked extremely hard and have engaged with all aspects of the educational process, with the result that they are truly ready to learn, ready to live, and ready to lead,” Woods said. “They have exemplary academic performance but they’ve also gained soft skills by taking on leadership roles within their schools and communities.” Students eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition are high school seniors who
Three awarded Thornton Memorial Scholarships Three DeKalb seniors are going to college with $5,648 in scholarships from the James L. Thornton Memorial Scholarship Fund. Arabia Mountain resident salutatorian Tije Wilkins was awarded $2,516, and her classmate Donavon Ellison got $1,816. The third-place scholarship for $1,316 went to Li- Donavon Ellison Kiya Stanford Tije Wilkins thonia High senior Kiya Stanford. The awards were presented May 10 and had any moving violations in the past 12 12 to the students who had to write an essay months. The scholarship fund, established by about safety, have at least a 3.0 GPA and be in good academic standing. If they have a Lovell and Ora Thornton, celebrate the driver’s license, the student must not have memory of their son James, who was a rising
senior at Lithonia High when he was killed in an auto accident in August 2002. Since its launch 14 years ago to benefit Lithonia High School seniors, the Thorntons have awarded 36 scholarships totaling more than $70,000. This is the first time the scholarship was open to DeKalb seniors who do not attend Lithonia High. Seniors from Arabia Mountain, Miller Grove and Martin Luther King Jr. high schools may now apply. For more information, contact Lovell or Ora Thornton at lovellt@mindspring.com or 770-981-3606.
exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, in community activities, and in the home. They are students who have carried exemplary course loads during the four years of high school; who performed excellently in all courses; who successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and in their communities; and who have assumed active roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools. For the complete list, visit www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/ communications/Pages/PressReleaseDetails. aspx?PressView=default&pid=423.
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May 21, 2016
Graduation
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The GMS program has greatly enhanced the value society places on them, not only as students, but as professionals, citizens and leaders.â&#x20AC;?
15 DeKalb seniors makes Gates Millennium Scholars final class students of color from low-income backFifteen DeKalb County seniors are going grounds,â&#x20AC;? he said in a May 2 statement. to college and universities this fall on full-ride â&#x20AC;&#x153;Further, by changing deeply rooted perGates Millennium Scholarships. ceptions about the educational potential of The seniors from 11 high schools are part these young women and men â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not just Gates of the final new class of Gates Scholars for the Millennium Scholars, but all high-achieving $1.6 billion program that launched in 1999 students of color â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the GMS program has and will fund its final scholar through the greatly enhanced the value society places on 2028-29 school year. them, not only as students, but as professionThey include three 2016 valedictorians Mati Alemayehu Alice Cer Tin Mawi Tamar Harrison Kamal Hughes KaTerra Johnson als, citizens and leaders.â&#x20AC;? and two salutatorians. With its $1.6 billion grant, Last year, 17 DeKalb students received the scholarships. the Gates Millennium ScholSince 2006, 140 DeKalb seniors have benefited. 2016 Gates Millennium Scholars Through years arship program is the largest The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal was selecting 20,000 students nationSince 2006, 140 These 15 DeKalb County students will attend college single scholarship program in ally to receive Gates Scholarships. DeKalb students have on full-ride Gates Millennium Scholarships, funded by the the country. More than 5,000 Nationally, 1,000 high school seniors, including 90 Georbeen Gates Scholars. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. African American, American gians, landed scholarships this year from a field of more than Student High School DeKalb Indian/Alaska Native, Asian 53,000 applicants. Year Scholars American/Pacific Islander or DeKalbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2016 recipients are Jordan Jeffers, Arabia Mounn Jordan Jeffers Arabia Mountain 2016 15 Hispanic American seniors are tain; Mati Alemayehu (salutatorian-Magnet) and Marcus n Mati Alemayehu Chamblee Charter 2015 17 attending undergraduate and Strickland, Chamblee Charter; Alice Mawi (salutatorian) n Marcus Strickland Chamblee Charter 2014 16 graduate institutions on Gates and Meh Paw, Clarkston; Tamar Harrison (valedictoriann Alice Mawi Clarkston 2013 12 scholarship annually. Resident), Columbia; Adela Lopez and Jeremy Medina, Cross n Meh Paw Clarkston 2012 15 The final new class comes Keys; Yizra Ghebre, DeKalb Early College Academy; Genisis n Tamar Harrison Columbia 2011 20 from 45 states, the District of Fortner, Druid Hills; Kamal Hughes (valedictorian), Litho2010 12 Columbia and five U.S. ternia; KaTerra Johnson (valedictorian), McNair; Julian Walton, n Adela Lopez Cross Keys 2009 7 ritories. Gates Millennium Stephenson; and Tro Nguyen and Haniel Paulos, Tucker. n Jeremy Medina Cross Keys 2008 9 Scholars have gone on to be Gates Scholars must demonstrate financial need. Once n Yizra Ghebre DeKalb Early College Academy 2007 13 Marshall Scholars, Rhodes selected, they can use their scholarships to pursue undern Genisis Fortner Druid Hills 2006 4 Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, graduate and graduate degrees at accredited colleges or n Kamal Hughes Lithonia Total 140 Gates Cambridge Scholars and universities of their choice. n KaTerra Johnson McNair White House Fellows. Scholars are enrolled in more than 1,100 private and n Julian Walton Stephenson Larry Griffith, UNCFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior vice president of programs public schools nationally, including Ivy League colleges, and student services, said the 2016 Gates Millennium Scholflagship state universities, UNCF-member historically black n Tro Nguyen Tucker ars have already demonstrated that students from these colleges and universities, and other institutions serving n Haniel Paulos Tucker backgrounds are rich in talent and that they excel at the minority students. highest levels in any of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colleges and universities The Gates Millennium program, funded by Microsoft Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, said the they choose to attend. founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, through their Bill â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am confident that this cohort of extraordinary students and Melinda Gates Foundation, was set up to fund 20,000 foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment in the Gates program has reached far beyond the students who have participated directly. will add to the depth and breadth of the GMS program and students from low-income backgrounds through college. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has strengthened UNCFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to create the continue to carry out a longstanding legacy of academic The United Negro College Fund, which administers the program, will continue to manage it through its UNCF next generation of leaders and allowed us to leverage other excellence,â&#x20AC;? he said. substantial gifts that will also positively impact deserving For more information, visit www.gmsp.org. conclusion in 2028-29.
The Gallery at South DeKalb Congratulates the Class of 2016 A TO Z KIDS
JIMMY JAZZ
Eureka White, Clayton State University
Jaylan Gaines, High School Diploma
AGENDA
KIDS FOOTLOCKER
Amber Johnson and Antania Mack
Kiashiah Newsome
AUNT ANNEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
KWYS
Christopher Williams, McNair High School
Roshianda Williams, Georgia Cyber Academy
BUSTER BROWN
LADY FOOTLOCKER
Natayla Jenkins, Southwest DeKalb High School
Carrington Smith, Stevenson High School
CHAMPS SPORTS
MACYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
Asad Daniely, Atlanta Metropolitan College
Moesha Bonner, DeKalb Early College Academy
DTLR
MANDARIN EXPRESS
Alayshia Grisham, Tucker High School Ashanti Richardson
Thuy Duong, Norcross ICT
Jamarcus Tolbert and Phajja West
Chelsea Njambe, High School Diploma Tytiana Fluter, High School Diploma
Columbia High School
Southwest DeKalb High School
MLK High School Nakyra Hill, Decatur High School
GAMESTOP Victoria Tarver, Art Institute of Atlanta
FOOT ACTION Canthassa Moulate,
Atlanta Metropolitan College
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
2016 Spring Commencement Announcement
Southwest DeKalb High School
MIX & MATCH
UNDERGROUND STATION/JOURNEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Nyzae Heath and Imani Kennie
Cedar Grove High School Janni Stegal, South Atlanta High School Aaliyah Nottingham, Clark Atlanta University
ZOO RIDES Mignon Finley, Cedar Grove High School
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
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Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Boulevard, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Equal Opportunity Institution
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Graduation
CrossRoadsNews
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“It’s quite an accomplishment and all our students and their parents should be justifiably proud.”
