Ebony's Top Black high school Seniors

Ebony, June, 2005

THE Top Black Seniors of 2005 are more than booksmart. They are local star athletes, and foreign student ambassadors. They are magnificent dancers and masterful debaters. And they are a reminder of the greatness that all Black youths can achieve when they put their minds to it.

DAVID & DANIEL YOUNG Twin brothers David and Daniel Young are co-valedictorians at the Bailey Magnet High School in Jackson, Miss. The brothers are on the National Honor Roll and are community mentors. David wants to study computer science; Daniel wants to become a certified public accountant.

CHRISTY MELTON of the Frederick Douglass High School in Atlanta is an accomplished violinist and the recipient of several science fair awards. Melton is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society. She wants to study history and pursue a career in the arts.

DANIELLE REED is class valedictorian at the Chicago International Charter School, Longwood Campus. She has performed with the Joffrey Ballet and the Universal Ballet of Korea. She plans to study physical therapy.

CALVIN A. ROLLINS II of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas won a scholarship from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts for his performance in the West African Dance category. He will study dance.

CHARLA SANDERS is the top-ranked student at Detroit's Renaissance High School. She is a Ventures Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. Sanders want to become an accountant.

KENNETH FORD of the Samuel Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Fla., has a perfect 4.0 GPA, is recognized by Who's Who Among Student Athletes, and has participated in the Goodwill Games in Australia. He will study engineering.

BRIAN GASTON is valedictorian of Houston's M.B. Smiley High School. He is recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students and is on the National Honor Roll. He wants to become a lawyer.

JAMELLA BROWN is the valedictorian at the Vashon High School in St. Louis. The aspiring news anchor is president of the National Honor Society, and has been recognized for leadership and citizenship by the Missouri Bar Association.

NAKEISBA BROWN is a top-ranked student at the Warren Easton Fundamental High School in New Orleans. Brown participates in the marching, jazz and symphonic bands, and is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. She wants to become a surgeon.

VICTORIA GRIER BRYANT of Brooklyn's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art is on the National Honor Roll and is recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students. She wants to become a museum curator.

ALISHA ROGERS of Detroit's Martin Luther King Jr. High School is a member of the National Honor Society and is a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award. She wants to become a graphic artist.

CORDERO THOMPSON is the top-ranked student at the Murrell Dobbins High School in Philadelphia. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Honor Roll and is a varsity football player. He wants to study accounting.

JOLEON PETTWAY is a student of the international Baccalaureate Program at the Murphy High School in Mobile, Ala. Pettway is on the National Honor Roll, is a member of the National Honor Society and is a varsity football offensive lineman. He wants to study engineering.

IVAN PHIFER Honor student Ivan Phifer of the North High School in Minneapolis has earned two broadcasting trophies and volunteers in various community pledge drives. He wants to become a radio or television broadcaster.

HOLLIE GRAY is valedictorian of Birmingham's Ensley High School. The senior class president is recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students, and is vice president of the National Honor Society. She plans to study nursing.

ARN ST. CYR II of Atlanta's Booker T. Washington High School has a perfect 4.0 GPA. St. Cyr is a student ambassador to Manchester, England, and is captain of the chess team. He wants to study pharmacy.

MARIA WILLIAMS is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club and the varsity track team At the Martin Luther King Magnet High School in Nashville, Tenn. Williams, a YMCA Volunteer of the Year, plans to study mathematics.

DEBORAH SMITH of the George Wythe High School in Richmond, Va., is the top-ranked student in her class. Smith is a recipient of the Mozart Musical Award, and is a member of the National Honor Society and the marching band. She plans to become an anesthesiologist.

OLUTOPE OMOSEGBON of Pike High School in Indianapolis is a commended student in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. She is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honors Math Society, the Spanish Honors Society and the High Honor Roll. She plans to study medicine.

ANTHONY MOORE is the top-ranked student of the Harding University High School in Charlotte, N.C. Moore is president of the Spanish Club and co-president of the National Honor Society. He plans to become a surgeon.