Jamaican girl creates history by becoming her school’s first black valedictorian!

Shanelle Davis, a Jamaican student in New York, has made history by becoming the first black valedictorian for her high school.

According to the online edition of The Queen’s Courier, the high flying 17 year old has been selected for the honour by Benjamin Cardozo High School and will thereafter move on to Harvard University on scholarships granted by the prestigious university and several other organizations.

Her parents, both from the island of Jamaica, couldn’t afford a college education, but were determined that Davis, 17, would be the first in the family to earn a higher degree.

Shanelle’s parents instilled in her the importance of education.

“Shanelle, take up a book,” she recalled her parents saying; an injunction that generations of Jamaican children can relate to.

Davis, a resident of Jamaica, Queens, did not confine herself to her academic studies. She is a member of her school’s track team and has participated in various clubs and other extra-curricular activities.

She took seven Advanced Placement classes, and is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and the Gateway Pre-College Education program.

She’s also involved in academic enrichment organization Legal Outreach, through which she has participated in debates and interned at law firms in New York City.

Additionally, the high achieving young woman has assisted struggling elementary and middle school students prepare for state exams through Future Educators of New York.

Of special importance to Davis is that she will be the first member of her immediate family to attend university.

“We are living out [my parents’] dream and mine without paying anything,” she said, reflecting on the importance of her achievements, not only for herself, but for her ambitious family.

SOURCE: The Queen’s Courier

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