Congratulations to the 2016 Graduates

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Congratulations, Graduates!

—President Barack Obama We couldn’t agree more with the president. In affirmation of that truth, The St. Louis American is proud to showcase 2016 area graduates, from pre-school through graduate school.

While negative news about African Americans and education rates and failing school districts gain much attention in the mainstream media, there ‘are’ many positive stories in our community. There ‘are’ many students who are achieving, many at a high level.

It is in the interest of all to educate better all of our children, to better

realize the potential of AfricanAmerican youth whose contributions are vital to the future of this region and nation. We are proud to highlight and congratulate these successful students as part of our mission: a commitment to foster quality education.

This annual special section aligns well with our award-winning, innovative Newspaper In Education program targeted to elementary students, as well as our annual Salute to Excellence in Education program which honors individual educators, while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local scholarships each year for deserving students.

We salute this year’s graduates and their achievement as well as their family members and their teachers, and share President Obama’s belief that nothing is more important than “giving everyone the best education possible.”

Need Help with College Plans?

St. Louis Graduates’ High School to College Center is ready to help for FREE with college counseling and financial aid advice over the summer.

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(314) 932-6956 info@stlouisgraduates.org No appointment necessary 618 N. Skinker Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112 Open June 1 – July 29 (closed Sundays and July 2 & 4) Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 am to 3 pm, Sat. 9 am to 12 noon

www.StLouisGraduates.org

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The High School to College Center is made possible by: The Clark-Fox Family Foundation, College Bound / Bridgit, Deaconess Foundation, 501creative, Incarnate Word Foundation, Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation, MOHELA, Monsanto Company, The Pettus Foundation, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, St. Louis Community Foundation, St. Louis Regional Chamber, Washington University in St. Louis and dozens of counselors from area middle schools, high schools, colleges and youth-serving nonprofit organizations.

Strengthening a community. Making a difference. ~ at ~

That’s what outstanding educators do, and what Missouri State strives to do as well. We applaud those honored for their exceptional efforts in the classroom and beyond.

And, we are excited that more St. Louis students are continuing their education at Missouri State, where they can follow their passion and find their place.

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Learn more about a University with academic excellence, amazing value and a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion: www.missouristate.edu

EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability

“If we want America to lead in the 21st century, nothing is more important than giving everyone the best education possible — from the day they start preschool to the day they start their career.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Donovan Edward Charleston

College Graduates

University of Missouri B.S. Textile and Apparel Management

Parents: Daryl and Taina Charleston

Carol Clay

Sydney Stallings Brown

Spelman College

Smith College

Parents: U.S. Rep. William “Lacy” Clay; Ivie Lewellen Clay

Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre Magna Cum Laude with highest honors Next step: Graduate school and Ph.D program in Media Studies

Parents: Stephanie Brown, Matthew Stallings

Akila Amaris Bryant

Lynda Marie Connor

Tuskegee University

Vatterott College (Fairview Heights, IL)

Animal and Poultry Sciences Next step: Attending Purdue University College

of Veterinary Medicine, August 2016

Cosmetology Next step: Pursuing a career in her skin and nail specialty

Parents: Revs. David and Jettie Bryant

Parent: Maureen Simmons

Henrietta D. Campbell

Heather Cousins

Webster University

Claremont McKenna College (California) Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies Next step: Heather is now employed

by American Prairie Reserve in Montana.

Bachelor’s Degree in International Human Rights

Parents: Steve and Holly Cousins

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Louis C. Cross, IV

Anthony Mayes

Webster University

United States Naval Academy

Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts Next step: Working as a graphic designer for a national customer engagement agency

Bachelor of Science in English Next step: The United States Marine Corp.

Quantico, VA, ranked as 2nd Lt.

Parents: Kevin and Rhonda Cross

Parents: Charles and Tangela Stovall

Darrion Harris

Carlyncia McDowell

Bradley University

Fort Zumwalt East High School

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Next step: Darrion has secured a position with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly in their Aviation department.