Five DeKalb seniors land nominations to U.S. service academies Five DeKalb high school seniors have been nominated to U.S. military service academies class of 2020 by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson. The nominees to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., are Dorsey Beckless and Edgar Woods, Miller Grove High; Beka Dufera, Tucker High; and Brandon Hines, Stephenson High. Isaac Church, from Druid Hills High, was nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. They are among 23 nominations from the 4th District that includes portions of DeKalb, Newton and Gwinnett counties and all of Rockdale County. Johnson said his office hosted 24 information meetings before he made the nominations. He said the nominations are among the most important jobs they do each year. “The nomination process is not easy,” Johnson said. “It’s a long road, and I congratulate all our nominees.” Since 2007, 4th District nominees have grown from three students a year to 20 and 4th District students have been awarded more than $18 million in service academy scholarships. Johnson said that all of the 2016 nominees are at or near the top of their class in academics, athletics and community service. “It’s quite an accomplishment and all our students and their parents should be justifiably proud,” Johnson said. The 4th District also nominated Lifahn Adams, Heritage High; Joshua Denton, Brookwood High; Nakayla Smith, Newton High; and Christopher Stoves, Parkview High to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Nominees to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., are Riley Eck, Grayson High; Artice Hobbs, Newton High; Ayden Martin and Trontavious Tate, South Gwinnett High; Micah Williams, Seoul American
Rep. Hank Johnson’s nominees for U.S. military academies include Brandon Hines (above) and (from far left) Beka Dufera, Edgar Woods and Isaac Church. Dorsey Beckless also received a nomination.
High; and Maxwell Grum, St. Pius X Catholic High. The nominees to the U.S. Air Force Academy are Michael Bauh, Shiloh High; Devon Canterbury and Sierra Durden, South Gwin-
nett High; Blake Davis, Rockdale County High; and David Hagler and Andrew Rankin, Brookwood High. The nominations to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy include Getwon Butler,
Salem High, and Alexander Zielinski, Ben Franklin Academy. For more information, visit hankjohnson. house.gov/serving-you/military-academynominations or call 770-987-2291.
Wall Street trailblazer Suzanne Shank to address GPTC graduating class Tr ail bl a z ing Wal l Street municipal bond trader Suzanne Shank will deliver the keynote address to graduates at the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Spring Commencement on May 21. Suzanne Shank Shank, who is the first African-American female to lead a publicly traded financial institution on Wall Street, is a Georgia native and Georgia Tech alum.
She is chairwoman, CEO & co-founder of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., one of the nation’s top municipal bond underwriting firms, which has completed more than $2 trillion in municipal, corporate bond and equity transactions. She is also regularly quoted on the financial markets by CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Wall Street Week. GPTC’s Spring Commencement ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Nearly 2,000 students will get diplomas and certificates during the ceremony.
GPTC President Jabari Simama said the college is delighted to have Shank as commencement speaker. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be inspirational to our students and guests,” he said. “Ms. Shank is a trailblazer who is committed to giving back to the community, with a focus on students in particular.” Shank, who serves on the advisory board to the president at Georgia Tech and the graduate board of trustees for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania,
said she is honored to have been invited. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and an MBA from the Wharton School. “I am impressed with the high standards and the quality of education the students receive at this institution,” she said. “This student-centered college is preparing its graduates to succeed in a global economy.” Doors open at 9 a.m. and the event is open to the public. The ceremony takes place in the Georgia Ballroom. The Congress Center is at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. N.W.
28 DECA grads also get degree Chemists honor Arabia Mountain senior Twenty-eight DeKalb Early College Academy students, including highachievers Kharina Scrubb, Yizra Ghebre and Amira Daughtery, are graduating twice this month. The students, who attended high school and college simultaneously, had their first ceremony on May 6 at the Georgia World Congress Center with Georgia State University Perimeter College’s Class of 2016. Their second will be their high school graduation on May 21 at Christian Church in Stone Mountain. Twenty-eight DECA students earned enough college credits to graduate with their associate degree. Kharina graduated with highest honors from GSU Perimeter College. Yizra is a Gates Millennium Scholar, and Amira is DECA’s salutatorian and a Coca-Cola Scholar. This GSU Perimeter College class is the first for the consolidated institution. It included 2,175 graduates, ranging in age from 17 to 76 and representing 116 countries. Most graduates received degrees this year for business administration, health sciences, psychology, nursing and computer science. Peter Lyons, college vice provost and dean, told them they hold a special place in history. “No graduates in the 50 years before today and none after today can lay claim to your title as the first graduating class of Georgia State University Perimeter College,” Lyons said. Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter College consolidated into a single institution in January to create the largest university in the state of Georgia, with more than 50,000 students. For more information, visit https://perimeter.gsu.edu.
Arabia Mountain Hig h senior Nicole O’Dell’s research into cellular healing has won her first place in the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers National Competition and recognition from U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson. Nicole, a student in the Lithonia school’s Environmental, Energy and Engineering Magnet, also participated at the 2016 White House Science Fair. Her project explored the effects of low-dose radiation in furthering understanding of cellular U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (left) presented Arabia Mountain senior Nicole O’Dell biology, replication, inju- with a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for her award-winning ry, and cellular healing. work. They are joined by Arabia Mountain Principal Rodney Swanson.
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
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The Class of 2016 Valedictorians & Salutatorians DeKalb’s Top Scholars There will be 5,859 seniors 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 the 50 valedictorians and salutatorians of the 2016 class. These are the two students with the highest grade point averages in their school. They rose to the top with hard work and a commitment to excellence.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
The DeKalb County School District’s 50 valedictorians and salutatorians were surprised with a gift of Lenova ThinkPads from the district at a recognition ceremony on May 5.
Talented, well-rounded, and setting examples for others The 50 students who topped the Class of 2016 with the highest grade point averages were celebrated by the DeKalb School District at its annual Valedictorian and Salutatorian Recognition Ceremony on May 5. Superintendent R. Stephen Green told the class that while everyone who graduates will receive a diploma, they have the special distinct honor – the title of valedictorian or salutatorian. “You have worked hard in and out of the classroom,” he told them. “You are talented, well-rounded and set an example for others to follow. You excel academically, but you are leaders as well as scholars.” Green acknowledged that the students success would not be possible without the help of the village – their parents, grandparents and other extended family members – who were there for them through the best of times and the worst of times. “These are the people who encouraged you and sacrificed and never gave up on you,” he told them. The 2016 val and sal class mirrors DeKalb’s incredible ethnic diversity. Among the class are students who arrived in the district as late as middle school with little grasp of English but rose to the top of their class. Girls continue to dominate, accounting for 37 of the 50 top spots. Among the 25 schools, they took 17 of the valedictorian slots. The vals and sals included STAR Student and HOPE, Gates Millennium, National Merit, Zell Miller, Simon and Posse scholars. The GPAs ranged from 3.9 to 4.4, and one student, Chamblee Charter High School Magnet valedictorian Aomeng Cui, scored a perfect 2400 on the SAT. While they are academically gifted, the top students
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Superintendent R. Stephen Green (left) drapes a medal around Chamblee Charter Magnet valedictorian Aomeng Cui. District 5 School Board member Vickie Turner (above center) and other school officials help distribute Lenovo ThinkPads.
were no bookworms. They are athletes, excelling on the soccer field, in track and field, cross country, swimming and golf. They kept busy participating in extracurricular organizations like the National Honor Society, Beta Club, student government, FBLA, DECA and other groups. They are musicians, tutors, and some held part-time jobs even as they took multiple AP courses in everything from history to biology and mathematics and burned the midnight oil to complete their class assignments and prepare for tests. Together the valedictorians and salutatorians amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars in
scholarships and earned numerous honors and awards. Green, assisted by District 5 School Board member Vickie Turner and other school officials, draped medals around their necks and the district surprised them with the gift of Lenovo ThinkPads. Green told the students that while they have reached an important milestone in their lives, graduating high school is just the beginning. “You are certainly ready to continue your journey,” he said. “We are proud of you and expect to hear great things about your successes in the future. This is your well-deserved moment, and we congratulate you.”
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Valedictorians
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May 21, 2016
Salutatorians ARABIA MOUNTAIN
Valedictorian (M)
Salutatorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Salutatorian (R)
Adenike Olagbegi
Anton Turner
Quincey Wilson
Tije Wilkins
Adenike Olagbegi is following in the footsteps of the aunt who inspired her as she heads to Emory University to major in biochemistry and prepare for a career in public health as a research specialist. The DeKalb County Scholar Athlete has a 4.1 GPA. She was a varsity tennis player and a member of the International Club, cycling club and National Beta Club. She also volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium. She was part of a team that went to the state Science Fair and she is the recipient of an American Chemical Society Scholarship. She also earned 21 hours of college credit through a dual enrollment program at Georgia State University. “I’ve just always want to get ahead,” Adenike said.
Anton Turner sums up his secret to success in two words. “Working hard,” he said. “That’s it, I guess.” Anton earned a GPA of 4.2 and a Zell Miller Scholarship. He plans to major in engineering at Georgia Tech and become a computer software engineer. He’s a member of National Honor Society, National Beta Club and the Technology Student Association. A dual enrollment student at DeVry University, he has earned an associate’s degree in network systems administration. At commencement, Anton will challenge his classmates to “make our mark on this world and make the world a better place.”
Quincey Wilson decided in the sixth grade that he would be valedictorian of his class. “It’s just about time management and making sure you rest well,” he said. Captain of the varsity track and field team, Quincey is an eight-time national medalist with a GPA of 4.433. He is a Student Ambassador, an officer on the varsity debate team, president of the Student Government Association, and a member of many school leadership organizations. Quincey will attend Georgetown University on a track and field scholarship. He plans to major in political science, minor in journalism, become a corporate lawyer and open his own law firm by the age of 35.
