As one high school guidance counselor recently stated, this year's selection of Top High School Seniors "exemplifies all that's right with American youths today." They are the mechanical engineers, family physicians, educators, business magnates, journalists and political powerbrokers of tomorrow.
Articulate and confident, the outstanding high school students listed here defy the odds and stereotypes about today's African-American youth.
Although some are no stranger to neighborhoods torn by poverty, drugs and gang violence, all have their eyes well-focused on the prize in front of them--securing a better tomorrow by preparing for a college education today.
The 34 graduating seniors featured here are certainly not the only African-American youths who are making a difference in the world around them. They are, instead, a representative sampling of the thousands of brilliant Black stars shining in the nation's classrooms.
These well-rounded, well-adjusted students--mostly from major metropolitan areas--were selected from a nationwide pool of more than 300 candidates. They were nominated by school boards selected by Ebony's editorial committee and were judged on the basis of exemplary academic performance, leadership potential and demonstrated community commitment.
Among this multitalented bunch are National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) members, student body officers and school club presidents. Their perseverance and drive have paid off in trophies and cash prizes won at regional, national and international competitions for aptitude in mathematics, the sciences, language arts and various sports.
Many of these young leaders have learned to balance hectic schedules that include rigorous advanced-placement college courses, extracurricular club meetings and part-time jobs. Some have participated in student exchange programs and have traveled to countries in Africa, Europe and South America. A growing number are bilingual. One is trilingual.
Conscientious and compassionate, these young people don't mind lending a helping hand at local hospitals, food banks and shelters. They also tutor peers, adults and younger students in school basics.
Having prepared for their impending college careers, these high school graduates (several of whom will become first-generation college students) have amassed millions in scholarship funds. Now, after four years of dedicated hard work on high school campuses, they eagerly await new triumphs and challenges at various private and public universities, where they are sure to move one step closer to reaching their professional goals.
Charles Wesley Fitzpatrick Jr., a National Achievement and Illinois State scholar, attends Chicago's Kenwood Academy, where he maintains a 4.76 GPA. Recipient of the University of Chicago-Kenwood Prize for three years in a row, the principal's honor roll honoree is president of the Key Club, vice president of student council and a member of the National Honor Society, math team and track team. After school, the chemical and environmental engineering major devotes time to INROADS, his church's dance ministry and chorus. After completing his degree program at Florida A&M University, he plans to work for the Environmental Protection Agency.
April Rowell of St. Louis holds a 3.952 GPA at Metro Academic and Classical High School, where she is salutatorian in a class of 48. The National Achievement scholarship finalist and National Honor Society member is a recipient of the Harvard and Wellesley College Book Club Awards. The church pianist, school newspaper reporter and summer camp counselor will attend Florida A&M University to study accounting.
Joyce I. Imahiyerobo of Boston Latin School plans to attend Harvard University this fall to study sociology. Recipient of five first-place awards in the Elks Oratorical Contests, the Harvard Book Award and the Fidelity prize, the National Honor Society member and peer tutor assisted in having work published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Advanced Placement scholar and first-place winner of the Boston Latin School science fair and citywide science fair also nabbed the cum laude honor for high marks on the National Latin Exam.
Cory Green is valedictorian of a class of 371 at David W. Carter High School in Dallas. A member of the National Honor Society, the computer science team, Youth Voices For Christ choir and Boy Scouts, the marching band section leader is the recipient of several honors, including the principal's award, the dean's list award, the All-American Scholar award and the National science award. The aspiring chemical engineer, who has received more than $83,000 in scholarship offers, plans to attend Morehouse College.
Wayne Alton Moore, Jr., who is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and received high honors at the Gold Key State Science Fair, is the salutatorian of the senior class at Atlanta's Benjamin E. Mays High School. The track team captain is a member of the National Honor Society, the BETA club and Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. The student government president plans to attend Emory University to major in computer science. He works diligently with local shelters and participates in student clean-up efforts. The Mayor's Youth Council member wants to be a doctor.
Alexis karteron, who is in the top percentile of the senior class at Townsend Harris High School at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., is a National Achievement scholarship winner and National Merit finalist. A participant in the National Institute of Health's minority high school research apprentice program, Karteron was also awarded the NAACP ACT-SO gold and bronze medals for excellence. The local hospital and library volunteer plans to study biology at Harvard University this fall.
Michael A. Smith, II, salutatorian of the senior class at New Orleans' McDonogh 35 Senior High School, holds a 4.177 GPA. Editor-in-chief of the school yearbook and cocaptain of the varsity football team, the Harvard Book Awardee and math club member plans to study broadcast journalism at the University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill.
With a 4.64 grade point average, April Diane Brown ranks first in a class of 152 at John F. Kennedy High School in Richmond, Va. Captain of the cheerleading squad and a member of the National Spanish and Math Honor Societies, the senior class officer, mentor and NAACP youth council member wants to be a chemical engineer with a major corporation one day.
Maralanna Knighton of San Francisco maintains a 3.64 GPA at George Washington High School. The church choir member has earned a number of awards for excellence in academics and community service. President of the Black Student Union, she tutors in her spare time. She plans to study political science at Spelman College to become a politician or educator in future years.
LaTasha Mack ranks third in a class of 435 at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, where she maintains a 3.8 GPA. The Latin Honor Society member and preschool volunteer has received numerous academic honors throughout her high school career. The local church helper and neighborhood tutor plans to study social work and to seek a career in the legal or correctional counseling field.
George Crawford, who divides time between high school and the Bridge to Medicine Program at City College, ranks third in his class at New York City's High School for Environmental Studies. A member of the National Honor Society and a school-based management program, the hospital volunteer and New York Aquarium docent hopes to attend Cornell University as a premed major.
Oakland's Ronald Williams, who is student body president at Skyline High School, is a community activist who recently introduced the U.S. secretary of education at the Improving Our Schools conference. He participated in a Democratic campaign tour with President Clinton in Oakland and in the Closing The Gap Conference in Chicago with the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The aspiring education administrator also serves on local committees that oversee budgets of more than $12 million.
Washington, D.C.'s Yaa Walker, who has a 4.03 GPA, is valedictorian of School Without Walls Senior High School. The president of the National Junior Honor Society took first-place honors during the NAACP ACT-SO essay competition and the Maryland state music competition. The future mechanical engineer tutors adults and youths in math, reading and Spanish. An accomplished violinist, the National Music Honor Society member, who has received more than $200,000 in college aid offers. plans to attend Spelman College.
