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Students rally for upcoming assessments
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Williamson Elementary School kindergarten through second-graders gathered to encourage the school’s third- through fifth-graders who will be taking the Ohio Achievement Test on Friday. Williamson hosted a “Rally for the Test” on Wednesday. At right, Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Connie Hathorn speaks to students at the rally.
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Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Connie Hathorn speaks to students Wednesday at Williamson Elementary School as they prepare for Friday’s Ohio Achievement Assessments.
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Williamson Elementary School fifth- graders Ray’Jon McElroy, Nia Leggett and Nadia Brooks were encouraged by the message of empowerment promoted by school and community leaders.
“I took that in,” said Ray’Jon, 11.
Third- through fifth-graders will take the Ohio Achievement Test on Friday, and the school and Principal Wanda Clark staged a Rally for the Test on Wednesday to provide support.
The school’s kindergarten through second-graders paraded through the school gymnasium carrying banners, bells and maracas, chanting. “Do your best on the test. Don’t settle for less.”
The newly formed Voices of Hope gospel choir, under the direction of parent Angie McCoy, offered musical inspiration.
Superintendent Connie Hathorn, Youngtown State University President Cynthia Anderson, Andrea Mahone and Richard Atkinson, school board members; Yulanda McCarty-Harris, YSU director of equal opportunity and diversity; Loreatha Hawkins, a children’s book author; the Rev. Lewis Macklin of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church; the Rev. Robin Woodberry, associate pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church; and Tray Waite, a Warren G. Harding High School student who was a finalist for the high school football Rudy Award, spoke to students about the test’s importance.
The Rev. Ms. Woodberry compared the students’ taking the test to the bibli-
cal story of David’s battle with Goliath. Just like the smaller David defeated the giant Goliath, the students can ace the test.
“It’s OK,” she said. “It’s just a Goliath. There’s nothing to it. You’ve been prepared.”
Mahone said she’d provide snacks for the students after each day’s test, from chocolate to popcorn to sno-cones. Hathorn said he’d pay for it.
Waite, a junior at Harding, came in third for the national “High School Rudy Awards,” which recognize students who inspire the community on and off the field. His mother died in a car accident when he was 5, and his father is in prison, but he’s maintained good grades through school and been involved in activities.
“I wish we had this,” he told students about the rally. “Take the test. It’s easy. I passed it. You can do it. Just stay focused.”
Hawkins told the children to read everything they can and to become lifelong learners.
Ray’Jon, Nia and Nadia concede some nervousness leading up to test day, but they say they’re ready. The encouragement from Wednesday’s speakers bolstered their confidence even more.
“I haven’t failed anything yet,” Nadia said.
Ray’Jon and Nia haven’t either, they said.
“I always have good grades,” Nia said.