- West Contra Costa Unified School District
- WCCUSD Highlights
- WCCUSD Highlights (Archive)
African American Students' Academic Success Celebrated at Rising Scholars Award Ceremony
The West Contra Costa Unified School District recently celebrated its 4th Annual African American Honors Ceremony at the Craneway Pavilion, recognizing African American students who have shown academic excellence in the 2016-17 school year.
Nearly 500 African American students in grades 4 - 12 were recognized for earning a 3.3 GPA or above and/or having exceeded District assessment test scores.
“Traditionally, African American Students on the honor roll have participated in the Annual Juneteenth parade, but we wanted to create a special honor roll assembly for our African American students where the District could recognize and celebrate our students,” African American Honors Committee member and District retiree Antoinette Henry-Evans said.
This year, every African American student in the District received quarterly letters from the African American Honors committee encouraging students and parents to do their best.
Tunisia McFadden said she was completely surprised when she found out her daughter, Collins Elementary School 5th grader Disa Daniels, would be honored for her academic achievements.
“She’s a good student and always has been,” McFadden said. “It's really important to be recognized among your own, and it's great that the school district takes the time to track the progress of our students and how well our kids are doing, and takes the time to recognize them.”
During the ceremony, students marched into the pavilion school by school and principals announced students individually before family, friends, and community members. Students received certificates and medals of achievement, and students who maintained a 4.0 or higher received a honorary placard.
“We wanted to look at excellence in our district and celebrate our kids who are performing at a higher level to let the community know that education is important, and if [the District] pays attention to what you want, you will get that,” Henry-Evans said. “We want our students to know that we honor them and we are proud of them.”
Crepi Middle School Principal Guthrie Fleischman said it is exciting to see students excel in WCCUSD and continue to strive for excellence.
“African American students have been underserved, traditionally,” Guthrie said. “To see the District and community members celebrate black excellence like this is just wonderful.”
Don and Deborah Jenkins were proud to have their children, Brian and Alexandria, be among the Tara Hills Elementary School students honored.
“As a black father who has both kids being honored for academic excellence, I am ecstatic and so proud,” Jenkins, a 1984 El Cerrito High School graduate, said. “To be standing here with so many African American students, aside from my daughter and son is just beautiful and I hope they can make a difference for our tomorrow.”
This is Alexandria’s second year as an African American Honors recipient, and her brother Brian is a first-year recipient.
“I like to be a role model for my peers and I love to do my school work with my teachers because they are really nice,” Alexandria said. Alexandria credits her favorite Tara Hills teachers Ms. Knutson, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Aldridge for helping her this year, and looks forward to attending Stanford University with her brother Brian and becoming a doctor.