Student Spotlight of the Week

Name: Adrian Artary

Grade: 12th Grade

School: Therrell High School- Law, Government,& Public Policy

Robert Frost once said, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” Adrian Artary, a Senior at Therrell High School- Law, Government & Public Policy, says he lives by this quote as it sums up his journey to this point in life. Adrian emigrated from Jamaica to the United States of America with his family in 2004 in hopes of achieving the “American Dream.” It has been Adrian’s goal to help his family succeed and build a life in the United States, but in his opinion, college is an essential part of achieving this goal.

According to Adrian, when he was younger he allowed peer pressure to control his actions. But, Adrian quickly realized that peer pressure and engaging in negative activities would be detrimental to his goal of pursuing a college education.

“The year of 2007 was the turning point in my life,” he explains. “I realized that I needed to be a leader, not a follower. You only get one life, and you must make the best out of it. From that day forward, I put my family first in everything.”

It was then that he made the decision to recreate himself to become a shining example for his family and friends, so he could become the second person in his family to attend college. Fast forward to 2013, and it is clear that Adrian has done just that. In addition to being  a scholar, he is also active in his community. He holds several leadership positions as he serves as the secretary of the National Beta Club at Therrell High School, a member of the Therrell High School  Debate Team, Mock Trial, Yearbook Committee, Therrell High School Historian, and JROTC 2^nd Lieutenant.

“I envision myself impacting the world positively through the career path that I choose to follow,” Adrian says.

And he is well on his way. Adrian will graduate as the 2013 Valedictorian at the Therrell School of Law on May 25, 2013.  He was recently honored as a 2013 Gates Millennium Scholar, which will afford him the opportunity to attend college on a full scholarship. Adrian plans to attend Clark Atlanta University in the fall, where he would like to major in Mass Media so he can begin his path toward one day becoming a  News Director.

Name: Kemore’ Massenburg

Grade: 5th Grade

School: Gideons Elementary

Kemore’ Massenburg is a student whom anyone would love to teach. Kemore’ consistently demonstrates a love of learning.  “She is a conscientious about her grades, participates in class and is never disrespectful, among many of her attributes”, states Dr. Vikki-Austell Henderson, Gideons Special Education Lead Teacher.  “It warms my heart to know that such a sweet young girl could possess so many excellent qualities. It bothers her when she does not perform her best on tasks.”

She is the cheerleader captain for Gideons.She is an outstanding leader who is always willing to help others with anything. Kemore` takes pride in her work, in and out of the classroom and continually pushes herself to do her best. Her enthusiasm for learning her schoolwork and new cheerleading cheers and techniques has made her into a self-motivated learner who models hard work while making it fun for her and others. Kemore` will continue to succeed in school because of her determination to be the best Gideons student she can be every day.

 written by April Key, Communications Ambassador at Gideons Elementary

Name:  Autumn Johnson

Grade: Kindergarten

School: Carter G. Woodson Primary School

Autumn Johnson excels in all subjects,  prompting her teachers to describe her as one of the most outstanding students in all of Woodson’s kindergarten classes.  She entered kindergarten reading small words, and as a result of her hard work and perseverance Autumn has become one of the best readers in her class, quickly approaching a second grade reading level. As a result of her exceptional reading skills, Autumn’s teachers have selected her to MC Woodson’s kindergarten promotional exercises. And although Autumn excels in all subjects, she is most outstanding in math. She is already solving double-digit-addition equations, and she has exceeded every kindergarten math standard, and beyond.

Autumn is the epitome of excellence. She helps her classmates when they need help, she never misbehaves and she encourages everyone to succeed. Her kindergarten teachers are proud to claim Autumn as one of their own. They whole-heartedly  value her as a student and a person because she not only strives to learn all that she can, but everyday after she completes her work, Autumn helps other students sitting near her.

Autumn has achieved well beyond what her parents and teachers expect from her academically, but she doesn’t stop there. In pre-kindergarten she actively participated in the Brownies Girl Scout program, and this year, in addition to being an “A” student, Autumn is also a very active member of Woodson’s cheerleading squad and soccer team. Autumn demonstrates her leadership skills during practices, and her teammates really appreciate when the teacher in her comes out.  She learns new skills quickly and then makes a great effort to help her teammates  understand the skills as well.

Autumn is a very talented student with a bubbly personality! She gained swift stardom among her peers after she debuted on Woodson’s morning announcements, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the school’s “No Place for Hate” pledge. From there she tried out for the school’s talent show and is now slated to perform in front of all her friends and family on Thursday, May 9^th. Autumn’s parents are very proud at how well she has done in school; soon she will be off to first-grade where they know she will do very well!

Written by Brandon Green, Communications Ambassador, Woodson Primary School 

Name: Cecil Houston III

Grade: 5th Grade

School: Burgess-Peterson Academy

Cecil is a well-behaved and talented fifth grade student at Burgess-Peterson Academy.  He has a natural passion and talent for music, and has been a drummer in the school band for the past two years. “I like playing the drums because my dad played drums, and I like the sounds and beats that they make,” Cecil says. He hopes to expand his musical talent by learning other percussion instruments in the future. Although Cecil seems to be born as a musician, he is passionate about sports as well. His dream is to become a professional football player when he grows up. He loves to play basketball and soccer, and wants to play against different teams professionally. “I like sports because its fun to watch, and it makes you stronger,” he says.

Cecil is known to be a well-mannered, patient, and sociable student. “I don’t get mad easily, and I get along with people,” Cecil says. He is respected among his peers with his friendly personality and genuine smile. Cecil is a valued student by his teachers and school administrators as well. “I am just amazed how balanced he is as a student,” Principal Robbins says. “He is very resilient and able to overcome obstacles that have been presented over the past few months. He is a scholar and a role model for his peers.” When Cecil was asked what motivates him to be a well-behaved, he responds by saying, “Principal Robbins is really fun and not mean at all, and so I want to be a good student.”

As he moves to Coan Middle School next year, he will miss playing football outside with his friends, but he is looking forward to making new memories and reaching new heights in the next chapter of his life.