Spelman College for four years, Georgia Tech for two years Dual Degree Engineering Program

Parents: Alvin (Rod) and Keshia Harris

Parents: Carl and Sandra McDowell

Jocelyn Elise Gail Redding

Ryan Paul Hill Kansas Wesleyan University

Trinity College (Hartford, CT)

Bachelor of Arts in Business, minor in Accounting Next step: Ryan will continue at KWU to earn his Master’s in Business.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Next step: Attending Gallaudet University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology and a Psy.S in School Psychology.

Parents: Jerome and Molly Redding

Tyra P.M. Jenkins

DeAndre M. Ross

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Missouri S&T (Rolla, MO)

Biology (Pre-Med) with an emphasis in Criminology, Pierre Laclede Honors College, Cum Laude Next step: Attending the University of Missouri-

Architectural & Civil Engineering and Minor in Studio Arts Next step: DeAndre has accepted a job in San Diego, CA.

Kansas City Anesthesiology Assistant Program

Parents: Theresa Reed, Tyron Jenkins

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Devin GillespieWhitfield

Crystal Sanders Lindenwood University

Truman State University

Master’s of Art in Education (4.0 GPA) Next step: Pursue a doctorate degree in education and continue educating the community by providing valuable resources and information that helps lead to success.

Bachelor of Arts in Communications Next step: Teach and coach football at Hazelwood Central

Parents: Wendell and Shirley Sanders

Terry Lee Watkins, Jr.

Nicole Alexandra Williamson

Marquette University

Washington University

Bachelor of Arts Spanish Language & Literature, Bachelor of Arts Theatre

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Next Step: Harvard Law School in fall 2017; Teaching Assistant Program in France during interim.

Parents: The late Dr. Terry Watkins and Marcella Curry-Watkins

Parents: Keith Williamson and Addie Perkins Williamson

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Kyra Harper Short

POSTGrad

Saint Louis University School of Law Juris Doctor

Parents: David and Mae Harper

Stephanie Cousins

Elaine Denise Tomlin

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Webster University

Next step: Stephanie will enter her Residency Program in OBGYN in late June at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, CA.

Master’s in Human Resources Management Next step: Elaine plans to pursue a Doctorate of Education at Webster University in hopes of teaching Business education in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Parents: Steve and Holly Cousins

Parents: William and Vernice Tomlin

STLCC

CONGRATULATES THE CLASS OF 2016 We celebrate the success of our 2016 graduates as well as the success of more than 1.2 million students who have attended STLCC over the last 54 years.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

First row, from left: Sean Adams (peer mentor), Derrick Small, Trevaelyan Davis, Cameron Gallagher, Steven Qualls, Royce Purley and Jarrett Wright. Second row: Tony McDaniels, Aaron Allen, Isaiah Williams, Brandon Shephard, Nathan Wright and Richard Chandler Jr. Third row: Javian Tunstall (peer mentor), Quentin Harris, Darius Caffey (peer mentor), Joshua Brock, Sammie Arnold, Joshua Tyler and Anthony Newsome. Fourth row: John Stovall, Marquise White, Malachi Goodman, Adonis Jones, Joshua Watson, Christian Williams and Jeremy Evans. Not pictured: Christopher Grant, Justin Honore, Terrance Purdy Jr. (peer mentor), Justin Smith and Darius Thurston (peer mentor).

SUCCEED AT MIZZOU Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative empowers freshmen

College transition . . . MU’s program establishes an exceptional foundation for success. First-year black male students receive support from staff and peer mentors, develop leadership skills and get involved in campus and community service activities.

The Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative was named 2015 Outstanding Men’s Program by the American College Personnel Association. Above are participants and peer mentors from the 2014-15 school year.

