What makes the Class of 2015 shine? We asked some of our stellar graduates and school administrators. Here’s what they had to say:

 

Shawnquinette Davis 

 

It was the famous Marching Knights band program that brought Shawnquinette Davis to Ballou, but it was the people who kept her there. Shawnquinette transferred to Ballou from a charter school to play in the marching band, where she is now the clarinet section leader. She did not expect to make so many friends or like it so much, and she especially enjoyed “that the teachers here really want to help the student.” She made friends instantly and was excited by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that allowed her to open up and accept the challenge of graduating a year early (she’s a precocious junior!) She’ll be attending Bennett College in the fall. She’s thinking of majoring in biology and becoming a science teacher since she noticed her classmates tend to ask her questions! Shawnquinette says that two people, in particular, motivated her to work extra hard: Band Director Mr. Watson and her older sister, who unexpectedly passed away last year. Her advice to incoming freshmen? “Don’t be afraid! People say stuff about this school, and they make it something it’s not. Once you get here, you see students working hard and going to class on time. Don’t be afraid.”

 

Elizabeth Murdoch

 

Elizabeth has her eyes set on one thing right after she graduates: sleep. After four challenging but invigorating years at School Without Walls (SWW), she deserves it! Elizabeth is graduating at the top of her class and will attend Stanford University in the fall, where she plans on studying electrical engineering with a specialty in energy and the environment. “My passion is green roofs,” said Elizabeth. Her interest began with the human geography/environment classes she took at SWW, in which she learned about renewable energy. She even wrote her senior paper on green roofs. But this isn’t the only passion she picked up at SWW: “After I took art history, I started becoming interested in art museums. Now I love visiting them!” She encourages future high schoolers to do the same—“Choose classes that help you discover who you are.”

 

 

Frank Bailey III

 

Frank started at Dunbar a few years later than the rest of his classmates after he transferred from a charter school as a junior. But he started excelling immediately. He has kept a 4.0 GPA while becoming an all-star hurdler, winning the DCIAA title in 300 and 110 meters earlier this year. After acceptance at more than one dozen schools, he’s chosen to attend Bowie State University in the fall. He’ll study forensic science and plans on continuing to hurdle. He admits that there were times when he wanted to stop doing his best, but the memory of his mother, who died when he was in 8th grade, keeps him going. “My mom would want me to be better and persevere. And I want to make her proud.”

 

Marvin Mundo

 

When Marvin came to the United States in 2010 from El Salvador, he barely spoke English. Today, he’s salutatorian of the Cardozo Class of 2015. Marvin will be attending Marymount University next year and will major in business administration. He hopes his degree will help his family fulfill its dream of starting a Salvadorean restaurant business. While at Cardozo, Marvin ran track and helped start a soccer team. He’s made good friends and also formed relationships with mentors and role models such as English teacher Mr. O’ Leary and math and engineering teacher Mr. Pangilinan. “They knew about my situation and kept motivating me to persevere,” Marvin said. “The future keeps me going. I do whatever I have to do to keep moving forward." His advice to future high schoolers is this: “The only one who can change your destiny is yourself. So don’t give up.”

 

Adam Lazere

 

When Adam first started at SWW, he was shy and afraid of public speaking. Today, he’s not afraid to speak in front of and “wow” crowds. That’s because SWW created an environment “where it’s safe to open up and try new things. There’s friendliness and openness here. People don’t judge.” One of his proudest public speaking moments was when he presented his study on bumblebees’ reaction to toxic nectar at a science fair. He worked with a George Washington University professor on that one. Adam also ran cross country, participated in video production and played viola in the DC Youth Orchestra (and guitar on the side). One unique thing about this teen? You won’t find him on texting, Tweeting, Snapchatting, or Facebooking like other highschoolers.  “I prefer talking face to face.” Adam will attend Oberlin College in the fall.

 

LaShawn Montgomery, School Counselor 

 

A lot can change over four years, and Ms. Montgomery can give you hundreds of examples of the students she’s seen. She’s watched students transition from middle school to high school before blossoming into straight-A young adults. She’s seen teen parents —and students without parents —make it to school on time, turn in their homework, play sports and instruments, and go to college on scholarships. She’s spent countless hours talking to students and finding “teachable moments” to educate them about life and the real world. She’s woken up at the crack of dawn to drive some of them to visit colleges to find their best fit. She’s watched shy and insecure students grow into their own skin and attain maturity and confidence. “These students are so different and yet so alike,” she said. “They’re the most resilient teens I’ve ever met.”

 

Braswell Chappelle

 

It wasn’t easy at first for Braswell. He had a rough start as a freshman and struggled academically. Then he found out that he wasn’t alone. “I realized that my teachers would always be there for me, whenever I needed them.” He also started participating in all sorts of activities, including baseball, basketball, golf, and student government, where he is president. Today, he’s near the top of his class and received $70K in scholarships to attend the University of Arizona in the fall, where he’ll major in business administration. His dream is to start his own business and be a role model for young people. “I see that in my neighborhood, many people are doing the same thing, and there aren’t that many leaders. I want to motivate the younger students and give back to my community. I want to make a change.”