Two graduating Dekaney Excessive Faculty seniors made historical past as the college’s first Black valedictorian and salutatorian.
Salutatorian A’myri Phillips, who has plans to pursue a profession in psychology or cognitive behavioral remedy on the College of Southern California, took a second to mirror on the magnitude of the event and acknowledge the accomplishments of her fellow graduates.
“I stand earlier than you as a proud African-American girl, breaking limitations inside my circle of relatives as the primary to attend school. I’ve overcome quite a few obstacles to face right here at this time,” Phillips expressed. “I need to acknowledge the challenges many people have confronted as Black college students. We’ve got skilled underestimation, being missed, racial discrimination, and micro-aggressions. We’ve got needed to navigate a system that didn’t all the time prioritize our success. However regardless of all of it, we’ve persevered. We’ve got proven up, labored diligently, and defied expectations.”
Dekaney’s valedictorian, Cali Johnson, who will pursue nursing on the College of Texas, inspired her classmates to embrace the long run with confidence, emphasizing the significance of cherishing the current second.
“Allow us to totally take up this second, this ceremony, this present day, and maintain it expensive to our hearts,” Johnson urged. “Right this moment signifies the end result of our efforts and the arduous work we’ve invested to achieve this level. We’ve got longed for this second, and we’ve earned it. This diploma is a testomony to our dedication and perseverance. Right this moment is our day, and we will face the long run fearlessly.”
The achievements of those outstanding younger ladies not solely mark a big milestone of their private journeys but additionally encourage future generations to interrupt limitations, problem expectations, and embrace their very own potential.