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Youngstown students with stellar academics go for the gold
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Even though she’s just a high school freshman, Daynah Eager already has her mind on possible college and career choices.
Suffice it to say that she has achieved a major first step – the proof of which was draped around her neck.
“I feel kind of important,” the Valley Christian School ninth-grader said with a big smile. “I’m just mesmerized.”
The main source of her pride was being one of an estimated 525 students who attend schools in Youngstown who earned medallions during Sunday afternoon’s seventh Acacemic Achievement Olympiad in Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.
Gold, silver and bronze medallions were awarded to students in grades one through 12 who have maintained “A,” “B” and “C” grade averages, respectively. The ceremony’s decorum and protocol were patterned after the Olympics.
Also recognized and honored during the one-hour program were parents, guardians and others who are proactive in assisting with the students’ academic accomplishments and success.
“I try to inspire her as much as I could,” said Daynah’s mother, Francine Eager. “ I help her with her multiplication tables, and I’m helping her with her Spanish.”
Daynah, who listed biology and Spanish as her favorite subjects, said she has her eyes on possibly attending the University of California at Santa Barbara after having heard a lecture on that university’s offerings. Being a nurse practitioner or a science teacher are her primary career interests, Daynah continued.
Helping to host the event was the Family Empowerment Student Achievement Institute. Its main purpose is to assist with building and fostering greater partnerships between the schools and homes in the city, noted Carole I. McWilson, who, along with her husband, Jimma McWilson, founded the institute.
This school year will feature academic-achievement pep rallies at the end of each grading period in all of the schools. The special events, much like trials for the Olympics, are to further motivate students and provide additional incentives for them to continue achieving academically, she explained.
Carole McWilson added she’s pleased to see elementary-school youngsters being awarded, largely because the efforts to motivate students to be successful must begin early.
“We want these kids to get in early and for their parents to get in early ... so they know they’re part of their child’s success program,” she said.
Among those who appear to be part of that effort was Christopher Johnson, a Volney Rogers Elementary School third-grader, who took home a silver medallion.
“I’m very proud of him; he’s a smart, bright boy,” said Christopher’s grandmother, Jennifer Justice, before the two high-fived each other. Justice added that her grandson is in an after-school program and that she helps him with his schoolwork at home.
Justice said she’s pleased to see more programs in the district to guide students toward greater academic success. In addition, a higher number of parents are taking proactive measures to ensure their children’s success, she observed.
“I never got a bad grade!” said an excited Christopher, whose goal for this year is to keep his grades up.
Krish Mohip, the district’s chief executive officer, emphasized what he sees as greater hope for the city and schools. Challenges remain, but the district continues to make progress, said Mohip, who pointed to a B on the recently released state report cards as well as a 5.6 percent increase in the graduation rate this year.
“Do not give up on yourselves; we will not give up on you,” the CEO said, adding that it’s instructive not to focus on where the students came from, but on where they’re going.
“You have crossed a benchmark, not the finish line,” said the Rev. Joseph Boyd of the Unitarian Universalist Church on the North Side. He added, “As you go on this race, we recommend you have a vision for your life that’s tied to your achievements.”
Making additional remarks were Kyowa Pegues of Chemical Bank, one of the sponsors; Sharmon Lesnak, president of Altrusa International of Youngstown; and George Freeman Jr., president of the NAACP’s Youngstown/Mahoning Valley chapter.