The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students honored at the Alliance of Black School Educators event
Education today is the foundation of success in the future, said local school leaders who gathered to praise the high marks of African American students. The Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators held its 35th Academic Achievement Award Program with the theme “Educate, Engage, & Empower: The Time is Now!” The event attracted a capacity crowd that filled the Stocker Arts Center of Lorain County Community College for the ceremony Feb. 24. The Alliance honors students earning all A grades, along with high school seniors graduating in the top 5 percent or 10 percent of their classes. Tiffany Tarpley, a Lorain native and WKYC Channel 3 journalist, served as master of ceremonies on a stage with a who’s who of Lorain County educators and their supporters. Guest speaker was Carrie Jasper, director of outreach to parents and families in the office of communications and outreach for the U.S. Department of Education. Lorain High School student
Pablo Oquendo II played “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black National Anthem, on his violin, and he was one of the dozens of other guests of honor who came from Lorain County schools. “By the look of the amount of people in this audience, we have some very high achieving students, and I just want to say, give yourselves a round of applause,” said Lorain County Alliance President Jerome Davis, who also is superintendent of Clearview Local Schools. The crowd responded with claps of approval. Ohio has eight active affiliates
of the National Alliance of Black School Educators, with more than 100 members, and the state organization is growing, said Betty Maceo, board member of the national and state groups. They share a common mission: to increase the academic achievement level of all students, particularly those of African descent, by promoting programs and effective teaching techniques, Maceo said. “Congratulations to the students, you are future leaders for your accomplishments thus far,” Maceo said. “Thank you to the parents, teachers, for your
guidance, sacrifices and support that you provide to all of our students.” She thanked the Lorain County Alliance for recognizing, identifying and celebrating the accomplishments of the students. Doug Grayson, recording secretary of the Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators, said he did not prepare a long speech, but he gave the students their direction forward. “Just keep up the good work and God bless you,” Grayson said. “Just make your goals reality.” Since it started, the program has recognized more than 14,350 students, with scholarships totaling more than $315,000. Herman Noland led the Litany of Commitment, a pledge to improve educational opportunities for African American students. Additional speakers were the Rev. J. Robert Jackson, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church; Lorain County Commissioner Sharon Sweda; Minister Inez James, first vice president of the Lorain County Alliance; founder Gloria Funches Noland; and Otis Funches. The AGAPE Choir, directed by Paulette D. Barnes, sang for the cultural presentation of the ceremony.