As Atlanta Public Schools (APS) prepares for its upcoming graduation ceremonies, the school district celebrated its valedictorians, salutatorians, STAR students, and STAR teachers at a special luncheon inside the Ocean’s Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday, May 9.
The top students in APS, along with their families, enjoyed the music of the Benjamin E. Mays High School Jazz Band and the sights of beluga whales, sharks and other sea creatures passing by in the massive aquarium tanks featured in the Ocean’s Ballroom.
An enthusiastic Fred Blankenship, the morning anchor for WSB-TV, emceed the event and set the tone for celebrating the students’ accomplishments with thunderous applause.
“It’s really a tremendous occasion,” APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said. “What a great way to end the year and recognize students, particularly the valedictorians, salutatorians, STAR students, and STAR teachers for their hard work and their efforts.”
In addition to receiving their medals for their respective awards, each student was also awarded a Lenovo laptop. Booker T. Washington High School’s salutatorian and STAR student Vivian Fuller said she had a great time at the luncheon.
“I really felt recognized and rewarded,” she said. “Despite everything that I’ve been through, I still managed to make it. Through some of the trying times, my academics really acted as my rock.”
Fuller is deciding between attending Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University, where she plans to study accounting and pursue a career in forensic accounting.
Maynard Jackson High School’s salutatorian, Ezra Zyskowski, was impressed by the scale and atmosphere of the celebratory luncheon.
“I thought it was great,” he said. “I don’t go to a lot of big events like this, especially not big events that have this air of fanciness to them.”
For Zyskowski, becoming the salutatorian wasn’t his goal, but a product of him striving to do his best. He plans on majoring in Industrial Design and becoming an entrepreneur.
Soon, the 37 valedictorian, salutatorian, and STAR students will join their classmates and the rest of the graduating class of 2025 in receiving their high school diplomas. “We’re excited about this season for our students who are graduating,” Dr. Johnson said. “For the parents and the families, it’s a very exciting time. We’re excited to see what the graduates of APS will accomplish, because APS graduates do great things.”