Latest news with #BookerT.WashingtonHighSchool
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Grad says Booker T. Washington High School 'a light in the dark'
Gabrielle Maes, now a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, acknowledges she made a few mistakes in life. 'My education was challenged by moments of poor judgment, yet these experiences became the foundation for my personal growth,' she told fellow graduates and those attending commencement Friday at Ivy Tech's Oakley Auditorium. She joined 13 other graduates in the Class of 2025. Maes' story is also one of success and her message was one of hope. At times during high school, she had to balance academics with three jobs, which was not easy, 'Yet it taught me a profound work ethic that shaped my character,' she said in her speech. As she faced her challenges, 'Booker T. Washington was a light in the dark,' she said. Whenever she needed help, school staff were there for her. They also gave her the flexibility she needed with her work. They also helped her realize that if she worked hard enough, she could create a better future for herself. The school offered smaller classes, better one-on-one focus and 'the best part is that the teachers treat you like family,' Maes said. Now, Maes is headed to Indiana State University, where she will pursue a pre-veterinary program with a goal of becoming a veterinarian. She completed her studies in December and is living in Greenwood, where she works at a facility that provides services for dogs. And not only did she graduate, she also was honored with the Karen Turchi Perseverance Award. 'Booker T. Washington has taught me that no matter what happened or what I did, there was a second chance waiting for me,' Maes said. 'I pushed myself to be better, to do better and I did.' School principal Cindi Hrovat said that each of the graduates arrived at the school seeking something unique: a fresh start, a supportive environment or simply a place where their voice could be heard. 'What you found here was more than an alternative education — you found a community. A place that embraced you, believed in you and stood beside you, even when you doubted yourself,' she said. Hrovat thanked families and friends for their unwavering support, encouragement and love for the graduates. 'You've lifted these graduates during tough times, and your belief in them has helped carry them to this moment,' she said. Hrovat congratulated the graduates on their milestone. 'May you continue to rise, to inspire and to make a lasting difference — wherever your journey takes you.' As graduates received their diplomas, families and friends cheered enthusiastically; after the ceremony, they greeted their loved ones with hugs and bouquets. Among those thrilled to be done with high school was Mandrill McFadden, who posed for pictures with several family members. 'It feels great. I'm so excited to be done with this chapter,' McFadden said. Another graduate, Helena Felling, said, 'I feel accomplished.' She plans to go to cosmetology school.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Check out Booker T. Washington graduation day 2025 photos
High School Graduation Day! A time for celebrating achievements, reflecting on past years, and looking forward to the future. Take a look at Booker T. Washington High School's May 27 graduation ceremony at Pensacola Bay Center. Graduation dates: 2025 ceremonies for all Escambia, Santa Rosa high schools This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Booker T. Washington High School graduation photos
Black America Web
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Gallery: Celebrity Kids Head Off To Prom 2025 In Style
Source: Wil R/Star Max / Getty It's one of our favorite times of the year- prom season. Prom has much evolved from the big dance. These days, it's a full-on production with prom proposals, prom send-offs and prom dresses that belong on the Met Gala red carpet. Every year around this time, we get to witness the incoming generation of creators, designers, fashionistas put on a display of their nascent skills through their prom looks. Last year, the Booker T. Washington High School's once-upon-a-time prom parade made headlines and setting the bar for prom extravaganzas. Celebrity Kids Prom Celebrity kids like the Combs Twins, Savannah and Lebron James' son Bryce and Marlo Hampton's nephew Michael have all shared images of the prom looks before heading out to celebrate their high school careers. Jesse and D' Lila Combs wore matching sparkling red mermaid gowns to their senior prom. And 'Munty' Marlo celebrated Michael's prom with a sweet social media message. 'Senior Prom Send-Off for Michael! Thank you to everyone who came out to support my baby without even being asked — it truly meant the world to me . Even though y'all kept telling me to get out of the pictures (it wasn't my prom, I know! lol ), a time was definitely had — and my baby brought home PROM KING !' Met Gala mama Savannah James gushed over her son Bryce in a prom post. 'Prom 2025,' she wrote. 'This is really taking me out,' she captioned a close-up photo of his prom suit. Watching the youth head out to prom is one of our pastimes. Keep scrolling from this year's celebrity kids prom looks. Gallery: Celebrity Kids Head Off To Prom 2025 In Style was originally published on Taking a break from their father's public trial, the Combs Twins, Jesse and D' Lila, got dolled up for their big night. According to People, when asked about prom, the beautiful girls responded, 'The party doesn't start until we walk in. Saved the best for last.' Bryce James showed off his individual style rocking a classic black Louis Vuitton suit tailored to perfection to his senior prom. In a carousel series shared on Instagram, Bryce poses with his mom Savannah, little sister Zhuri, big brother Bronny and the leader of the James clan, Lebron. 'Real Housewives Of Atlanta' star Marlo Hampton sent her nephew off to prom in style and we'd expect nothing less from the former peach holder. The Munty was extra proud her baby brought home the title of prom king. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Teen basketball players were among those who died in a Kansas highway crash that killed 8