Tije Wilkins has a nice jump on college, graduating with an associate’s degree in network systems administration from DeVry University through the dual enrollment program. Tije has a 4.397 GPA and is a member of National Beta Club and National Honor Society. She plans to major in biological sciences at the University of Georgia and to become a clinical veterinarian. Her career choice arose from seeing a neighbor horribly abuse his cat. The police officer who responded to her call thanked her. “He said we have to be the voice for animals,” Tije said. Tije will study at Georgia State University’s Academy for Future Teachers this summer.
Clarkston
CEDAR GROVE
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
LaDéSha Jenkins
Chloé Lemons
Taejah Harper
Alice Cer Tin Mawi
A student internship at Grady Memorial Hospital inspired LaDéSha Jenkins’ career choice. LaDéSha, who has a 4.03 GPA, admired the dedication of Grady’s medical staff and now she is headed to Clark Atlanta University to major in biology. “I was impressed with the way they interacted with patients in need and the experience helped me make up my mind to become a primary care physician,” she said. She received the Comcast Leaders and Achievers scholarship but passed up a full scholarship from Edward Water College in Jacksonville, Fla. LaDéSha is a youth pastor at Building on the Word of God Ministries. She also works as a mime.
Chloé Lemons is eyeing a career as a college professor and she will enroll at Clayton State University on a full tuition Zell Miller Scholarship this fall to major in mathematics. Her plan is to earn a Ph.D. and fulfill that dream. Throughout high school, she worked part time as a math tutor, and she said that inspired her to go into teaching. Chloé, who has a 4.01 GPA, was awarded a Make a Difference Scholarship. She was president of the National Honor Society and a member of Cedar Grove’s gymnastics team. At Cedar Grove’s May 28 commencement, Chloé will tell classmates “to stay focused on their goals and to never give up.”
Taejah Harper zipped through high school with a busy schedule that included varsity cheerleading, running track and being active in Family Career and Community Leaders of America. She earned 30 college credits in a dual enrollment program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, where she is on the dean’s list, and she holds down a job at Chick-fil-A. Through it all, she has earned a 4.2 GPA. Taejah was awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships and is headed to the University of Georgia where she plans to major in broadcast journalism. She aspires to become a TV news anchor. “I love watching the news every day, all day,” Taejah said.
When Alice Cer Tin Mawi arrived in the United States in 2011, she spoke little English. Five years later she is the salutatorian with a 4.179 GPA. She is also a Gates Millennium Scholar and has been offered scholarships totaling about $350,000. “God is with me,” said Alice, who plans to attend Agnes Scott College. She’s thinking of majoring in a social science field. Alice says a reading competition for a laptop computer in eighth grade was a huge key to her success. Before that, she had no computer and no access to the internet. “I said, ‘I’m going to win that thing,’ ” she said, and she did.
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
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chamblee charter
Valedictorian (M)
Salutatorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Salutatorian (R)
Aomeng Cui
Mati Alemayehu
Mutasem Shopon
Joseph Lee
Aomeng Cui scored 2400 – the only perfect SAT score among the DeKalb County School System’s 2016 graduating classes. Aomeng, who has a GPA of 4.443, is headed to Columbia University to study chemistry and research on her way to earning a medical degree or a Ph.D. She’s well-prepared for college, having taken 16 AP classes. An avid reader, musician, poet, math team captain and prolific volunteer, Aomeng said her graduation speech will focus on broadening one’s interests. “Try to be brave and push yourself out of your limits and boundaries,” Aomeng will say, “because you’re the one who perceives them being there.”
Mati Alemayehu, who believes in challenging himself, has completed 17 AP classes. He is a Gates Millennium Scholar and a Ron Brown Scholar. Mati has been a member of the math team, Science Olympiad and the Science Bowl. He has participated in the Student Government Association and has volunteered at the Clarkston Community Center and at the Center for Pan Asian Community Services in Doraville. He is headed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he will major in bioengineering. He’ll always remember a science teacher who had a significant ethical focus. His takeaways from that class: “Be concerned,” Mati said. “Be empathetic.”
Except for one B, Mutasem Shopon has been a straight-A student for all of high school. Summer trips to his parents’ homeland of Bangladesh inspired Mutasem’s dream of becoming a physician and building a hospital in Bangladesh that will offer free care. This fall, Mutasem, who has a 4.25 GPA, will follow a pre-medicine track and major in biology at the University of Georgia on a full tuition Zell Miller Scholarship. Mutasem, who is also a Simon Scholar, is very active with Community Action for Teens, an afterschool program at the Center for Pan Asian Community Services. “All that I have, and all that I hope to have, I owe to my parents,” he said.
Growing up in low-income surroundings fueled Joseph Lee’s passion for community service. He plans to follow a pre-medicine track at either Georgia Tech or Emory University and wants to minor in community-building. A Simon Scholar and 2015 Bank of America Student Leader with a 4.25 GPA, Joseph is president of Community Action for Teens, an after-school program at the Center for Pan Asian Community Services. He’s a member of National Honor Society and National Beta Club and is senior leader of the Chamblee Vex Robotics team, to which he brings a humanistic approach. Joseph’s graduation speech will focus on the importance of having support and “thriving with love.”
columbia
Valedictorian (M)
Salutatorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Salutatorian (R)
Shemar Little
Kiara Bell
Tamar Harrison
Cierston Atkins
Shemar Little is bound for the University of Georgia this fall to study biology and psychology on a full Zell Miller Scholarship. Shemar, who has a 4.138 GPA, wants to become a doctor. To prepare, he participated in the Emory Discover Program at Grady Hospital last summer. “Observing the emergency room doctors piqued my interest in the medical field,” he said. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and the Senior Student Council. To succeed, Shemar said he had to manage his time well and stay up late to study. “Whenever I did, my parents stayed up late with me,” he said.
When she was younger, Kiara Bell’s famous grandfather, Kenneth Reades, often took her with him to the sports clinic when he went for treatment of injuries sustained playing football for the Atlanta Falcons, Cardinals and the Steelers. “I loved how interactive it was,” she said. Kiara will enroll at Kennesaw State University this fall to study exercise science and prepare to become a physical therapist. At Columbia, she cheered and danced and was a member of the Beta Club, DECA, FBLA and yearbook editor. A first-generation college student, she said she will tell her classmates to be self-starters and stay focused on their goals.
Tamar Harrison, who is a Posse, Gates Millennium and Simon scholar, already has her sights set on a career – pediatrician. She is headed to Brandeis University on a $200,000 full scholarship to major in health science, society and policy, and biology. Tamar, who has a 4.0 GPA, took six AP courses, is vice president of the National Honor Society, participates in the Beta Club, and runs cross country. She said high school taught her many lessons. “I learned patience, flexibility and to be resourceful. It taught me punctuality and time management and to be respectful of other people’s time.” She will tell classmates “don’t let other people discourage you.”
Cierston Atkins plans to go into journalism and will enroll at either Georgia State University or Clark Atlanta University to major in mass communications. Cierston, who has a 3.9 GPA, was awarded a $2,500 Pepsi Funk Fest/Lifting As We Climb Scholarship. Cierston stayed busy in high school playing volleyball and soccer and participating in DECA, Distribution Educational Clubs of America. She said DECA helped her meet new people and develop entrepreneurial skills and prepared her for college. “One day I plan to own my own business and give back to the less fortunate,” she said.
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Valedictorians
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Cross Keys
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
David Nguyen
Agnele Sewa
David Nguyen wants to be a software engineer in the video game industry, and to that end, he will begin software engineering and development studies at Kennesaw State University this fall. David’s goal is to tap into the video games and computer effects market in the movie industry. “I’ll be the guy who can ‘recode’ software that has been tested or even released to the public so it performs without problems,” he said. David, who has a 4.107 GPA, is his school’s STAR Student. He has a $1,000 Cross Keys Foundation Scholarship. He is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, the National Honor Society, and the Cross Keys Student Council and did track and field.
Agnele Sewa was inspired to pursue a career as a biochemist by her memories of being sick with a fever as a small child in her native Togo, West Africa. “I knew I wanted to help others who are suffering from illness.” Agnele’s family settled in DeKalb County in 2007. She excelled in math and science and finished high school with a 4.036 GPA. She’ll major in biochemistry at Brandeis University on a $200,000 Posse Foundation Scholarship. She is a member of the Recycling Club, Math Club, the National Honor Society, the Beta Club and Skills USA. She is trombone section leader in the Marching Indians and in the concert orchestra. Agnele will offer classmates a way to cope with life’s setbacks.
