CrossRoadsNews, May 21, 2016 - Section C

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.

CrossRoadsNews

C2

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

CrossRoadsNews

C3

“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!

&20081,7< 2) /($51(56

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 7KH 'H.DOE %RDUG RI (GXFDWLRQ 6XSHULQWHQGHQW 'U 5 6WHSKHQ *UHHQ

CrossRoadsNews

C4

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.

-D\OHQ 2 6SHQFHU

6WHSKHQVRQ +LJK 6FKRRO JIBM<OPG<ODJIN JI TJPM <>CD@Q@H@ION (JQ@ GR<TN

"MD@I?N "<HDGT

CrossRoadsNews

May 21, 2016

Graduation

C5

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

Â&#x2014;Â&#x;Â&#x2019;Â?Â&#x17D;ȹ¢Â&#x2DC;Â&#x17E;ČąÂ?Â&#x2DC;ČąÂ&#x160;Ä´Â&#x17D;Â&#x2014;Â?ČąÂ&#x2DC;Â&#x17E;Â&#x203A;

2016 Spring Commencement Â&#x160;Â?Â&#x17E;Â&#x203A;Â?Â&#x160;¢ǰȹÂ?Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Čą  Â&#x17D;Â&#x2014;Â?¢ȏÄ&#x2122;Â&#x203A;Â&#x153;Â?Čą Â&#x160;¢ȹÂ&#x2DC;Â?Čą Â&#x160;¢ǰ Two Thousand Sixteen at

Ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning Â&#x153;ÇŻČą Â&#x17E;ÂŁÂ&#x160;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Čą Â&#x2018;Â&#x160;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Ç°Čą Â&#x17D;¢Â&#x2014;Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x17D;Čą Â&#x2122;Â&#x17D;Â&#x160;Â&#x201D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A; Founding Partner, Siebert Brandford Shank & Company at the

Georgia World Congress Center

285 Andrew Young International Boulevard, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Equal Opportunity Institution

C6

Graduation

CrossRoadsNews

May 21, 2016

“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

C7

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.”

CrossRoadsNews

C8

Valedictorians

&

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

Valedictorians

C9

Salutatorians

&

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.

CrossRoadsNews

C10

May 21, 2016

Valedictorians

& Chamblee valedictorian Aom

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.

CrossRoadsNews

May 21, 2016

C11

& 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.

CrossRoadsNews

C12

Valedictorians

&

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

&

C13

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

C15

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.

C16

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-

DÄ&#x201A;ĹŻĹ?ĹŹ ZĹ˝Ä?Ĺ?ĹśĆ?ŽŜ

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-

&RQJUDWXODWLRQV

Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśÇ&#x2021; Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹľÇ&#x2021; ŽŜĹ?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;ƾůÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ĺ?ŽŜĆ? ŽŜ Ç&#x2021;ŽƾĆ&#x152; Ç Ĺ˝ĹśÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĩƾů Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Í&#x160; zŽƾ Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ä?ŽžÄ&#x17E; Ä&#x201A; Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä?ŽžĆ&#x2030;ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ç&#x2021;ŽƾŜĹ? ĹľÄ&#x201A;ĹśÍ&#x2DC; zŽƾÎ&#x2013;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ĹľÄ&#x17E; ŽŜÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;ŽƾÄ&#x161; ĹľÄ&#x201A;ĹľÄ&#x201A;Í&#x160;

>Ĺ˝Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2022; DŽž

75(1721 3$/0(5 78&.(5 +,*+

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

/RYH <RX 08&+

*UDQGPD 'HERUDK <RXU 3DUHQWV =RL

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.

C18

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.

%% !

-RVKXD & 6HOOHUV -RVK

&RQWLQXH WR NHHS *RG DV \RXU OHDGHU DQG JUHDW WKLQJV ZLOO IROORZ \RX :H DUH VR SURXG RI \RX :LWK /RYH <RXU )DPLO\

% !! ! & $&%

VTUZ

Jessica Allen

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

+WVOZI\]TI\QWV[

>ITLW[\I ;\I\M =VQ^MZ[Q\a /ZIL

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.

&RQJUDWXODWLRQV $VKOH\ -DFNVRQ 6RXWKZHVW 'H.DOE +LJK 6FKRRO

);1) 2706;76

>Ĺ˝Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; zŽƾÍ&#x160; 'Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;ĹľÄ&#x201A; Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ&#x161;Í&#x2022; dÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;dÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2022; ZĹ˝Ä&#x161;ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2022; dĆ&#x152;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Ĺ˝Ĺ? Î&#x2DC; DŽž

AW] LQL Q\ 3MMX ]X \PM OZMI\ _WZS ?M IZM M`\ZMUMTa XZW]L WN aW] 4W^M 5WU ,IL :QKPIZL *Za[WV /ZIVLXIZMV\[ .ZQMVL[

C19

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!

C20

CrossRoadsNews

May 21, 2016