Top high school seniors

Ebony, July, 1995

Compassionate, competitive students set sights high for the future

Motivated, accomplished and dedicated to excellence, this year's pick of Top High School Seniors epitomizes the best and brightest of the nation's pool of academically gifted Black students.

The 29 young scholars featured here were recommended by selected school boards and high school administrators nationwide and were judged on the basis of outstanding scholarship, leadership potential and community awareness and involvement.

Most of these students have exemplary grade point averages even though their demanding course loads frequently include college preparatory classes. Many are regulars on the honor roll and take first-place honors in local, state and national competitions in varsity sports, the arts, the sciences and mathematics. Some have viewed life through a different cultural lens via exchange programs with countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. Among the seniors are a published poet, a teen mother who ranks first in her class, a novelist, a radio talk show host and a national game-show contestant.

Many of the talented high school seniors listed here hope to be among the classical pianists, actuaries, trauma surgeons, pharmacists and journalists of the future. One young woman wants to be the country's first Black female U.S. Supreme Court justice.

A common spirit of competitiveness and compassion runs deeply among these high achievers. They tutor elementary schoolchildren, coach community sports teams, distribute food and clothing at local shelters and routinely speak to younger students about the pitfalls of drugs and gangs.

This fall, these future leaders will fulfill vet another dream as they continue their educational pursuits at various historically Black and historically White colleges and universities.

Kristin Johnson of Dallas plans to attend Georgetown University this fall after she graduates from the Law Magnet High School. With a 3.5 GPA, the debate team captain and National Honor Society president is ranked second in her class. A public service enthusiast at heart, the National Achievement scholar has worked with numerous political campaigns and has been instrumental in implementing the adopt-a-school program in her area.

Aisha-Marlena Powell ranks in the top percentile of her class of 420 at Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. The aspiring attorney has received numerous commendations and honors for academics. Designated as a Young Black Scholar, Powell is a member of the student council, captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and secretary of the school's dance troupe. Boston student Fitzroy Ward-Cawdette maintains a 3.77 GPA at South Boston High School where he ranks No. 1 in his class. A recipient of the Harvard Book Award and a member of the National Honor Society, he plans to study architecture, physics and robotics at the University of Massachusetts this fall.

Babatunde Alokolaro of Chicago has a 4.5 GPA at Whitney Young High School where he is a Principal's Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, concert orchestra, the swim team, the newspaper staff and the student council. The Illinois State Scholar is also a member of the city's youth symphony. The Student Leader awardee plans to study architecture and one day hopes to own his own architectural firm.

Nekia Hackworth of Atlanta has a 4.16 CPA at D. M. Therrell High School where she is valedictorian of a class of 220. First-place winner of a regional dramatic interpretation competition and lead actress for the school's theatrical group, the National Achievement scholar was also crowned Miss Black Teen Atlanta. Hackworth plans to major in English literature and applied statistics this fall and one day hopes to become a corporate attorney.

Latondra Lewis of Birmingham's Wenonah High School has a 4.4 GPA. The future anesthesiologist is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Club. Captain of the math team, she is also an active participant in the Academic Bowl and the marching and concert bands. She also plays the piano at her church.

Shane Callender ranks in the top percentile of a class of 831 at Brooklyn Technical High School in New York. Captain of the school's Tae-Kwon Do club and a member of the fencing squad, he has received several honors for outstanding scholastic achievements, including commendations for poetry. This National Achievement scholar, who will major in biochemistry this fall, wants to be a trauma surgeon.

Damon Williams is valedictorian in a class of 256 at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, D.C. The 1995 National Achievement Commended Scholar, National Honor Society student and school newspaper editor also ranked first in his class at the elementary and junior high school levels. With a 4.2 GPA, Williams is a member of the U.S. Senate Youth Program as a scholar youth leader and has served as a youth ambassador to Bonn, Germany. The business major plans to go into hotel and restaurant management.