On May 31st, 2012, Ginn Academy's graduating seniors, the last of our originals, took their last steps as high school students, and their first as the adults that they will soon become. We'd like to share some images from that day, and brag just a bit about these courageous and strong young men that have been with us for the past four years. We've shown you where they come from and who they are, and we're very optimistic about where they're going.
One week prior to graduation is our yearly Senior Honor Day, where the GA student body, faculty, and families gather for a warm send-off. The last part of the ceremony takes place with the Junior class filling the seats vacated by the Senior class. This year's class has amassed $1.7 million in athletic and academic scholarships. In addition to those awards, very personal attributes and challenges are recognized each year with awards given by members of our community and those close to our school.
Mrs. Jeanette Ginn, wife of Ted Ginn, Sr., presented the Ted Ginn, Jr. Winning Against All Odds award to Maurice "Mo" Stearnes.
The evening of graduation was a long one for the boys as they rehearsed and readied themselves for their big night. Families filled the lobby of Cuyahoga Community College's Metro campus auditorium. The excited and joyful crowd was treated to speakers from The Ginn Academy and the CMSD School Board, and the featured speaker, Ms. Danita Harris, News Channel 5 anchor. Ms. Harris's powerful speech about our boys being transformers electrified the crowd. Singer, Maleya Johnson, brought many tears with her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," and Humble G Tha Fiddla used his violin to bring history and remembrance to the ceremony when he played "Lift Every Voice," the Negro National Anthem.
At the end of this story, there will be a list of all of our graduating seniors along with their next destinations.
Finally, we present the Class of 2012 and Where We're Going!
Dashawn Adams, Hocking College
Myron Adamson, University of Cincinnati
Brandon G. Baldwin, Central State University
Marshawn J. Bell, Kenst State University
V'Angelo D. Bentley, University of Illinois
Tye'Sean D. Berry, University of Toledo
Albert J. Black, Mercyhurst College
De'Van Bogard, The Ohio State University
Denzell Burton, Kent State University
Sam Byrd III, Erie Community College
Davonte M. Congress, University of Findlay
Sean P. DeBose, Jr., West Virginia Wesleyan University
Darnell C. DePriest, Jr., Marian University
Xavier Dowdell, Lake Erie College
Sean C. Draper, University of Iowa
Richard Evans, Entering Work Force
Michael Fairfax, Cuyahoga Community College
Alvin J. Hale, Wright State University
Justin Hardee, University of Illinois
Evan J. Harris, University of Toledo
Aykee Henderson, Notre Dame College
Willie E. Henry, Jr., University of Michigan
Dionte T. Hood, Kent State University
Aaron J. Johnson, United States Marine Corps
Jamil D. Johnson, Cuyahoga Community College
Kevin C. Kinds, Hutchinson Community College
Walter Lee, Thiel College
Terry Lewis, Jr., Entering Work Force
Kieante McGee, Northeast Oklahoma Community College
Michael A. McMillon, Kent State University
Marcus H. McNeal II, Capital University
Raymond Melton, Jr., Lake Erie Barber College
Rahmere A. Merritt, Cuyahoga Community College
Willard Osborn, Cleveland State University
Alex D. Pace, University of Cincinnati
Derek A. Perkins, Jr., United States Marine Corps
DaVaughn Reid, Ohio University
DeAnthony Riggs, Ohio Dominican University
James E. Robinson, Cleveland State University
Joseph J. Shihadeh III, United States Navy
Jason Simmons, Cuyahoga Community College
Steven Sims, Kent State University
Maurice Stearnes, Cuyahoga Community College
Raphael C. Stedmire, Cuyahoga Community College
Larry D. Stormer, Lake Erie College
Darrione K. Waldon, Kent State University
Levert Williams, Cleveland State University
Trevari Williams, Entering Work Force
Amir Wright, Entering Work Force
Justin Young, United States Army
Kindest regards from everyone at our school...
