Dear Graduating Class of 2023:
Today is the day that we honor and congratulate the resolve, perseverance, and determination shown by members of the Graduating class of 2023 at KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School.
You have accomplished one very important milestone in your life. I commend your hard work that led you to this educational achievement. For you, there are still many other milestones to achieve, and with these milestones are challenges. Let this great accomplishment inspire you to study harder, work harder, and give your very best to pursue your dreams and aspirations. Consider the challenges that come your way as opportunities to learn and to grow. Graduates, you all will soon walk across the stage to accept your diplomas and you will begin the through which your family, friends, and school community have worked hard to support. Wherever you decide to go next in life, know that your KIPP family is here to support you.
Parents, I would like to thank you for entrusting your child’s education to KIPP Memphis Public Schools. I congratulate you as well on this special day. Everyone has gathered today to celebrate these graduates, and we thank you for celebrating with us. Life will undoubtedly throw these young men and women roadblocks, but it is your graduate’s response to those roadblocks that will determine the course of their lives. Continue to believe in them as they forge ahead into their next season.
On behalf of the KIPP Memphis Public Schools family, thank you for allowing us to be part of this milestone. Just like the Phoenix rises to face new challenges and a new day, you must rise to the occasion and pursue your own bright future. Congratulations and best wishes to each of you!
Sincerely,
Antonio M. Burt
Chief Executive Officer, KIPP Memphis Public Schools
2670 UnionAve Ext• Memphis, TN 38112 • (901) 452-2682
Bertram Williams Jr.
Bertram Williams Jr. is a proud, native Memphian. He is a graduate of Overton High School and the University of Memphis, where he received his bachelors degree in Business Economics and is in pursuit of Masters degree in City and Regional Planning.After over a decade of service in various government, non-profit, arts and education organizations, Bertram tried his hand at tv and film, ultimately landing a role on the Starz/Lionsgate Original drama P-VALLEY as “Woddy.” Prior to connecting with Katori Hall, P-VALLEY’s creator and showrunner, Bertram spent over a decade steeped in the storytelling tradition of theAfrican diaspora through his work on stage at Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis, TN.
When he’s not on set, you might find Bertram digging in someone’s garden, as he is grounded squarely in the fight for healthy, food secure communities. He is quickly becoming a leading voice in the push for an equitable, viable food production system in the mid-south. He believes that we ALL have a role to play in addressing this issue and we should be acting like our lives depend on it, because they do. Bertram lives in South Memphis, with his beautiful wife, Talibah Safiya, where they operate Mama’s Sundry, a social enterprise designed to help families live more healthful, sustainable lives.
KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School Class of 2023 Commencement Program
Processional…………………………………….……… “Pomp and Circumstances” Sir Edward Elgar
Pledge of Allegiance……..………………………………SSG. Terrence Davidson
National Anthem………….………………………. Psalmist Deborah Manning Thomas Accompanied by Mr. James Pope Jr.
Welcome…………………..…………………………Christopher Gasca, KMCH Class of 2023
It Couldn’t Be Done…………………………………………..
Coleman
Class of 2023
Salutatorian Address………….…………...………………..…..Tallia Boyland
Class of 2023
Musical
Class of 2023
Chief Executive Officer KIPP Memphis Public Schools
Awarding of Diplomas.……………………..………
N. Atwell, Ph D Assistant Principal of Academics
Shanette Jones, Ph.D Math Professional Learning Coach Conferring of
Recessional……………………………………………………….Grand March, Guiseppe Verdi
Please Remain Seated Until Each Graduate’s Name Is Called & The Recessional Ends!
Kabria
KMCH
KMCH
Selection….……………………...………..Cornelius Love, KMCH Sophomore
KMCH
KMCH
Valedictorian Address ………………………………….……………………Aria Springfield
Class of 2023 Introduction of Keynote Speaker……………………………………………Jakierra Huggins
Kourtney
KMCH
KIPP
Announcement……………………………………….Mikara Davis KIPP
Scholarship
Announcement………………………………………………Latonya
KPP
Principal’s
….………….…………………………………………………Principal Kelly
……….……..…………………..……………………….Dr.