DECA
By Donna Williams Lewis
Aomeng Cui got a perfect 2400 score on the SAT on the one and only time she took the exam. She is Chamblee Charter High School Magnet valedictorian with a GPA of 4.443. She is a National Merit Scholar and Math Team captain, and she competed as a finalist at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Arizona last week. Through it all, DeKalb County’s top STAR Student is still a typical teenager who enjoys chocolate and talking with friends, her mother, Guiying Cui, said. “My daughter is really a very active person,” she said. “She’s happy. She’s energized. She always smiles. She was prom queen.” Wait, what? “It was also a surprise for me,” Aomeng said. “I mean, I’m not really sure how it happened.” Aomeng’s AP English Literature and her STAR Teacher, Adrienne Keathley, said Aomeng is “really very passionate and kind.” “She is gorgeous inside and out,” she said, “but she is so humble.” Keathley, who enjoys discussing literature with Aomeng, said she defies every stereotype often attributed to people who excel in math and science. “She’s not left-brained or right-brained. She’s the whole brain,” Keathley said. “She’s a wonderful girl, and I can’t wait to see what she does.” Aomeng was accepted to Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University. She decided on Columbia University and plans to earn an M.D. or a Ph.D. She’s very interested in chemistry and in research, having participated in science fair every year since seventh grade. Her seventh-grade project: “The Effect of Cotyledon Removal on Peanut Embryos.” For the past four years, Aomeng has been researching aspects of cystic fibrosis, inspired by a neighbor who suffers from the genetic lung disorder. Lydia Adle, her counselor at Chamblee, said Aomeng is one of the most driven students she has ever seen.
“Her course load, test scores, and activities are truly astonishing,” Adle sai where she finds the time!” As for that perfect SAT score, “I thin bination of me working pretty hard the I took it, and luck,” Aomeng said. Aomeng has taken 16 AP classes AP classes this semester in English lite government, computer science, biology nomics. She also took two other classe – multivariable calculus and German 6. She is secretary of the Student G sociation and has volunteered prolifica
DEKALB SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Aaliyah Stoudemire
Amira Daugherty
Christina Burgess
Nasreen Abd Elal
Aaliyah Stoudemire leaves high school with an associate’s degree in psychology from Georgia State University Perimeter College through the dual enrollment program. She made the college dean’s list in 2015 and in 2016. Aaliyah earned a 4.35 GPA while serving as a mentor for freshman DECA students and participating in martial arts, chess club and the National Honor Society. She has received the UGA Merit Award and Language Arts Award. She will major in biology or psychology at the University of Georgia and plans to become an obstetrician-gynecologist. Her graduation message to her class: “Be prepared, instead of scared, for the future.”
Amira Daugherty’s career goal was set at the age of 8 when her mother suggested she dress up as a lawyer for Career Day. She plans to major in political science and minor in economics at Agnes Scott College. Later, she hopes to enroll in Stanford University’s JD/MBA joint-degree program and eventually become a judge. Amira has a 4.45 GPA and an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University through the dual enrollment program. She has been named a UGA Merit Scholar, the DECA STAR student and Georgia Mock Trial Most Outstanding Attorney. She also received a $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholarship.
Even though Christina Burgess majored in piano with a minor in vocal music, she is on her way to Georgia Tech on a full scholarship to study biomedical engineering. “I hope to work at the CDC in a research capacity to find a cure for diabetes,” she said. She was moved to act after noticing the toll the disease has taken on some of her relatives and on her South DeKalb community. Christina, who has a 4.214 GPA, caught the eye of Georgia Tech when she nailed nine AP courses, including calculus and statistics. She has received a $10,000-ayear Zell Miller Scholarship and an AT&T Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community Advancement scholarship for $2,000.
Nasreen Abd Elal is not sure yet what her major at Columbia University will be, but she knows she is interested in the humanities and social science. Nasreen, who has a 4.137 GPA, will be a John Jay Scholar at Columbia. In high school, she majored in creative writing with a minor in graphic design and created every show poster and program during her five years at DeKalb School of the Arts. She also passed eight AP courses, including psychology, macro, and micro economics. Nasreen serves on the Students for the Performing Arts council and is editor of the 2015 and 2016 yearbooks. She is co-president of the school’s Gay/Straight Alliance.
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& Salutatorians meng Cui nails perfect SAT score, heads to Columbia U
Aomeng Cui is a published poet, a violinist in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, a prom queen, and a hospital volunteer, among her extracurricular and community service activities. She also scored a perfect 2400 on the SAT.
“She’s not left-brained or right-brained. She’s the whole brain. She’s a wonderful girl, and I can’t wait to see what she does.” Adrienne Keathley, Aomeng’s AP English Literature and STAR Teacher
extracurricular National Honor Society. She tutors her peers in AP Gerid. “I don’t know man and AP Calculus. Aomeng has volunteered every high school summer nk it was a com- in local hospitals, first at Grady, and then at DeKalb e summer before Medical for the past three years. A tragic experience at Grady inspired Aomeng’s current career path. She was assisting the family coordinator in the Mars, including six erature, physics, cus Stroke and Neuroscience Center when a patient who y and macroeco- had been in a car accident suffered a stroke and died. “I was extremely moved by her family and just how es this semester strongly affected and destroyed they were by what had . Government As- happened to her,” Aomeng said. “Through that experience I realized I wanted to play a ally through the
larger role in guaranteeing the well-being of others,” she said. “If I could work as a physician and do research in neuroscience, have patient interaction and do research at the same time, it would be the best of both worlds.” It would also be, to some extent, following in her parents’ footsteps. Aomeng was born in Shenyang, China, where her father, Hong Cui, was a surgeon. Her mother was a researcher who taught at China Medical University. The family moved to the United States when Aomeng was 4 years old. Her father works in transplant surgery at Piedmont Hospital. Her mother is a researcher at Emory University. Aomeng is their only child. Guiying Cui said they are “very open parents” who didn’t try to control their daughter. But they did have rules designed to promote good habits such as reading and time management. One of those early rules was limiting television to a couple of hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Now that she can watch TV whenever she wants, Aomeng really doesn’t. She reads voraciously, and her mother says that books were the only gifts she’s requested for Christmas and her birthdays. She is a published poet who relaxes by going to bookstores or the library or listening to music, which is
DRuid hills
another of her many fortes. Aomeng has played violin in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra for four years and served one year as assistant concertmaster of Georgia’s All-State Orchestra. She is an exceptional pianist who has achieved Superior Plus Ratings in the Musically Advanced category of the National Federation of Music Clubs Piano Competition. Counselor Adle said Aomeng is inquisitive and persistent, fully experiencing everything she can. This summer, Aomeng will spend seven weeks in South Korea learning the Korean language on a scholarship from the National Security Language Initiative for Youth, a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. “What I find most interesting about Aomeng is her willingness to try new things,” Adle said. “She has accomplished so much in her high school career, and I can only imagine what she will do in college and beyond.” Aomeng is imagining that future as well and has begun looking into public policy involving health care. Ultimately, she hopes to have an impact on a global scale. “I want to change the world,” Aomeng said, “not only in one way, but in a myriad of ways.”
dunwoody
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Sarajane Crawford
Zoe Beato
Parul Rai
Caroline Kish
Sarajane Crawford always aims high – and this time her sights are set on NASA. That’s where she wants to work when she is older. Until then, and starting this fall, Sarajane, who loves math and science, will be studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech on a full tuition Zell Miller Scholarship. Sarajane, who has a 4.4 GPA, is a member of the International Baccalaureate program and the first recipient of the International Skills Diploma Seal STAR Student award for Druid Hills. A triplet, she will graduate with siblings Anabel and Frankie, who are also in the top 10 percent of their class at Druid Hills.
This fall, Zoe Beato is headed across the pond to attend the University College Dublin in Ireland. She plans to become a doctor and will study biochemistry on a $12,000-a-year scholarship. Zoe has never been to Ireland but she applied to the school because she wanted to travel and live abroad. Her AP courses included psychology, macro economics, environmental science, and world history. She was also a member of the International Baccalaureate program. Zoe, who has a 4.40 GPA, says she wants to be an oncologist. “I’ve always really liked science and a profession where I can help people and make the world a better place,” she said.
A career in medicine is in Parul Rai’s future and she is headed to the University of Texas at Dallas to study neuroscience on a premed track. “Neuroscience and the practice of neurosurgery are rapidly advancing fields, and I would like to be a part of the discovery process.” Parul, who has a 4.5 GPA, is a STAR Student, National Merit Scholar and National AP Scholar. She speaks Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese. She enjoys playing the piano and violin, dancing, and running on the cross country team. She will reflect on the highlights of the high school experience. “I will use those highlights to inspire my peers to strive for a bright future,” she said.
Caroline Kish wants to become a doctor and travel the world. Caroline, who has a 4.4 GPA, will attend Georgia Tech in the fall. “I will major in international affairs and modern languages on the premed track because I love traveling and hope to become a medical doctor,” she said. The Governor’s Honors Program finalist for German has received the Zell Miller Scholarship. She is captain of the swim team and first chair alto saxophone. “I would most like people to know that I love adventure and experiencing new opportunities,” she said. In her salutatory speech, she said she’ll talk about experiences the Class of 2016 shared together.
