Today, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) celebrated the success of 19 seniors from Anacostia and Ballou high schools in the District’s first-ever Emerging Male Scholars Recognition Ceremony. The Emerging Male Scholars Recognition Ceremony is a signature feature of DCPS’ Empowering Males of Color (EMOC) initiative launched earlier this year by Mayor Muriel Bowser and DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson. EMOC is a comprehensive plan of action to enhance the student experience, increase achievement, and prepare males of color for success in college, careers and life beyond DCPS.
The event, held at Courtyard by Marriott, featured two generations of DCPS alums who offered insights into the challenges and opportunities these students may encounter during their journey through higher education and beyond, as well as words of encouragement centered around the theme: “Go further and move toward your goals without fear.”
“At DCPS, we recognize that the narrative of failure is falsely attributed to far too many males of color. We know and believe the males of color in our schools are scholars and future leaders in the DC community and beyond,” said Dr. Robert Simmons III, DCPS Chief of Innovation and Research. “Today, we recognize the achievements of our males of color from Anacostia and Ballou, celebrate their successes in DCPS, and offer support and encouragement as they take the next step toward their futures.”
The event served as inspiration for DCPS males of color to remain focused on their academic and professional success and featured motivational speeches by Kenneth Slaughter (Coolidge High School class of 1969), senior advisor to Chancellor Henderson and graduate of Georgetown and Brown universities; Johnathan Hill, a 2013 graduate of McKinley Technology High School and rising Junior at Morehouse College; and Thomas Penny, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center. Each student received an achievement award from the chancellor and a career-themed gift bag that included neckties courtesy of the Men’s Wearhouse.
The following students were honored:
Anacostia High School
- Darrious Briscoe, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
- Braswell Chappelle, University of Arizona
- Daron Clingman, Potomac State College
- Elijah Costello, Hampton University
- Jordan Mchaney, Chabot College
- Nicholius Paulina, University of the District of Columbia
- Jeffrey Stibling, Nassau Community College
- Rashard Walker, Marshall University
- Chaka Malik Williams, Northern Virginia Community College
Ballou Senior High School
- Trionny Valdivia-Cazzol, Florida Institute of Technology
- Devonte Gooding, Johnson C. Smith University
- Diante Roach, University of Toledo
- DeAngelo Traynha, Glenville State College
- Malik Pelham, Morgan State University
- Tirri Jones, Morgan State University
- Shaquon Wells, Old Dominion University
- William Richardson, University of Connecticut
- Ray Walker, University of Toledo
- DeJohn Johnson, University of Toledo