Class of 2015 Graduates Are ‘Conquerors’ Who Won’t Accept Defeat
Art Teacher Nafeesah Symonette leads the graduates
On June 12, Thurgood Marshall Academy celebrated seniors’ academic success and applauded their 100% college acceptance during the 10th annual graduation. More than 800 guests, family and friends, and faculty and staff gathered at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church to honor students who were awarded over $4 million in scholarships.
Faith Hudson and Anthonya James, Class of 2015 salutatorian and valedictorian
Senior Anthonya James, class of 2015 valedictorian, was named the 2015 Milken Scholar and received $10,000 toward college tuition. High-performing senior, Faith Hudson, who was the class’ salutatorian, was awarded the Stephen J. Trachtenberg Scholarship and will attend The George Washington University in the fall. Keneon Williams, who earned the second-highest SAT score on the critical math and reading sections, will attend University of Rochester on a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which will also cover his graduate degree. Herbert Tillary, Executive Director of the College Success Foundation, presented a check of $1.45 million to 29 seniors awarded the DC Achievers Scholarship, which funds up to $50,000 in annual tuition costs.
A number of seniors received scholarships from Press Pass Mentors, an organization affiliated with The Washington Post that serves charter school students in southeast Washington, DC. Mentors are paired with students and work together on a curriculum that prepares them for major writing assignments they will tackle as college students.
Angel Haythe, a talented senior who recently performed in a singing competition at the Kennedy Center, led the senior class in a dynamic rendition of ‘Conqueror’ from the FOX hit TV show, “Empire.” The audience sung along to the popular tune while seniors swayed from left to right, relating to the meaningful lyrics.
After students were presented with their diplomas, they joined their loved ones and other proud Thurgood Marshall Academy supporters for refreshments.
Photos by: Joshua A. Washington