Top Black High School Seniors

Ebony, June, 2001

IF the future of the race depends on the success of its children, then the top Black High School Seniors from the Class of 2001 foretell a people who are destined for greatness.

True to the call of the future, these phenomenal students not only excel scholastically, but have also made substantial contributions to their families, their schools and their communities via volunteer work and social activism.

* Albert J. Strickland ranks in the top 5 percent of his class at Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Tri-M Honors Music Society and is captain of the baseball and soccer teams. He will attend Harvard University and plans to become an investment banker.

* Kathleen Turner is on the Super Honor Roll for Dance at Fort Hayes Arts & Academic High School in Columbus, Ohio. The National Honor Society member has received a full scholarship to BalletMet in Columbus and a full talent scholarship to Ohio State University. Her goal is a successful career in the performing arts.

* Brandi Jordan is on the Principal's List at North Atlanta High School. She is vice president of the National Honor Society and the co-captain of the Academic Decathlon. Jordan, a recipient of the prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship, will attend Vanderbilt University. Her goal is to become an emergency medical physician.

* Andre E. Harding attends the High School of Economics and Finance in New York, where he ranks in the top 5 percent of his class. The Salomon Smith Barney intern has earned over 120 hours of community service in the school's science department, and he plans to become a chemist.

* Porsha Cropper is valedictorian of the Crenshaw Learn Charter High School in Los Angeles. The American Decathalon captain has been accepted at both Princeton and Harvard universities, and she plans a dual career that includes journalism and practicing contract labor law.

* Zachary Raynor, an All-American Scholar, attends the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston. He is a National Ventures Scholar, a member of the National Beta Club and is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. The future cardiologist has received a Morehouse Academic Scholarship worth approximately $75,000.

* Mari Marshall is the top-ranked student at Rufus King High School for the College Bound in Milwaukee. The National Achievement Scholarship finalist spends her free time on mission trips to Mexico, El Salvador and Argentina, where she helps to build churches and distribute food. Her goal is to become an obstetrician.

* Kiana M. Jamison is the highest-ranking student at Richmond Community High School. The Richmond Public School Straight "A" Scholar is recognized in Who's Who Among American High School Students and is a volunteer with the Special Olympics. She wants to become an entertainment attorney.

* Stephen McCoy of Metro Academic & Classical High School in St. Louis is a member of the National Honor Society, soccer team, math club and engineering club. He is also captain of the basketball team. The future entrepreneur will attend Millikin University.

* Felicia Thomas of Marian Abramson Senior High School in New Orleans ranks in the top 5 percent of her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society, has been recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students, and is captain of the flag team. Thomas will attend Xavier University.

* Temeka L. Johnson is a champion debater at the South Side College Preparatory Academy in Chicago. The journalism and multimedia design student is president of the National Honor Society and the school's desktop publishing enterprise. She will attend Howard University.

* Alia C. Burton ranks in the top 5 percent of her class at Philadelphia High School for Girls. She is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. The vocal music enthusiast will attend Yale University, and she plans to become an architect.

Broderick Smith is salutatorian of Harper-Archer High School in Atlanta. In his spare time, Smith helps construct playgrounds for underprivileged children and volunteers with the senior citizen's Annual Meals on Wheels banquet. He will attend the University of Georgia and plans to become a certified public accountant.

* Adebola 0wolewa, a Boston Globe All-Scholastic Runner, attends Boston Latin School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity indoor and outdoor track teams. She tutors Latin and has earned two gold medals in the National Latin Exam. She will attend Brown University.

* Telecia Wise attends Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, Texas. She has been recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students and is a member of Upward Bound. Wise volunteers with the local AIDS food bank and the AIDS walk-a-thon. The future accountant will attend Texas Wesleyan.

* Gina Herman of Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, N.Y., is a member of the National Honor Society, vice president of the student council and treasurer of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD).