Students Honored with Edith Kaplan Scholarship

MOUNT VERNON – Twenty-eight seniors from Mount Vernon High School, STEAM Academy and Denzel Washington School of the Arts were honored at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday as recipients of the Edith Kaplan Scholarship for making meaningful contributions to their schools and communities.

The honorees appeared before the Board to receive their certificates about two months after the Edith Kaplan Scholarship Dinner Dance, hosted by the Mount Vernon PTA Council, raised $31,000 for graduating seniors.

MVHS PTA President and incoming Trustee Erica Peterson introduced the five students from the school who received the scholarships a day after senior convocation awards were handed out.

“We had so many students last night who got convocation awards that we almost ran out of seats, so that’s how great Mount Vernon High School did this year,” Ms. Peterson said, jokingly.

She then called on salutatorian Franyeli Fabian Rojas, “shot put king” D’Andre Shephard, Carol Daniela Fuentes Luna, Sarah Amer and Thokozani Sambakunsi to receive their awards.

The Mount Vernon STEAM Academy was represented by Amelia Anderson, Janel Hiland-Wilson, Isaac Amouzou, valedictorian Isaac Alvarado Calderon, Ethan Williams-Fertil, Zalina George, Tessanne Terrelonge, Anderlyn Ferreira, Spencer Richardson, Kaylin Vidaurre, Omarion Seymour, Marc-Arthur Fevrier, salutatorian Aidan Jacob Forman, Flavia Lukaj, Alana Delgado, Mikayla McGregor, Alaa Farea, Leronia Smith, Shontay Hart and Tobee MacDonnell.

Finally, Amirah Dawkins, salutatorian Elizabeth deGrandpre and Javon Vincent from DWSA were called up.

DeGrandpre, who also served as a student trustee, later gave her farewell address to the Board.

“I’d like to thank all the Board of Trustees for letting me sit with you guys this year,” the student trustee said. “It has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and has taught me not only how government works but how the school system works.”

About 450 people attended the Edith Kaplan Scholarship Dinner Dance, which highlighted the dedication, service and impact of honorees whose efforts enrich the lives of students and families in the District.