Beryl Henry Elementary School sixth grade students follow Principal Dr. Roy Turner in the BHE yell at the conclusion of graduation ceremonies at Hempstead Hall on May 25. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools
HOPE – The sixth-grade class at Beryl Henry Elementary School took the next step here May 25 in graduation ceremonies at Hempstead Hall.
Hope Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley illustrated the magnitude of the step with the story of The Elephant Camp. Dr. Crossley said a visitor to the winter camp of a circus asked why the adult elephants were tethered to small stakes in the ground rather than more secure control.
“The trainer said the elephants were tethered to these small stakes when they were very young and they have grown to never test their limitations,” he said.
Crossley fashioned the illustration into a point about changes in modern education.
“The education system in our country is doing a poor job helping our students break out from their small stakes in the ground,” he said. “The BHE community is allowing students to break free of limitations to reach their fullest potential.”
Crossley said improvements were possible only through community support as BHE works to expand opportunities for its students.
“Let’s all do this together,” he urged.
BHE Principal Dr. Roy Turner gave the charge to the sixth graders to make the transition in their education with the maturity it deserves. Dr. Turner said the journey from kindergarten was one of beginning to build upon a foundation.
“Now you know when you know what you know,” he quipped.
Turner stressed the students’ understanding of the BHE philosophy, “I want to be somebody, I can be somebody, I will be somebody, Because I am somebody.”
He said the journey for the sixth grade is at its midpoint.
“In six years, they will do this again,” Turner said.
Students graduating by class included:
MRS. GILBERT’S CLASS – Timmiyunna Armstrong, Christopher Bello, DeMonta Block, Zy’Keirra Booker, Daisy Brito, Leila Cantu, Aniyah Charles, JaCoby Ferrand, Jonathan Fisher Jr., Ke’Morryon Grigsby, Tristan Hayward, K’miya Hopson, Elijah Johnson, Alysia Jones, Antonio Knox Jr., Noah Martinez, Israel Medina, Kamir Todd, LaPrecious York.
MRS. RHONE’S CLASS – Jorge Aldaba, Kaiden Brady, Amollia Contreras, Everly Davis, Jennifer DeLaRosa, Jonathan Garcia, Ni’kierrah Harris, Nevaeh Laws, Jocelyn Marrufo, Ethan McBride, Jeremiah Muldrew, Quar’tesha Muldrew, Jenissis Nava, Jamaurrein Pennington, Jose Ramos, Lee’jaylon Spencer, Destiny Thomas, Lakiya Washington, Andrew L. Williams Jr., Jakyreuna Williams.
MS. ROBBINS’ CLASS – Melanie Arroyo, Azariah Bradford, Makyia Charles, Landin Cheatham, Kalee Crowley, Samiyah Daniels, Diego Dominguez, Jaiven Gleason, Ivy Hayward, Jimena Hernandez, Angelique Martinez, TaShaun McKinney, Zaymarion Morgan, Jahlea Muldrow, Lazavion Muldrow, Kaleb Pugh, Tavion Richardson, Kireauna Stafford, Skye Standokes, Zakyria Trotter, Jereny Williams.
MRS. SMELLEY’S CLASS – Marely Almaraz, Amayrani Alonso, Kaylynn Butcher, Zachary Davis, Autumn Flenory, Jordin Gaines, Trendall Ingram, Jaakwen’Ceyaan Jacobs, Corina James, Makenzie Johnson, Jayden Jones, Alejandro Lara, Joanna Martinez, Avaira Mask, Ava McWilliams, Fernando Perez, Brookmarie Phillips, Ethan Walker, Kamiya Washington.
MRS. THORNTON’S CLASS – Cayden Brown, Jaelynn Burton, Darian Dominguez, Naydamir Juanes, Christopher Marcum, Ky’Aidan Martin, Randell McClure Jr., Diego Medina, Artasia Morris, Milagros Ortiz, Elizabeth Perkins, Shaylene Reza, Zavion Richardson, Mauricio Rodriguez, Harmony Rogers, D’vyne Ross, Jayce Sampson, Piper Samual, Zakyrin Trotter.