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May 21, 2016
Salutatorians lithonia
lakeside
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Rishi Chakraborty
Sri Bhat
Kamal Hughes
Dominique Jones
Rishi Chakraborty, who is interested in robotics and mathematics, will attend Georgia Tech in the fall on a full-tuition Zell Miller Scholarship. Rishi, who will study mechanical engineering/applied mathematics, is also a National Merit Scholar. In his senior year, he was a member of Lakeside’s winning “High Q” team.
Sri Bhat, a STAR Student, is headed to Georgia Tech this fall on a full-tuition Zell Miller Scholarship. He was also awarded a National Merit Scholarship. Sri, who earned a 4.38 GPA, will study math and computer science at Georgia Tech. He was a member of Lakeside’s 2016 “High Q” winning team and has competed every year since seventh grade in the state technology fair, claiming several first place awards. In March, he won first place in the 2016 Georgia Educational Technology Fair for writing all the programming codes as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and C Sharp for the 2016 presidential election website he created.
Kamal Hughes is intrigued with medicine and the human mind and it is leading him to Georgia State University this fall to start to study psychology and/or pre-medicine. “I plan to become a psychiatrist,” says Kamal, who has a 4.22 GPA and a full-ride Gates Millennium Scholarship to see him through college. Kamal, who is a STAR Student, also had a $5,000 Emma Elsie Schell Dudley Leadership Memorial Scholarship. He is a member of the National Beta Club, Technology Student Association and the National Society of Black Engineers.
Dominique Jones wants to help people understand and become more accepting of themselves, so she plans to become a psychiatrist. She is headed to Georgia Southern University to study biology with a minor in psychology on a full-tuition Zell Miller scholarship. Dominique, who has a 4.2 GPA, also landed another $73,000 in funding from Stetson Academic Scholarship, Wingate Academic Scholarship, and the University of Miami Academic Scholarship. When she arrives at GSU, she will already have 52 college credits gained at Clayton State University. An avid volleyball player, she is a University of Georgia Merit Scholar and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
martin luther king jr.
ronald e. mcnair
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Marissa Wilson
Mary Ragin
KaTerra Johnson
Taylor Welch
Marissa Wilson is considering scholarship offers from three Alabama colleges – Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M and Alabama State. She will major in pre-medicine or biology and public health. She plans to become a doctor and, eventually, U.S. Surgeon General. Her career path was inspired by a program on obesity she watched in health class. “I want to make sure kids get quality, nutritious foods,” she said. Marissa, whose GPA is 4.1, took six International Baccalaureate classes this year. She is president of the Student Leadership Committee of PTSA and National Spanish Honor Society and vice president of the Norman Thomas Jr. Choir at First Baptist on Gresham Road.
Mary Ragin is headed to the University of Georgia, where she plans to major in biology. She wants to become an obstetrician. “I love babies,” Mary said. “It’s interesting to me to see life come into the world and be a part of that.” Mary has a GPA of 4.07. She is a member of the National Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America. She’s also sound engineer for her church, Rainbow Community Church of God in Decatur. Mary said her graduation speech will commend her classmates for surviving many changes at their school over the past four years. “It’s time to be focused on our future,” she said.
KaTerra Johnson earned a 4.06 GPA to top her class. She is headed to Georgia Southern University on a Gates Millennium Scholarship. She will major in psychology and plans to become a sports psychologist. KaTerra is a Georgia Merit Scholar and a member of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy. She was National Beta Club vice president and National Honor Society president. She was captain of McNair’s softball and soccer teams for two years. In her graduation speech, she will urge her classmates to lead lives of community service. “Be the change you wish to see,” she said.
Taylor Welch, who has a 4.01 GPA, will attend Kennesaw State University, where she will major in biology for two years, then transfer to the University of Georgia to work toward a career in prosthodontics – the restoration and replacements of teeth and other parts of the mouth. “I’m a friend of art and I like the way art and science combine in prosthodontics to create products that help people,” Taylor said. Taylor was trombone section leader for McNair’s marching and concert bands. She was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, the McNair High Art Club, the Chik-fil-A Leadership Academy and a participant in the Upward Bound college preparatory program.
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
Valedictorians
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Salutatorians
Miller Grove
redan
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Xavier Washington
Michayla Thomas
Kia Smith
Nekabari Ereba
Xavier Washington, who is going to Yale University to major in political science, hauled in more than $1.7 million in scholarship offers. Xavier, who has a 4.125 GPA, plans to become a political analyst and politician. Xavier was president of Miller Grove’s 2016 Senior Council and Senior Class and vice president of National Honor Society and the Superintendent’s Student Adviser for Miller Grove. A drum major, he played tuba, saxophone and bassoon in the Marching/Symphonic/Jazz Band. In his valedictory speech, Xavier said he will encourage his classmates to change the harmful stereotypes placed on black youth and young people in general.
Michayla Thomas has a clear vision of the world and her role in it as an agent for peaceful change. Michayla, who earned a 4.089 GPA, is headed to Stetson University to major in international business with a minor in Korean language. “I also intend to learn Mandarin and Arabic,” she said. “My career goal is to become an ambassador for the United States of America.” Michayla has a Faculty Scholarship and Citizen Grant from Stetson. In her speech to her classmates on graduation day, Michayla has one message. “We have already begun to leave our mark in this world,” she said, “and we should never stop paving the way for others to follow.”
A varsity basketball player throughout high school, Kia Smith has been recognized as a Scholar Athlete, with one of the highest GPAs among DeKalb County high school athletes – 4.145. Her busy agenda has also included serving as vice president of the National Honor Society and as a member of the Beta Club, Student Council and Miss Ladies of Redan. Somehow, she also found time for her job at Zaxby’s. How did she do it? “Time management,” Kia said. “I had to balance my time between all the activities I was doing. I had to stay focused.” Kia plans to major in biology at Dillard University and to become a pediatric physical therapist.
When her sister became co-salutatorian of Redan High’s Class of 2012, Nekabari Ereba decided she wanted to make it to the top, too. Nekabari has taken six AP classes. She has been a member of National Beta Club and treasurer of the National Honor Society. She has been recognized as a University of Georgia Merit Scholar, has a 4.09 GPA, and is Redan’s 2015-2016 STAR Student. Nekabari plans to study chemical engineering at UGA. The Nigerian native wants to prevent the petroleum industry oil spills that have destroyed farmlands and forests in the Niger Delta. “I want to find ways to extract oil so these oil spills don’t happen anymore,” she said.
southwest dekalb
Valedictorian (M)
Salutatorian (M)
Valedictorian (R)
Salutatorian (R)
Hannah Huff
Gabrielle Latimore
Taylor Beard
Jayda Fareed
When she was 5 years old, Hannah Huff told her parents that she wanted to be a veterinarian. This fall, Hannah, who has a 4.2 GPA, will enroll at the University of Georgia to study animal science and follow her dream. She has prepared herself well. For the past four years, she has been a Voluteen at Zoo Atlanta, giving 730 hours of service. She also spent summers at Tuskegee University working with animals. A dual-enrolled student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, she played varsity soccer. Hannah earned the AP Scholars of Distinction Award and was awarded a $9,000-a-year Zell Miller Scholarship, which will cover her annual tuition at UGA.
This fall, Gabrielle Latimore will follow in her mother’s footsteps and enroll at Spelman College. “I grew up around it, and I love the idea of a sisterhood of black women,” she said. She plans to major in English, minor in film and cultural studies, and pursue a career in journalism. Gabrielle, who has a 4.1 GPA, passed six AP courses and was a dual enrollment student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. An accomplished flutist, Gabrielle has been section leader in the Marching Panthers and first chair of Southwest DeKalb Wind Symphony’s flute section since junior year.
All of her high school career, Taylor Beard knew that she wanted to become a chemical engineer. “I am good with math. I am good with my hands and I love solving problems,” she said. This fall, she and her 4.03 GPA are off to Millsap College in Jackson, Miss., to study chemical engineering. Taylor was a member of the French Honor Society and National Honor Society. She was captain of the lacrosse team and received an academic athlete award for having the highest GPA on the team. She was also the county’s All-Star Athlete for Softball. She plans to play lacrosse at Millsap, which gave her a full-ride academic scholarship.
A knee injury and two concussions on the soccer field convinced Jayda Fareed that she should pursue a career in sports medicine. She’s on her way to the University of Georgia with exercise science and sports medicine as her major. Jayda, who has a 4.0 GPA, also played softball throughout high school. She was captain of the soccer team in junior and senior year and was academic team leader, earning a 2016 All County Academic Award for making sure her team had the highest GPA. She passed six AP course in U.S. and world history, language, government, calculus and macroeconomics and still found time to be president of Health Occupation Students of America.
