Posts tagged ‘Therrell High School’
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 2nd 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 9th. 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.
JA Day at L.O.K!
L.O. Kimberly welcomed the JROTC students from Therrell High School as students at Kimberly participated in JA Day. JA Day is a day designed for Junior Achievement members to support the community by volunteering to deliver the JA curriculum and share experiences with students. The focus of the Junior Achievement organization is to educate all students about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. These concepts are taught by providing hands-on programs. According to the Junior Achievement of Georgia’s website, JA programs help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action, and they learned the value of contributing to their communities.
During JA Day at L.O.K, each grade level experienced a different lesson to inspire and prepare them for their own economic success. Kindergarten students participated in activities and heard stories to develop personal economic concepts. The first graders learned about the roles families have in the local economy, and second grade students examined responsibilities and economic opportunities in a community.
When asked about the day with the JA volunteers, first grader Kelmonte W. said, “It was fun because they let us read.”
Ann L., also a first grader, commented, “We got to decorate our own map of places where community helpers work.”
The third grade students discussed local business and career opportunities, fourth grade students focused on state and regional economies, and fifth grade focused on business operations, job skills and economics on a national level.
“We learned about owning our own businesses,” explained Sa’Devion B., a third grader at Kimberly. “I want to own my own bowling alley near where I live so kids and adults can have fun together in their own neighborhood.”
The experiences shared by the volunteers from Therrell High School were valuable experiences for our students at Kimberly. The high school students enjoyed lunch with each class, and during this time, the elementary students were able to ask questions about high school and life beyond elementary school. Kimberly’s counselor, Mrs. Harkless-Brown, helped to organize the event. She was pleased with the “extra knowledge” gained by all of the students, and she looks forward to providing this program for students each year.
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams Inspires Students at the 12th Annual Lowery Lecture Series
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta) recently served as the keynote speaker during the 12th annual Joseph Lowery Lecture Series on Civic Engagement at Therrell High School delivering a memorable message to students.
This yearly lecture series, held during the week of Rev. Lowery’s birthday, allows students the opportunity to hear from key local, state and national leaders while also asking and receiving answers to questions about politics, human rights issues and education topics.
More than 500 individuals – mostly seniors from every APS high school – the event. This year’s event marked Rev. Lowery’s 91st birthday. Students and adults alike were inspired by the living legend’s quick wit and frank talk. Both leaders answered questions about the persistence of civil rights activists, the 2012 presidential election, and students’ responsibility to be aware and engaged civically. Joining the celebration were Superintendent Erroll Davis, Chair Reuben McDaniel, Vice Chair Byron Amos, and board members Cecily Harsch-Kinnane and Brenda Muhammad.
Abrams serves as the House Minority Leader for the Georgia General Assembly and as State Representative for Georgia House District 84 – soon to be District 89. Her district currently includes the communities of Candler Park, Columbia, Druid Hills, East Lake, Highland Park, Kelley Lake, Kirkwood, Lake Claire, Oakhurst, South DeKalb, Toney Valley and Tilson. Beginning in January, District 89 will add East Atlanta in DeKalb.
Lowery, a native of Huntsville, Ala., served as one of the chief organizers of the Selma, Montgomery marches in 1965 that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act. A longtime president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Lowery created the SCLC with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. and Fred Shuttlesworth, who died last October. At ninety, Lowery is the oldest surviving leader of the non-violent civil rights demonstrations of the 1950s and 1960s.
In 2009 Lowery delivered the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration. Later that year, the nation’s first African-American president awarded Lowery the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the country’s highest civilian award—to honor Lowery’s service to the nation.
Interim Principals Scheduled to Serve at Jackson, B.E.S.T. Academy and Therrell High Schools During 2012-2013
Atlanta Public Schools will appoint interim principals for Jackson, B.E.S.T. Academy and Therrell high schools for the 2012-13 school year.
The district is committed to identifying high-performing candidates to lead our schools in the interim, as well as long term.
