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Top Black High School Seniors - twenty-three academically gifted African American high school students are highlighted as they begin their college careers

Ebony, August, 1999

Academic Dream Team Heads To College

SOME people view graduation from high school as an ending. Four years of learning and living and it's over. But smart people like America's top Black high school seniors form the Class of '99 know that commencement is just a start. Having graduated at the head of their classes, the 23 scholars featured on the following pages are on their way to the country's best colleges and universities.

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These talented youths met the rigors of high school classes while helping people in need. They spent after-school hours cleaning communities, collecting canned goods to feed the hungry and mentoring children who were wilting from a lack of love. They helped to build up their schools and tear down negative stereotypes that plague today's generation of teens. They won top academic awards while participating in activities such as student council, drill and sports teams and the Red Cross Club. With their commitment, they inspired their peers and community while empowering themselves.

Now, they take their skills and energy to college. From Morehouse College to the University of Michigan, from Harvard to Howard universities, these young people are determined to inscribed their mark. We salute this academic dream team as they embark to their new role as college freshmen and begin, rather than end, their journey.

NANCY AMANDA REDD ranked in the top 5 percent of her class at Laurel Park High School in Martinsville, Va. In addition to being president of her senior class and a regional forensics champion, Redd was state president of the Virginia 4-H Club and a page for the Virginia general assembly. The talented scholar and mixed-media artist was a national winner of the Coca-Cola and Toyota scholarship programs. Redd will attend Harvard University.

With a 4.55 GPA, THOMAS RAY JACKSON JR. ranked in the top 5 percent of students at Whitney Young High School in Chicago. He was a recipient of a National Achievement scholarship and has been listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students for two consecutive years. He was vice president of the Rainbow/Push Coalition youth group, captain of the football and track teams and sat on the executive board of his school's National Honor Society. Jackson will attend the University of Michigan and major in chemical engineering.

TREZANAY ATKINS, valedictorian of Arlington High School in Indianapolis, won a Phi Beta Kappa award and was named biology "student of the year." She was senior and junior class president of her high school class and was a member of the Key Club, Brain Game team, fellowship of Christian athletes and the drama club, among other activities. She will pursue her goal of becoming a corporate lawyer at Purdue University.

BRYAN A. COLE, who ranked third in his senior class at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Ga., will attend Yale University. He is an accomplished athlete and scholar, competing in varsity cross-country track meets since his sophomore year and winning recognition for excellence in Latin, foreign language, history and science. He belonged to the National Beta Club, served as vice president of the National Honor Society and was captain of the academic bawl competition. Cole also performed volunteer activities, including tutoring younger pupils, helping out at a local food bank and participating in a county "Secret Santa" program.

LATOIYA ATKINS ranked second in her class of 200 at Northwestern High School in Detroit. The All-American Scholar was a member of the National Honor Society, Alpha Phi Beta and was listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She participated in a summer math corps program and dance events in the area. She plans to attend Wayne State University and major in engineering.

REBECCA CONNIE (above) was valedictorian of her class at Morgan Park High School in Chicago. She was an Illinois State Scholar, Xerox award winner and Chicago Urban League Scholar. Connie was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, newspaper, and she volunteered at a retirement home and Imani House. She received more than $50,000 in college scholarships. The Aspiring astronaut will attend DePaul University.

ANTONIO LAMONT BOWENS ranked among the top students at Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School in Columbus, Ohio. He was a National Merit commended scholar, a two-time Telluride Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. His school activities included the debate club, literary magazine, dramatic performances and academic league. He plans to major in psychology and computer graphic design this fall.

ALPHONSE RICHARDS was valedictorian of Warren Easton Fundamental Senior High School in New Orleans. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Youth Standing for Christ, and he worked with a homework-assistance hotline. He will study business administration in college with the plan to one day become a CEO.

MORGAN KRISTEN DOOLEY was salutatorian of her class at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta. The accomplished scuba diver was a top student in her school, earning recognition in Who's Who Among American High School Students and being named an All-American, Ron Brown and National Achievement scholar. She earned more than $150,000 in scholarship offers. She will attend Emory University this fall with the goal of becoming a doctor.

Top Black High School Seniors - twenty-three academically gifted African American high school students are highlighted as they begin their college careers

Ebony, August, 1999

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