CrossRoadsNews
C14
Valedictorians
&
May 21, 2016
Salutatorians
Stephenson
stone mountain
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Jodi Robertson
Aurora Morton
Erin Terrell
Cung Nei Kim
Jodi Robertson knew she would have to “give it my all” if she wanted to achieve her Ivy League goal. With a GPA of 4.161 and seven AP classes to her credit, Jodi succeeded. She is wait-listed for Harvard University. Cornell University is her alternate. Jodi plans to major in history and math and minor in French and chemistry. She wants to become a lawyer, a math professor, a history professor and a part-time chemist. She has been a member of Mu Alpha Theta and other honor societies, and she has an AP Scholar award, Georgia Merit Scholar, ART STAR award, STAR Student Award, Yale Book Club Award and the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award.
Aurora Morton said she wasn’t on a mission to reach the top of her class. “It just kind of happened,” she said. “I just did my work and studied.” Her work included four AP classes, and the obligations of membership in the National Beta Club and National Honor Society. She was also a cheerleader for three years for Stephenson’s basketball and football teams. Aurora has a 4.1 GPA and has received the University of Georgia Merit Scholar Award. She plans to major in biology at Georgia State University and become an obstetrician-gynecologist. “I like babies and dealing with the moms,” she said.
A U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete, Erin Terrell will attend Georgia State University on an academic scholarship. She’s thinking about majoring in psychology because she’s interested in helping people figure out the causes of their behaviors. She is a Superintendent Scholar with a 4.143 GPA and was awarded her school’s Valerie Spann-Browner Humanitarian Scholarship. Erin has played varsity basketball and varsity softball. Outside of school, she sings in the chorus at Decatur’s St. Jude City of Faith Church. Erin said enduring relationships helped her succeed. “When others give you encouragement, it sparks that internal flame you have inside,” she said.
Cung Nei Kim wants to be a Christian leader who helps people around the world. She plans to major in Christian ministry and minor in nursing at Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla. A native of Burma, Cung came to the United States speaking very limited English in 2010. She overcame that to earn a 4.0 GPA and goes to Bacone equipped with college credit earned through dual enrollment at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. She has been a member of the National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Technology Students of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Family Career Community Leaders of America and the Stone Mountain High School Math Club.
towers
tucker
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
Jennifer Luong
Stephanie McCrary
Jamal Harris
Jonathan Beaver
Jennifer Luong picked Wesleyan University after visiting too many colleges to count with the help of her school’s College AIM program. She will major in biology but is undecided about her ultimate career goal. Jennifer, who has a 4.11 GPA, got a full-ride scholarship from the university. She was also awarded the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship and is the first in her family to go to college. At Tucker, she took AP world history, language, biology, calculus AB, literature and macro-economics. In her graduation speech, she will tell her classmates not to listen to naysayers but to explore adventures and be open to what the world offers.
Stephanie McCrary will spend the next four years at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. Her 4.09 GPA helped her land a full-ride scholarship valued at $64,015 from the school that was introduced to her by College AIM. She plans to study business in hopes of becoming a CEO of a major corporation, traveling the world on business and launching a nonprofit to help get kids in her Decatur neighborhood off the streets. She was vice president of the Young Ladies of Purpose, a member of Family Career & Community Leaders of America and a Youth Vibe Student Ambassador. She plans to tell her class not to go along with cliches: “It’s OK to dream because dreams can become reality.”
Jamal Harris, who topped his class with a 4.43 GPA, is on a mission as he plots the academic route to a career in medicine. He will attend the University of Georgia Honors College, where he will major in environmental health science degree on a premed track. “I want to become a doctor because I think it is one of the best ways to serve those who are in need. Health care is something that everyone deserves. It is an unalienable right for all people.” He has UGA Charter, Livvy’s Love and Oglethorpe Power scholarships. He plans to quote Gandhi: “‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.’ I also want to convey the importance of being thankful for all those who work tirelessly for their success.”
Jonathan Beaver has known since childhood that he wants to be an engineer. Now he is headed to Georgia Tech with a 4.36 GPA to decide on which branch of engineering – mechanical, chemical, civil and electrical – he will pursue. “I’ve always been good in math and science. Engineering combines those skills to solve a lot of the world’s problems.” Jonathan also plans to become involved in Georgia Tech’s student organizations that focus on helping the Atlanta community. At Tucker, he was active in the National Honor Society, the Beta Club, the International Baccalaureate Club, and French Club. He was also a member of Tucker’s varsity baseball and swim teams.
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
Graduation
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More scenes from DeKalb pre-commencement exercises
Sharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews
Members of Miller Grove’s senior class react with enthusiastic applause as valedictorian Xavier Washington receives an award during pre-commencement exercises in the school’s gymnasium.
Kelli Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Members of the Lithonia High senior class are shown in the gym. They will graduate on May 21 at the Georgia State University Sports Arena.
Sharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews
Tucker’s 398 seniors gather in a hallway prior to lining up for their pre-commencement exercise at Rehoboth Baptist Church.
Sharif Williams / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb Early College Academy salutatorian Amira Daugherty holds on to certificates of commendation while she is presented with another honor.
Kelli Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Druid Hills High seniors are all smiles as they pose for a group photo. They graduate on May 21 at the Georgia Dome.
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CrossRoadsNews
Graduation
May 21, 2016
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once she opened up and realized it was a good thing to ask questions, she was relentless.â&#x20AC;?
Salutatorian cousins excel in and out of classroom By Donna Williams Lewis
Not long ago, cousins Cung Nei Kim and Alice Cer Tin Mawi were kids growing up in the hills of Chin State of Burma, both speaking limited English. On May 19 and May 26, they will graduate as salutatorians of Stone Mountain and Clarkston high schools. The cousinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families left their native land as refugees from military strife that killed thousands of Chin State people. Cung arrived in the United States in 2010. Alice came a year later. Cung became Stone Mountain Highâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salutatorian with a 4.0 GPA. Alice took the title at Clarkston High with a 4.179 GPA. Van Kio, chairman and a deacon of Chin Community Church in Tucker, said adults as well as youth look up to the girls in the church. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They really, really are exceptional,â&#x20AC;? Kio said. Alice and Cung are cousins who developed a close relationship in Malaysia, which is where they lived for two years before entering the United States. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alice is a sister that I want to take care of,â&#x20AC;? Cung said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and I want her to take care of me.â&#x20AC;? Kio shares their background of growing up in a village in the Chin State, arriving in the United States in 1979 at age 13, also knowing very little English. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I experienced that so I know how hard it is,â&#x20AC;? Kio said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so amazingly proud of them.â&#x20AC;? The cousins are academic powerhouses. Alice is a Gates Millennium Scholar who has been awarded scholarships totaling about $350,000. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to Agnes Scott College on an academic scholarship and is considering going into a social science field. She is one of her schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student representatives on the DeKalb School Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advisory board. Dr. Michelle Jones, Clarkstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal, called Alice â&#x20AC;&#x153;a really, really special child.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;She would always come up to me and tell me things she wanted to do and things she wanted to do to help the school,â&#x20AC;? Jones said, adding that Alice has done voluminous community service through her membership in the National Beta Club, National Honor Society and the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden Club. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She brings the ideas, but she also brings those ideas to life,â&#x20AC;? Jones said. Cung started high school at Clarkston and then relocated to Stone Mountain in 2013. She belongs to numerous school organizations, including National Honor Society, National Beta Club and Technology Students of America, and she has earned college credit through her dual enrollment at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Keatra Wright, her English teacher, said Cung was extremely quiet when she first taught her in 10th grade. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When she finally asked me a question, I was so elated,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once she opened up and realized it was a good thing to ask questions, she was relentless. She started re-
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Cung Nei Kim (center left) and Alice Cer Tin Mawi (center right) work in Sunday school at Chin Community Church in Tucker.