Permanent principal assignments will be made by the end of the upcoming school year. Full community input and participation will be expected and encouraged during the search and selection process.
Our students deserve high quality, effective school leaders and we will invest the time and resources necessary to ensure that we recruit the most talented, innovative and results driven principals available.
APS Cool Kid: Dexwin Thompson
Therrell 2012 Graduate Dexwin Thompson described as a quietly effective leader by L.E.A.D.
Scholar, athlete and 2012 graduate of Therrell High School, Dexwin Thompson, is the APS ”Cool Kid” for the week of June 18, 2012.
During the 2011-2012 school year, Dexwin served as an Ambassador for the L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct), program. The elite of L.E.A.D., the Ambassadors, represent the organization and the city of Atlanta in summer college exposure baseball tournaments and in community service and civic engagement experiences in the metro Atlanta area from November through July.
This school year, Dexwin received Therrell High School’s Scholar-Athlete award and will attend LaMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, TN on a baseball scholarship.
He attributes receiving the award, as well as his college admission and scholarship, to the academic standards set by the L.E.A.D. mentorship program. Off the field, Dexwin volunteers throughout the community and has even encouraged two other Therrell classmates to join the L.E.A.D. organization.
L.E.A.D. co-founder, Kelli Stewart, says that Dexwin played an instrumental role in guiding the academic future of his classmates who also received baseball scholarships to college this fall. Stewart says, “Dexwin is quiet, but he’s effective. He has proven on and off the field that he has the ability to inspire and lead others.”
Congratulations Dexwin Thompson!
What is L.E.A.D.? L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct), a 501c3 nonprofit organization operating in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to having a significant impact on the number of inner city middle and high school student- athletes playing competitive baseball to prepare them to compete for college baseball scholarships.
Campus Wide High School Meetings Hosted by Karen Waldon, Deputy Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
Karen Waldon will host four campus wide meetings at the following high school campuses to discuss the recommended transition from Small Schools to Small Learning Communities:
South Atlanta
Booker T. Washington
George Washington Carver
D.M. Therrell
View the flyer below for dates and times. Download the flyer here: FLYER Campus meetings
Public Hearing Schedule: High School – Small School Transitions
Download a PDF of this Flyer: Small school transition — FLYER –
Download a PDF of this Flyer: Small school transition — FLYER –
King Middle and Therrell High students awarded the 2011 Georgia Progressive Reading Grant
Congratulations to Kalisha George at King Middle School and Pam Givens-Brown at Therrell High School on being awarded the Georgia Progressive Reading Grant.
Capstone Digital, developer of personalized learning environments for students, announces the recipients of its Georgia Progressive Reading Grant, a program focused on improving literacy in schools.
“We’re thrilled to provide schools with an innovative digital solution that will encourage students to read more books, more often in an exciting digital environment” said Haygood Poundstone, Vice President of Capstone Digital. “These students will have access to their own virtual backpack with over 1500 enhanced digital books (non-fiction and fiction) at their fingertips. And, it weighs nothing at all!”
Recipients of the 2011 Georgia Progressive Reading Grant are:
Atlanta Public Schools:
- Therrell High School of Law, Government and Public Policy
- King Middle School
Bibb County Schools:
- Alexander II Magnet School (Bibb County After School Program)
Twiggs County Schools
- Jeffersonville Elementary School
- Twiggs County Middle School
- Twiggs County High School
myON reader provides students with a unique online environment where they have access to the largest digital library with reading supports, including audio, highlighting and embedded dictionary, gives teachers access to personalize reading programs for their students, and gives administrators the ability to monitor and forecast reading growth based on class, grade, building and district.
“The Georgia Progressive Reading Grant will serve as another opportunity and avenue for TCPS to realize our number one goal, to increase learning and achievement for our students. The myON reader will provide our students and other school system stakeholders access to an online digital library with reading supports. We believe this will encourage students to read more books, and develop and/or expand their love of reading.” Dr. Valya Lee, Superintendent, Twiggs County Public Schools
For more information on myON reader, visit www.TheFutureinReading.com.
