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Valedictorian & Salutatorian Named
Posted On:
Friday, April 28, 2017

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Keyondio Lee, Counselor; Kevin Forehand, Principal – 850-875-9626

CROSSROAD ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ANNOUNCES SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN as standouts among high competition in school’s first graduating senior class.

 

VALEDICTORIAN-SEMAJ FOREHAND

4.2143 is the GPA required to lead the pack.  That GPA belongs to Semaj Forehand, the well rounded scholar who has defined what is means to be a leader at Crossroad Academy. As student body president, Semaj has racked up 36.5 credits in the school’s rigorous college prep program, including several advanced placement credits and over 36 credit hours obtained through the Tallahassee Community College dual enrollment program.  Semaj’s talents and gifts are especially utilized around campus, especially in the school’s “Student Tutors” in-house business.  Specializing in math, Semaj works with individual and small groups of students in areas requested.  Additionally, Semaj has amassed over 750 community service hours. The future is bright for Semaj as he is set to receive the state’s Bright Future’s Scholarship which covers 100% of tuition. Semaj will be the first in his family to attend college. With test scores of 29 on ACT and 1370 on the SAT, he could have gained acceptance to most colleges. However, his eyes are set on Seminole life as he gained an early acceptance to Florida State University in October of last year.  So far he’s been offered the university’s freshman scholarship and an invitation to reside in the university’s scholarship housing.  He’s happy to reunite with a few friends, following the footsteps of former scorpions Nick Bittle and Tanaysia Higdon who became high school valedictorians and now attend FSU.  Semaj says, “I think it will be a big adjustment, but I definitely feel well prepared for the challenges.”  When asked about past, present and future challenges Semaj referred to his favorite quote by Barack Obama saying, “The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.”  Semaj will apply specifically to the FSUTeach program for mathematics.  After which, we might pursue a degree in leadership.  Semaj will graduate with the Merit scholar distinction on his diploma which is a designation for high test scores and attaining industry certifications in the school’s Computer Technology Education Program. Semaj is the son of Andre Forehand and Y’ctris Thomas.

  

SALUTATORIAN – AH’MIYAH SHAW

Ah’Miyah Shaw also defied all odds to attain the coveted spot as salutatorian with a GPA of 4.0182, the pre-pharmacy student has a full plate. She too has completed a very rigorous track, including, but not limited to, advanced placement courses and dual enrollment classes at TCC.  To add to Ah’Miyah’s list of accomplishments, she has decided to pick up evening courses at the Gadsden Technical Institute and is slated to graduate in their first Pharmacy Technician program. Amazingly, Ah’Miyah has been able to balance all of these responsibilities with her roles as a student tutor and as an advanced computer tech student.  She recalls her experiences with Crossroad’s college tours, which catapulted her desire to attend college.  Becoming a teenage mother didn’t block her will or work ethic.  She will complete the pharmacy tech program in December.  She’s been accepted to Florida A&M University and will emerge at FAMU as freshman pharmacy tech, which places her in an elite class of advanced university scholars.  In a school where the average GPA of her class is 3.6, Ah’Miyah noted, the privilege to rock and roll among her talented classmates.  “Crossroad will prepare you, if you let go and let it work for you instead of against you. Crossroad, by definition, is all about choices and making decisions.  Right or wrong you have to choose and then live with that accountability.” Ah’Miyah will also graduate with the state’s Merit Scholar designation on her diploma. Ah’Miyah is a true testament to the pursuit of excellence. When asked her favorite quote a tearful Ah’Miyah emphatically extoled words from Maya Angelou, “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”  Ah’Miyah’s parents are Willie and Lounette Shaw and Tanesha Hall.

 

Crossroad’s first senior class includes an average GPA of 3.6 average and ACT score of 21. 93% of the students have been conditionally accepted to college or branch of the military.  86% will graduate with honors and over half of the students will received merit designations on their diplomas

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