Cung Nei Kimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Salutatorian Speech Stone Mountain High School May 19 Graduation
Let us follow wisdom and knowledge My parents fought against the impossible so that I could have a better opportunity at learning and life. I would like to use this golden chance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that my parents worked hard for â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to remind you of three important lessons. The first lesson is to get as much wisdom and knowledge as you can. There is a big difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is something you gain from school while wisdom is something you gain from experience and the people around you. To gain knowledge, never give up on school. To gain wisdom, Cung Nei Kim never give up on yourself. In life, the things that we will experience will not only be joy but sorrow as well. Learn to cope and never give up. The second lesson is to find your talent and make the most out of it. Finding your talent is finding who you are. Each of us has our own talent but we never take the time to find it. For some of us, even if we have already found our talent we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take the time to use it. So today, I would like to challenge each of us to find that talent and make the most out of it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Talent hits a target no one else can hit.â&#x20AC;? The third is from a parable in the Bible about foolishness. It says foolishness called out to men who go about their business and said to them stolen water is refreshing and food eaten in secret tastes the best. What they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize is that the former guests of foolishness are in the grave. Foolishness in life is giving up on yourself. Foolishness in life is causing others pain. Foolishness in life is doing things that you will regret. Foolishness in life is following a crowd that leads to your downfall. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t follow foolishness to your grave. Let us follow wisdom and knowledge, and find our talent and purpose in life. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the least we can do for ourselves and for our parents and guardians who worked so hard for us to get here.
ally speaking out in class, really participating. Everybody noticed. She was just special.â&#x20AC;? Wright said Cung is always willing to help her peers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students are really competitive at her level, but even in the face of competition she is willing to help those who need help without regard to maintaining her ranking in the class,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. Cung plans to major in Christian ministry and minor in nursing at Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla. She wants to become a Christian leader who helps people around the world. Kio said the church will do everything possible to help her accomplish that mis-
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Alice Cer Tin Mawi also plays the violin for Chin Community Church.
sion. Wright believes Cung would do well in that role. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think she has the demeanor and openmindedness to be able to help people without judgment,â&#x20AC;? she said. Alice and Cung put religious faith at the core of their success. They are very active volunteers and youth leaders at Chin Community Baptist, which meets at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Tucker. Cung teaches Sunday school. Alice, who plays the violin for events and cleans the church every Sunday after service, also helps out with Sunday school. The salutatorians are both artistic. Cung
loves arts and crafts and helps her aunt with wedding planning. Alice enjoys acting and started a knitting club called Knit Love at Clarkston. The club donates hats, gloves and scarves to New American Pathways, an organization that serves the refugee community in metro Atlanta. In their salutatorian speeches, the cousins say they will both express gratitude. Cung will talk about honoring the sacrifices parents have made for their children. Alice will tell her classmates that they should be proud of their alma mater, which she said has been very welcoming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people are not very proud of going to Clarkston High School,â&#x20AC;? Alice said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to love our school or who else will love it? My mentor told me that whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important is what you make out of it.â&#x20AC;?
Congratulations Reese! Proud of You! Cross Keys High School Honors Graduate "Commit to God whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Prov.16:3
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Uncle Grandpa/Auntie Grandma & The Family!
C17
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
Graduation
“She’s smart, beautiful, and she’s very humble about everything she does.” Taejah Harper (center) made her parents Tovas (left) and John Bell very proud when she was named Clarkston’s valedictorian, even though it left them scrambling to fulfill a promise Tovas made five years ago.
Clarkston High valedictorian Taejah Harper fulfills deal By Donna Williams Lewis
When Taejah Harper was in the seventh grade, she had a talk with her mother. Her older siblings had received gifts of used cars for their high school graduations. She wanted something a little different. “I told her I wanted a brand-new car,” Taejah said. Her mother, Tovas Bell, responded in typical mom fashion. She issued a challenge. “If you make valedictorian,” she said, “you’ll get a brand-new car.” “I was just saying something,” Bell recalled this week. “I wasn’t thinking that was really going to happen.” But it did. Taejah, who has a 4.2 GPA, more than fulfilled her end of the bargain. Not only is she valedictorian of the Clarkston High School Class of 2016, but when she enrolls at the University of Georgia this fall to study broadcast journalism, she will
A car for Taejah Five years ago, when Taejah Harper was in the seventh grade, her mother, Tovas Bell, agreed to buy her a new car if she became valedictorian of her class. Taejah is now Clarkston’s Class of 2016 valedictorian and her mother, a secretary, is unable to pay up. To reward Taejah for her hard work, her sister Ashley has launched a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds to fulfill the promise. To help, visit www. gofundme.com/gradval16.
be the first in her family to go on to a fouryear college. Taejah even got a jump on an undergraduate degree by earning 30 credits in a dual enrollment program at Georgia Pied-
mont Technical College, where she is on the dean’s list. Taejah is one of only two AfricanAmerican valedictorians in the past 10 years at Clarkston High, where students come from more than 54 countries and speak 47 languages. Kandrea Bizzell, her cheerleading coach and journalism teacher, said she is an “awesome young lady.” “She’s smart, beautiful, and she’s very humble about everything she does,” Bizzell said. “But she’s a very hard worker for everything she gets and in whatever she’s a part of.” Clarkston principal Dr. Michelle Jones said Taejah is “well-rounded and she’s wellgrounded.” Taejah’s mother, father John Bell, and her four siblings are beyond thrilled. Bell, who works as a secretary at Emory University, said she is extremely proud of her daughter.
“She excelled in her college classes, too,” she said. Inwardly, Bell hoped Taejah had forgotten the car conversation they had once, five years ago. No such luck. Not only had Taejah not forgotten, she had even decided on the car she wants – a white Fiat. Once her valedictorian status was confirmed, she brought up the long-ago deal. Taejah was understanding when told the new car is a no go – at least for now. Instead, she settled for a new iPhone. But her sister Ashley thinks Taejah should get that Fiat. On May 17, she launched a Go Fund Me page – www.gofundme.com/gradval16 – to help raise $8,000 for the car. Taejah’s graduation speech to her class will be about holding fast to dreams. “Even if other people don’t believe in you, believe in yourself and never give up,” she said.
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Graduation
CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
The DeKalb Merit Scholars were among 102 Georgians who have been awarded more than $355,500 in scholarships so far.
28 seniors among DeKalb Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PAGE STAR Student DeKalb, Decatur City, private schools represent School
City Schools of Decatur System winners teacher Chris Curtis, student Luke Downs, Principal Arlethea Williams, student Nora Moore, and teacher Jennifer Gonzalez are pictured.
Twenty-eight seniors made the DeKalb Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual PAGE STAR Student list. The 2016 honorees include students from 20 DeKalb School District high schools, two from Decatur City Schools, and six from the private Atlanta Jewish Academy, Ben Franklin Academy, Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academy, Marist and St. Pius X Catholic High. The DeKalb School STAR students include nine students who hold the top two positions in their class, five valedictorians â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aomeng Cui, Chamblee Charter; David Nguyen, Cross Keys; Parul Rai, Dunwoody;
Kamal Hughes, Lithonia; and John Robertson, Stephenson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and four salutatorians â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Amira Daugherty, DeKalb Early College Academy; Nasreen Abd Elal, DeKalb School for the Arts; Sri Bhat, Lakeside; and Nekabari Ereba, Redan. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Program honors Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding high school seniors and the teachers who were most instrumental in their academic development. Since its launch 58 years ago, it has honored more than 23,500 high school seniors and their teachers. During the recognition held in March, the DeKalb Chamber presented the annual
Arabia Mountain HS Atlanta Jewish Academy Ben Franklin Academy Cedar Grove HS Chamblee Charter HS Clarkston HS Columbia HS Cross Keys HS DECA Decatur HS Decatur HS DeKalb School of the Arts Druid Hills HS Dunwoody HS Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academy Lakeside HS Lithonia HS Marist School Martin Luther King, Jr. HS Miller Grove HS Redan HS Ronald E. McNair HS Southwest DeKalb HS St. Pius X Catholic HS Stephenson HS Stone Mountain HS Tucker HS
STAR Student
Quinton Victor Abigail Stein Erin Catherall Diana Orabueze Aomeng Cui Ubah Ahmed LaCee Lockhart David Nguyen Amira Daugherty Luke Downs Nora Moore Nasreen Abd Elal Ben Furman Parul Rai Deanna Lanier Sri Bhat Kamal Hughes Charles Daniel Marquise McFarland Andrea Glaze Nekabari Ereba Mariah Monk Jordan Brown Maud Kelly Jodi Robertson Mirage Durrah Jacob Simon
$1,000 Alonzo L. McDonald Sr. Scholarship, which recognizes the highest-scoring STAR student, to Chamblee Charter High valedictorian Aomeng Cui who made a perfect 2,400 score on the SAT. Aomeng and her teacher Adrienne
STAR Teacher
Marcus North Patsy Cain Martha Burdette Linda Jackson Adrienne Keathley Shawna Tamakloe Ashley Ellison Jake Eismeier Jason Butler Chris Curtis Jennifer Gonzalez Jose Gregory Lisa Johnston Bryan Boucher Rhonda Hicks Garry Saltmarsh Timothy Grant Rand Wise Matthew Candis Tasha Taborn Candace Williams Maronda Hastie Raymond Maple Melissa Beam Mario Miner Lester Adams Teresa Milam
Keathley and Decatur High students Luke Downs and Nora Moore and their teachers Chris Curtis and Jennifer Gonzalez also represented the DeKalb School District and City Schools of Decatur at the regional PAGE STAR regional event.
