(JACKSONVILLE,
Fla.)— The Gamma Beta Boulé chapter of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, in
partnership with the Duval County Public Schools will once again honor the
top African-American students in Jacksonville on May 8, 2007, at the High
Potential Youth Recognition Awards Program.
The awards
will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Lazzara Theater in the
University of North Florida’s Fine Arts Center. This is the 23rd year of the
Youth Recognition Program, which is also co-sponsored by University of North
Florida (UNF) and The Dalton Agency. The Youth Recognition Program was
initiated in 1986 under the leadership of Dr. Charles H. Cline, retired
Duval County Public Schools Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction, Dr. Alvin G. White, retired CEO of Duval County Public Schools
and Dr. Wendell P. Holmes, former Chairman of the Duval County School Board
and Founding Sire Archon of Gamma Beta Boulé (President). All are
longstanding members of the Gamma Beta Boulé chapter of Sigma Pi Phi.
The Youth
Recognition Program recognizes African-American students in grades 10-12 who
score in the 90th percentile or higher on the reading and/or
mathematics subtests of a nationally norm-referenced standardized test and
scored at achievement level 4 or higher in reading and/or mathematics on the
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. This year’s total number of
qualifying students is 678.
“Recognizing the academic achievements of our African-American youth is
particularly important as we work to meet the Duval County School Board’s
commitment to eliminate the achievement gap in our district,” said Dr. Jim
Williams, Chief Officer of Community Engagement and Organizational
Advancement for DCPS. “Eliminating that gap also requires changing
cultural perceptions that many Black students cannot meet high academic
standards and that academic achievement is not important.”
The Gamma
Beta Boulé has given their endorsement of the Blueprint for Prosperity
initiative. “As Blueprint Partners we believe our 2007 High Potential Youth
Recognition Awards Program is a manifestation of several aspects of the
community foundation areas as outlined in the Blueprint for Prosperity
document including Leadership, Racial Opportunity and Harmony, Education and
Quality of Life,” said Carlton Shelton, member of the Gamma Beta Boulé and
President of Paragon Financial.
The top
seven students will be featured in a video vignette during the ceremony and
are in competition for the coveted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational
Achievement Award and scholarship. Presidents of major Florida
universities and colleges as well as representatives from many other
colleges and universities across the southeast region of the United States
will announce scholarship opportunities.
For
additional information on the 2007 High Potential Youth Recognition Awards
Program contact Karen Hanson at 390-2335. Additional information may also be
found on the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce website.
