At Alma J. Brown Elementary Laboratory School’s fifth grade promotion ceremony, 27 students received diplomas. The ceremony was held in the School of Nursing Auditorium on the campus of Grambling State University. Their class motto was “You win not by chance but by preparation,” Roger Maris’ motto.
At the graduation, principal Regina Gregory presented the highest and second highest honor awards. Raegan Nation had the highest GPA for fifth grade, and Rickenzie Johnikin had the second highest GPA for fifth grade.
Achievement Recognition Day was held the day before. In attendance were Lula B. Wesley, who presided, and principal Gregory as well as other teachers and family.
Students for grades K-5 were awarded with Kindergarten Certificates, Top Cat, Most Improved Academic Student, Perfect Attendance, Helping Hand, and Honor Roll.
Other awards given were in the categories of Art Education, Computer Literacy, Band, Library Science Accelerated Reader, Health & Physical Education, Principal’s List, Top Academic Student, 4-H Club Recognition, D.A.R.E. Recognition, Student of the Month, Students of the Year, Teacher of the Year and special recognitions.
The Schoolwide Principal’s Awards went to Mareo Riley Jr., Jeleriya Gayles and Aaron Hill. This award is given to the students who hold the highest GPA in the entire school.
The Top Academic Student awards by grades went to: Kindergarten, Calyce Crawford; first grade, Jeleriya Gayles, Mareo Riley Jr. and Jevon Monroe; second grade, Aaron Hill and Kelli Copes; third grade, Jalen Garrison and Daelin Jones; fourth grade, Jacobe Boston and Gariandra Dupree; fifth grade, Raegan Nation and Rickenzie Johnikin.
The Student and Teacher of the Year awards went to Raegan Nation and Vickie Hill, respectively.
“This was a very successful awards program. The students did an outstanding job preparing for these awards,” stated Lula Wesley. “The principal, faculty, staff and parents were very pleased with the students’ achievements this school year.”
Other honor students recognized during graduation were Angela Benson, Kyrah Hill, Jahnette McMahon and Kourtney Rollins.
Wesley presented the Alma J. Brown Award to the students who attended AJB from kindergarten through fifth grade. The following students received this award: Morgan Gainous, Megan Gainous, ReEdward Swafford, Tylen Meeking, Asia Govan, Jonathan Hassen, Shandon Ludley, Jonathon Jackson, Enrico Hayes, Darius Williams and Undriana Williams.
The highlights of the day were the slide show and the speech given by Raegan Nation. The slideshow included pictures of the graduates when they were babies and pictures in their cap and gown.
The children yelled out names of the baby pictures and laughed when they saw the more recent photos. Soon after that Nation read her farewell speech, which brought tears to the eyes of her peers and the audience.