Students Celebrate Milestone At African American Recognition Ceremony
- Serenity Kelly
- Jun 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Yesterday at Fresno State's Save Mart Center, students and their families celebrated their high school achievement at the 33rd annual African American Recognition ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, Delta Sigma Theta hosted it's 2nd annual Scholarship Reception in the Bulldog Foundation Room.
Ivy Huff, the Scholarship Chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. San Joaquin Valley chapter, says that the organization has been awarding scholarships for more than 33 years, but highlights this as being only the second year the reception was held.
"We wanted to give the donors a more personal opportunity to meet with their scholarship recipients," Huff said, noting that this would give the donors a chance to know their scholars, and for their scholars to receive wisdom.
Keynote Speaker Dr. James Harris Jr., MD, signed and gave away copies of his new book to the students and shared his personal story with them.
"My biggest thing is, I wanna share some of my mistakes," Harris said, reflecting on the tough journey that helped him reach his fullest potential.
"In surgery, we have this thing called morbidity and mortality meetings where we have a private confidential meeting with our group of surgeons to learn from other peoples mistakes...the same concept applies here. I want [the students] to learn from the same mistakes that I made, so that they don't make those mistakes and hopefully don't have the challenges that I went through."
Following the reception, students, staff, and organizers marched out to the sound of African drums, where family and friends supported in the crowd.
Words of encouragement were shared by notable education leaders like co-chair of the African American High School Program Lisa Mitchell, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michell Cantwell-Copher, and Fresno Unified School District Superintendent Misty Her, amongst others.
Students received certificates from Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and were hooded with Kente cloths as they walked across the stage.
"My hope is that, they will be good people, and that they will remember that they didn't get here alone, but hey got here with the help of others," Harris said.
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