Real results . . . MU retains 91 percent of MBMI

participants for their sophomore year, a higher retention rate than the state average of 75.7 percent and Mizzou’s average of 86.2 percent.

gobcc.missouri.edu/mbmi 573-882-2664 | gobcc@missouri.edu

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

High School Graduates

Aunjanee T. Irvin Carnahan High School of the Future Valedictorian, National Honor Society Next step: Attending Xavier University in New Orleans, LA to study Pharmacy

Parents: Tamara O’Neil, Anthony

Capri Taina Charleston

Carlyncia McDowell

Alton High School

Fort Zumwalt East High School

Next step: Attending Tuskegee University majoring, in Environmental Science

Spelman College for four years, Georgia Tech for two years Dual Degree Engineering Program

Parents: Daryl and Taina Charleston

Parents: Carl and Sandra McDowell

Frank L. Freeny

Jeremiah L. Melton

Carnahan High School of the Future

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (Olney, MD)

Next step: Attending Harris-Stowe State University, majoring in Engineering

Next step: Attending Washington University School of Engineering in fall 2016

Parents: Norris and Denise Freeny

Parents: Larry and Jacqueline Melton

Kennise Eboni Merriman

Everianna Marie Green Hazelwood West High School

Miller Career Academy

Next step: Harris-Stowe State University

Next step: Attending Missouri Baptist University on an athletic scholarship

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Brendon Chase Ogunnaike

Ashleigh Smith MICDS

McCluer North High School

Next step: Attending Duke University to major in Psychology and Public Policy

Next step: Brendon has been a musician since the young age of two. He plays seven different instruments, and he plans to pursue his musical career in Atlanta, GA.

Parent: Dr. Gladys Smith

Parents: Dr. Kynedra Ogunnaike and Marquita Norman

Taylor Nicole Quinn

Charles R. Tammons, Jr.

Hazelwood Central High School

Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Next step: Attending Indiana State University to study Forensic Science

Next step: Attending Rhodes College in fall 2016

Parents: Tamara and Erick Quinn

Parents: Charles and Renee Tammons

Cidny D. Ray

DiMaura Whitlock

Hazelwood East High School

Clyde C. Miller Career Academy

Parents: Chris and Cindy (special cousin Wanda)

Parents: Carla Gooch and Leslie Whitlock

Cayce Sloan

The St. Louis American Congratulates all of the

Webster Groves High School Next step: Cayce will be attending Missouri State University to pursue her degree in Athletic Training. Cayce plans to be an athletic trainer for a professional team or a D1 university in her future.

2016 Graduates!

Parents: Pleshette and Stephen Fantroy

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Junior High Graduates Maya Owens Hazelwood North Middle School Next step: Maya will attend Hazelwood Central High School for the 2016-2017 school year.

Kindergarten

Graduates

Madison Gabrielle Shannon Parker Road Elementary Kindergarten Next step: First grade

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

At College Bound, each high school and college graduation is a victory. And our AmeriCorps Coaches are there through it all.

WE ARE NOW HIRING young professionals to coach our amazing students.

Start Date: August 1

Contact Jeremy Brok 314.361.4441 x109 jeremy@collegeboundstl.org

www.collegeboundstl.org/join-our-team Select AmeriCorps

Kaje | CB Alum | University of Missouri - St. Louis

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

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Congratulations to the Class of 2016 Graduates!

Help turn your child’s education dreams into reality

With tuition rates ever rising, turning education dreams into reality nowadays is often a painfully expensive endeavor. Through a tax-advantaged 529 plan or Education Savings Account (ESA),

CONGRATULATIONS to all of this year’s graduates.

you can save for education costs in a manner aimed at growing your investment account while providing you with tax advantages. We can help you align your education savings strategy to your family’s circumstances and outlook.

To learn more, visit us at wellsfargoadvisors.com.

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing in a 529 savings plan. The official statement, which contains this and other information, can be obtained by calling your financial advisor. Read it carefully before you invest.

Investment and Insurance Products:

u

NOT FDIC Insured

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NO Bank Guarantee

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MAY Lose Value

©2014 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC. All rights reserved. 0616-02298 [94196-v1]

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