Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Recognition And Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board honors scholar superstars Kieran Tucker and Jakai Benskin; student leaders report on youth policy and budget forums
Summary
The board recognized two Scholar Superstars from Liberty Elementary and City Neighbors High School. Student representatives from the Associated Student Congress described recent youth-led policy and budget forums and upcoming events.
The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners recognized two Scholar Superstars at its Jan. 20 meeting: Kieran Tucker, a fifth grader at Liberty Elementary School in West Baltimore, and Jakai Benskin, a senior at City Neighbors Charter School.
Kieran was praised for academic growth, extracurricular involvement — including being the school’s first male cheerleader and a model for the school spirit showcase — and classroom leadership. In remarks played for the board, Kieran said cheerleading had helped him “step into my comfort zone” and that math and art are his favorite subjects.
Jakai, a senior and student-leader, was recognized for founding a school Green Team, co-leading Best Buddies, serving as choir president, and leading in student government and music. In a recorded statement Jakai credited family supports and staff mentors for keeping him on track; he said he has received multiple college offers with significant scholarships and is considering nursing or pre-dental studies.
Also during public comment, Benjamin Grimaldi, an eighth grader and ASCBC (Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City) ad-hoc member, told the board that students recently participated in a Youth Board Forum and a student budget forum. He said about 60 students from diverse schools participated in the budget forum and that students prioritized attendance and dropout reengagement, and accelerating literacy and math as budget priorities.
ASCBC leaders said the upcoming ASCBC General Assembly Winter on Feb. 11 will be peer-led and offered in English and Spanish; the group invited board members and district staff to attend.
The board and CEO also acknowledged the role of community partners and the Fund for Educational Excellence in supporting school leadership and staff recognition events.
