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Tops in their class

Richmond Public Schools valedictorians take the stage next week to speak at high school commencements

Ronald E. Carrington | 6/17/2021, 6 p.m.
It’s graduation time — and time to celebrate.
The valedictorians at Richmond’s public high schools celebrate during a group photo last Saturday at Byrd Park. They are, from left, Te’Vonya Jeter of Huguenot; Aissatou Barry of Richmond Community; Airhiez Cabrera of Armstrong; Harold Aquino-Guzman of George Wythe; Terri Lee of Franklin Military Academy; Mary Jane Perkins-Lynch of Thomas Jefferson; and Abena Williams of Open High. Right, A’Nya Davis of John Marshall. Photo by Regina H. Boone

It’s graduation time — and time to celebrate.

The Richmond Public Schools Class of 2021 has gotten through a year of virtual learning with the pandemic and has a bevy of top scholars to show for it.

With GPAs ranging from 4.4 to 5.1, RPS valedictorians will have the honor to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies that take place next week.

In the first return to a more traditional commencement ceremony, members of the Class of 2021 will don their caps and gowns and march proudly across a stage at The Diamond baseball stadium on Arthur Ashe Boulevard to receive their diplomas and begin a new chapter in their lives.

The Class of 2021 has many high-achieving students who collectively have garnered millions of dollars in scholarship offers to pursue further studies in the fall at various colleges and universities.

The top students have been recognized and honored by RPS in a Zoom conference with Superintendent Jason Kamras, special video profiles on the RPS home page and individual spotlight profiles on RPS Direct as well as the RPS Facebook page.

This is just the beginning.

Here are this year’s valedictorians and where they plan to matriculate in the fall, along with information on schools’ graduation ceremonies:

Huguenot: Te’Vonya Jeter, 4.6 GPA, Howard University.

Ceremony: 9 a.m. Monday, June 21. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Dwight Baldwin Jr. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/gCeKJdzVqbo

Open High: Abena Williams, 4.9 GPA, Norfolk State University.

Ceremony: 4 p.m. Monday, June 21. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Esme Munson. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/6B76O40096Q

John Marshall: A’Nya Davis, 4.4 GPA, Longwood University.

Ceremony: 7 p.m., Monday, June 21. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Marna “Maria” Diallo. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ThF1148XQtI

Armstrong: Airhiez Cabrera, 4.6 GPA, Virginia Tech.

Ceremony: 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 22. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Tamia Harvey. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/9e5Wo_TPnN4

Richmond Community: Aissatou Barry, 4.8 GPA, University of Virginia.

Ceremony: 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 22. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Aris Ruff. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/obPfweU0hYM

George Wythe: Harold Aquino-Guzman, 5.1 GPA, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ceremony: 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 23. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Krystal Spurlock. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/wgb3eFP_G5M

Franklin Military Academy: Terri Lee, 4.4 GPA, Howard University.

Ceremony: 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 23. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Joyce Nyakana. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/sBkDY_LKZX4

Thomas Jefferson: Mary Jane Perkins-Lynch, 4.9 GPA, Hollins College.

Ceremony: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 23. Speakers, valedictorian and Salutatorian Latisha Jones. Watch live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/XpSsaCYeCjc

The Richmond Career Education & Employment Academy (RCEEA) and Amelia Street School will hold their own graduation ceremonies. Details are available at the schools.

Details on the ceremonies at The Diamond, including information on parking, seating and mask requirements: www.rvaschools.net/domain/2017