Keynote Address…………………..……..………….............................................Mr. Bertram Williams, Actor Musical Selection……………………….………….…………………....
Banks
Class 2025
Board Member Scholarship
Memphis Board Chair
Award
Wooten
Forward Senior College Match
Address
D. Henderson Presentation of the Class of 2023
Antonio Burt
Prima
Rev. Dr. Althea
Diplomas………………..…………………..………………
Greene Chair MSCS Board Member District 2 Closing Remarks ……Principal Kelly Henderson
It Couldn’t Be Done
BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST
Somebodysaidthatitcouldn’tbedone Buthewithachucklereplied That“maybeitcouldn’t,”buthewouldbeone Whowouldn’tsaysotillhe’dtried. Sohebuckledrightinwiththetraceofagrin Onhisface.Ifheworriedhehidit. Hestartedtosingashetackledthething Thatcouldn’tbedone,andhedidit!
Somebodyscoffed:“Oh,you’llneverdothat; Atleastnooneeverhasdoneit;” Buthetookoffhiscoatandhetookoffhishat Andthefirstthingweknewhe’dbegunit. Withaliftofhischinandabitofagrin, Withoutanydoubtingorquiddit, Hestartedtosingashetackledthething Thatcouldn’tbedone,andhedidit.
Therearethousandstotellyouitcannotbedone, Therearethousandstoprophesyfailure, Therearethousandstopointouttoyouonebyone, Thedangersthatwaittoassailyou. Butjustbuckleinwithabitofagrin, Justtakeoffyourcoatandgotoit; Juststartintosingasyoutacklethething That“cannotbedone,”andyou’lldoit.
TOP 25 SENIORS
1. Springfield,Aria Nicole
2. Boyland, Tallia Jenar
3. Castaneda, Eliezer David
4. Lewis, Hannah Leighann
5. Bail, Norma Margarita
6. Payton, Jeremiah Evan-Deshun
7. Williams, Joshua Ramon
8. Thomas,AlexisA'more
9. Coleman, Kabria Lynn
10. Morris, Warren Montreal
11. Sprouse, Bria Symore'
12. Gasca, Christopher
13.Avery, Roland Shabrone
14. Resendiz, Edwin Yunuen
15. Beattie, DeKesia
16. Neal, Roman Martell
17. Becton, Treynce' Janay
18. Brown, Marcus D
19. Torres, Monserat
20. Murrell, Destiny D
21. Jackson, Kirby Trediel
22. Penaflor, Yoselin
23. Neal, Tamia Janae
24. Oliveros, Edward Christopher
25. Moore, Dasia Faye
25. Scott, MakaylaAnn
HOPE LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP
Avery, Roland Shabrone
Bail, Norma Margarita
Beattie, DeKesia
Becton, Treynce' Janay
Boyland, Tallia Jenar
Brown, Marcus D
Castaneda, Eliezer David
Coleman, Kabria Lynn
Gasca, Christopher
Jackson, Kirby Trediel
Lewis, Hannah Leighann
Morris, Warren Montreal
Murrell, Destiny D
Neal, Roman Martell
Payton, Jeremiah Evan-Deshun
Penaflor, Yoselin
Resendiz, Edwin Yunuen
Springfield,Aria Nicole
Sprouse, Bria Symore'
Thomas,AlexisA'more
Torres, Monserat
Williams, Joshua Ramon
NATIONALHONOR SOCIETY
BLUEAND GOLD CORDS
Bail, Norma
Boyland, Tallia
Castaneda, Eliezer
Coleman, Kabria
Gasca, Christopher
Lewis, Hannah
Neal, Roman
Payton, Jeremiah
Penaflor, Yoselin
Springfield,Aira
Sprouse, Bria
Thomas,Alexis
Williams, Joshua
VITALANT BLOOD DONORS
PURPLEAND ORANGE CORDS
Maracio Barnes
Rodrigues Eaton
Brandi Epps
Roman Neal
Edward Oliveros
Edgard Orozoco
Jamie Smith
