2009 Pioneer Scholars Recognition Ceremony

The Emily Krzyzewski Center Celebrates Pioneer Scholars’ Accomplishments at the 2009 Pioneer Scholars Recognition Ceremony  

May 26, 2009, Durham, NC – The Emily Krzyzewski Center (EKC), a learning center that serves high potential economically disadvantaged students, held its annual Pioneer Scholars Recognition Ceremony yesterday on Thursday May 21st, 2009. 

The event recognized the accomplishments of students in the Pioneer Scholars program.  The event began with a slideshow and a keynote address by Danzel Pegram, an Emily K Center student who is currently a senior at Northern High School.  Danzel stressed to the younger students the importance of pursuing excellence in a number of areas including academics, athletics, and character.  He shared how this, along with surrounding himself with supportive relationships, has allowed him to reach his goal of attending Elon University in the fall. 

The program also included the presentation of six special awards given to students who have shown exemplary commitment to Academics, Character and Leadership.  Recipients of this year’s awards include:
• Lakewood Elementary School third grader Teymi Pantoja who received the Leadership Award and is described by her tutors as, “very kind and respectful. She has high expectations of herself and always does her best.  She always interacts in an appropriate way with her peers and staff.  She is an absolute joy to teach”
• Durham School of the Arts sixth grader Niadiquay Everette who received the Academic Award for consistently demonstrating academic excellence in all areas.
• Lowe’s Grove Middle School seventh grader Rey Fernando Cruz Castillo who received the Character Award.  His tutors say, “Rey has the freedom to fearlessly be the creative, kind, and funny individual he is; and we know that even when we aren’t there, he will, in his own style, do the right thing.”
• Other award winners include Matthew Woodberry (3rd Grade Lakewood Elementary), Jamillah Carter (8th Grade Brogden Middle School) and Jennifer Lemus Santos (3rd Grade Lakewood Elementary)

Heather Hindin, Coordinator of Education Programs states “Our annual recognition ceremony is an important event for our Pioneer Scholars and their families.  It is the culmination of a year’s worth of commitment by these students to improving themselves academically and a chance for their families and Emily K Center staff to challenge them to continue their hard work.”

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