National Merit Scholars include DeKalb valedictorians and salutatorian Five DeKalb seniors, including two valedictorians and a salutatorian â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Parul Rai of Dunwoody High, Aomeng Cui of Chamblee Charter High, and Sri S. Bhat of Lakeside High â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are among 2016 National Merit Scholars. The other Merit Scholars are Chamblee seniors Yalini Senthil Kumar and William A. Linde. Aomeng Cui Parul Rai Parulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $178,000 Merit Scholarship from Sri S. Bhat the University of Texas at Dallas gives her full ride, including room and board plus a study-abroad stipend. Aomeng, who is Chambleeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magnet valeArabia Mountain High School dictorian, and Sri, Lakesideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salutatorian, won $2,500 Merit Scholarships. Aomeng will attend Columbia University in the fall to pursue her dreams of becoming a physician. She is the only DeKalb student this year to gain a perfect 2,400 on the SAT. Sri will study computer science at Georgia Tech. Yalini, who plans to study computer science, was awarded the Battelle Scholarship. She has been accepted to Cornell University, Carnegie Mellonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Computer SciCongratulations to our Honors ence, Georgia Tech and Emory University Graduate! We are so proud of you! but has not yet made a decision where she Mom & Dad will go.
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William, who plans a career in human rights, got the UPS James E. Casey Scholarship, awarded to children of United Parcel Service Yalini Kumar employees. Both are getting awards of $2,500 to $6,000, which are renewable for up to four years for undergraduate study. The scholarships provide annual stipends ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year. The DeKalb Merit Scholars were picked from 15,000 finalists nationwide. They are among 102 Georgians, announced April 20 and May 11, who have been awarded more than $355,500 in scholarships so far. More college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in June and July 18. Nationally, 7,500 Merit Scholars will get $33 million in college scholarships this year. The quest for the 2016 winners began in October 2014 when more than 1.5 million juniors in 22,000 high schools took the
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Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which is the initial screen of program entrants. Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than 1 percent of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state-representational basis. Only these 16,000 semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition. A committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors selected the finalists based on their academic record, the difficulty level of subjects they studied and grades earned; their scores from two standardized tests; their contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay they wrote; and the written recommendation of a high school official. The nonprofit National Merit Scholars Corp. based in Evanston, Ill., was founded in 1955. It is privately funded by 440 independent corporate and college sponsors who share its goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education. For more information, visit www.nationalmerit.org.
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CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016
Graduation
“College AIM gave Jody, Octavious and Michelle space to dream – and helped them develop the skills needed to make those dreams come true.”
Towers High seniors find success with College AIM Jody Grant said that she wouldn’t apply to college. She didn’t think she could get in. Nobody in her family had ever been. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease ran in her family, but not biology degrees and certainly not medical school. Octavious Cook was brilliant but often overlooked in class because he was too timid to speak up. The prospect of college terrified him. He had hardly ever left Atlanta, and the idea of a new place with new students and professors had Octavious doubting that higher education was for him. Michelle Gutierrez was primed to become the valedictorian of her class, but college still seemed daunting. Her older sister graduated years earlier at the top of her class too but struggled with the college process. Michelle worried that good grades in high school would not translate to college success. Even smart, motivated students can be intimidated by the world that waits beyond the doors of high school. Without the right encouragement, mentors or good counseling, promising students can sometimes miss – literally – the opportunity of a lifetime. Towers High has a program to keep that from happening. As juniors, Jody, Octavious and Michelle joined College AIM, a program that gives personalized college counseling, preparatory ACT classes, and opportunities to visit colleges they might never have imagined attending. Vincent Denson, Towers High principal, says the program opens doors. “College AIM gave Jody, Octavious and Michelle space to dream – and helped them develop the skills needed to make those dreams come true,” he said. Each year, College AIM works with 70 high-potential students who, like Jody, Oc-
College AIM juniors Kangni Bavon (from left), DaeJah Kearse and Douglas Jackson tour Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. College AIM offers personalized college counseling, preparatory ACT classes, and college visits.
tavious and Michelle, might otherwise lack critical support necessary to make it to – and through – college. More than 95 percent of College AIM students go on to college, and in 2016 alone, they amassed more than $9 million in scholarships. Today, College AIM helps Towers send more than 60 percent of students to college campuses. A central feature of the program fires young ambitions. Each spring break, College AIM takes 20 to 30 juniors on a college tour. Douglas Jackson, a member of College AIM’s junior class, said they traveled from Atlanta to Boston, visiting 17 colleges in nine days. “We visited a Who’s Who of higher education in the East,” he said. On the list were schools like the University of Georgia, Howard University, George
Washington University, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, Columbia University, Barnard College, Wesleyan University, Trinity College, Brandeis University, Tufts University, Skidmore College, Union College, Bard College, Albright College, Franklin & Marshall College, and Wofford College. Students walked the greens of large state universities and private liberal arts colleges. They sampled historically black universities and predominantly white institutions. They stepped into classrooms of in-state and out-of-state schools, including colleges that meet 100 percent of each student’s financial need. They spoke with admissions officers, faculty and financial aid staff, establishing relationships. During fall applications, those connections could lead to admissions and scholarships. Students also met College AIM alums like
Jody, who with program support overcame her fears and became the first in her family to attend college. Sam Aleinikoff, College AIM’s founder and executive director, said “Jody exemplifies what the program is all about.” “She’s completing her sophomore year at Spelman College on a full scholarship,” he said. “In two years, she’s served as a school ambassador in the admissions office, performed community service with young children, and maintained a 3.8 grade point average.” The students met Octavious, also the first in his family to enter college. He is now completing his freshman year at Union College in New York with a full academic scholarship and membership in the college’s Academic Opportunities Program that offers intensive academic, social and financial support to ensure that he graduates on time. The College AIM tour caught up with Michelle at Bard College in New York, where she’s the recipient of a full-tuition Posse Scholarship. She’s part of a 10-student “Posse” that meets personal mentors every week. And her good grades in high school did translate into college success. Aleinikoff said the College AIM trip lets students see real-world examples of students who are pioneers in their families, who faced doubts about college, and who overcame huge barriers to higher education. “They built relationships and found mentors and now they’re succeeding in university life,” he said. “College AIM students can see themselves in these examples and start to believe they can make it too. They come back to Towers energized and ready to take on the world.”
Chick-fil-A at Turner Hill Road - “Home of the 1,000th Chick-fil-A”
Congratulates Our 2016 High School Graduates Janniece Rachel-Marie Martin DeKalb Early College Academy Will Attend Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
Congratulates Recipients of $1,000 Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship
Simultaneously Receiving Associate’s Degree in Art from Georgia State University– Clarkston Campus Fredric Cain III Stephenson High Morehouse College
Fredric Cain III Stephenson High Morehouse College
Zachary Chenault Southwest DeKalb High Kennesaw State University
Ella Sumon’e Coleman Arabia Mountain High San Diego State University
David Driskell Homeschool Berry College
Halle M. Hammond Tucker High North Carolina A & T University
Tyler Jones Lithonia High United States Navy
This scholarship is presented to Chick-fil-A Team Members having 1800 hours and meeting other criteria. Janniece Rachel-Marie Martin DeKalb Early College Academy Savannah College of Art & Design
London Mone’t Levell-Wilkins Rockdale County High University of West Georgia
S. Truett Cathy Our Beloved Founder Created This Scholarship
Congratulates Recipients of $500 Chick-fil-A Partners in Service Scholarship
Halle M. Hammond Tucker High North Carolina A & T University
Amari Johnson Arabia Mountain High University of West Georgia
Tyler Jones Lithonia High United States Navy
Lance Lane Arabia Mountain High St. John’s University
The Class of 2016 Rocks! London Mone’t Levell-Wilkins Rockdale County High University of West Georgia
Jaharie Parks Destiny Achievers Academy Georgia State University
Gregory Stallings Arabia Mountain High School Savannah State University
Jayanni Jeffery Chick-fil-A Turner Hill Road Partners in Service Scholarship Rockdale County High School Hampton University
Cynthia Steven Chick-fil-A Turner Hill Road Partners in Service Scholarship Luther Rice Seminary and University Master of Divinity
Tony Royal Owner/Operator Congratulates You
Congratulates Our 2016 College Graduates
Shirley Walker The Dr. James L. Flanagan Partners in Service Scholarship Luther Rice Seminary and University Pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Religion Xi Xi Zeta Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Three recipients– Jessica Hewing, India White and Dexter McClanahan
Janaye Mercedes Brown Georgia State University Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism
Kiya Stanford Chick-fil-A Turner Hill Road Partners in Service Scholarship Arabia Mountain High Georgia State University
Janniece Rachel-Marie Martin Kenya Wilson Jahnea Hunter Georgia State University – Clarkston Campus Brown Mackie College – Atlanta Clark Atlanta University Associate’s Degree in Art Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing
Shanique Godfrey The Malcolm L. Quillen Partners in Service Scholarship Lithonia High School GSU Perimeter College Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It was a pleasure partnering with you in 2015/2016
Matoaka Wilson Lambda Epsilon Omega Scholarship Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Arabia Mountain High School Tuskegee University Kappa Alpha Sigma Chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., It was a pleasure partnering with you in 2015/2016
Created by Tony Royal in 2005, these scholarships are presented to schools and organizations partnering with Chick-fil-A Turner Hill Road annually.
We Are Your Graduation Party Trays Headquarters! Please Call 678.526.0088 to Place Your Orders!
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CrossRoadsNews
May 21, 2016