GREELEY, Kan. — Two teenage basketball players, a coach and a trainer from the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area who were on their way back from a tournament were among eight people killed in a fiery head-on highway crash in eastern Kansas. Authorities said the other victims in Sunday's crash on a two-lane stretch of US 169 about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, included three members of a St. Louis-area family. The crash occurred when a southbound SUV driven by the trainer, carrying the teammates, collided with a northbound sedan with the St. Louis family as passengers, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported. 4 This image taken from video from May 5, 2025, shows charred earth at the site of a fatal vehicle collision in Franklin County, Kans. AP Advertisement A third teenager from the Tulsa area survived the crash and was hospitalized with what the Highway Patrol described as potentially a minor injury. The young basketball players who died were Donald 'DJ' Laster, 14, a student at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa; and Kyrin Schumpert, a ninth-grader at the Union High School Freshman Academy in the Tulsa area, who also sometimes went by Kyrin Gilstrap, according to Union Public Schools. The boys were members of the Oklahoma Chaos youth basketball program, which called the crash 'an unimaginable tragedy' in a post on the social platform X. Advertisement 4 Kyrin Schumpert and Donald Laster both died in the car accident. Instagram/Oklahoma Chaos 'Please wrap their families and friends with love and support as they try to get through this very difficult time,' the post said. 'Our organization has taken a tremendous hit and we are deeply saddened.' Ron Horton, a teacher at Booker T. Washington, said in a video sent by Tulsa Public Schools that he has seen a lot of kids come and go in his 17 years of teaching and that DJ Laster was 'something special.' 4 The boys were members of the Oklahoma Chaos youth basketball program. Instagram/Oklahoma Chaos Advertisement He said Laster was a quintessential student-athlete who worked as hard at academics as he did at sport during the busy varsity basketball season. He said Laster was among only two freshmen to make the school's varsity team and stood out for how he put others at ease. 'It's just a shock, it is, that he's gone,' Horton said. Two adults traveling with them also died — Wayne Walls, of Talala, Oklahoma, 41, a former teacher and coach at Carver Middle School in Tulsa — and Ja'mon Gilstrap, a trainer and driver with the Tulsa Public Schools' transportation team. The survivor was Braden Walls, 15, also of Talala, Oklahoma. Gilstrap was driving the SUV at the time of the accident. 4 Two adults traveling with them also died — Wayne Walls, a former teacher and coach at Carver Middle School in Tulsa — and Ja'mon Gilstrap, a trainer and driver with the Tulsa Public Schools' transportation team. Facebook/Booker T. Washington High School Advertisement The other driver — Alexander Ernst, 37, of Ames, Iowa — also died, along with Madalyn Elliott, 33; John Elliott, 76, and Norleen Elliott, 69, all of Chesterfield, Missouri. The Kansas Highway Patrol said the crash occurred a few miles outside of Greeley, Kansas, a town of fewer than 300 people, at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, as Gilstrap, the driver of the SUV, attempted to pass a slow-moving vehicle. He and the sedan driven by Ernst were headed toward each other in the northbound lane, and both drivers swerved to avoid a collision, but both went into the northbound shoulder of the highway. The crash caused a fire, and 'both cars burned up,' officials said.
06-05-2025
Teen basketball players were among those who died in a Kansas highway crash
GREELEY, Kan. -- Two teenage basketball players, a coach and a trainer from the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area who were on their way back from a tournament were among eight people killed in a fiery head-on highway crash in eastern Kansas. Authorities said the other victims in Sunday's crash on a two-lane stretch of U.S. 169 about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, included three members of a St. Louis-area family. The crash occurred when a southbound SUV driven by the trainer, carrying the teammates, collided with a northbound sedan with the St. Louis family as passengers, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported. A third teenager from the Tulsa area survived the crash and was hospitalized with what the Highway Patrol described as potentially a minor injury. The young basketball players who died were Donald 'DJ' Laster, 14, a student at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa; and Kyrin Schumpert, a ninth-grader at the Union High School Freshman Academy in the Tulsa area, who also sometimes went by Kyrin Gilstrap, according to Union Public Schools. The boys were members of the Oklahoma Chaos youth basketball program, which called the crash 'an unimaginable tragedy' in a post on the social platform X. 'Please wrap their families and friends with love and support as they try to get through this very difficult time,' the post said. 'Our organization has taken a tremendous hit and we are deeply saddened.' Ron Horton, a teacher at Booker T. Washington, said in a video sent by Tulsa Public Schools that he has seen a lot of kids come and go in his 17 years of teaching and that DJ Laster was 'something special.' He said Laster was a quintessential student-athlete who worked as hard at academics as he did at sport during the busy varsity basketball season. He said Laster was among only two freshmen to make the school's varsity team and stood out for how he put others at ease. 'It's just a shock, it is, that he's gone,' Horton said. Two adults traveling with them also died — Wayne Walls, of Talala, Oklahoma, 41, a former teacher and coach at Carver Middle School in Tulsa — and Ja'mon Gilstrap, a trainer and driver with the Tulsa Public Schools' transportation team. The survivor was Braden Walls, 15, also of Talala, Oklahoma. Gilstrap was driving the SUV at the time of the accident. The other driver — Alexander Ernst, 37, of Ames, Iowa — also died, along with Madalyn Elliott, 33; John Elliott, 76, and Norleen Elliott, 69, all of Chesterfield, Missouri. The Kansas Highway Patrol said the crash occurred a few miles outside of Greeley, Kansas, a town of fewer than 300 people, at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, as Gilstrap, the driver of the SUV, attempted to pass a slow-moving vehicle. He and the sedan driven by Ernst were headed toward each other in the northbound lane, and both drivers swerved to avoid a collision, but both went into the northbound shoulder of the highway. The crash caused a fire, and 'both cars burned up,' officials said.
