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| Vol. 20, No. 23 |
| December 15, 1998 |
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DeBakey High School Celebrates National Accolades
by KRISTINA VAN ARSDEL Texas Medical Center News The color scheme was blue at the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions (DHSHP) on Tuesday, Nov. 24, but the mood was anything but melancholy as the High School celebrated its Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Award.
Dr. Charlesetta Collins-Deason, DHSHP principal, accepted the Blue Ribbon honor from the United States Department of Education at a Nov. 12 ceremony in Washington, D.C. "Receiving the award in Washington was very special," says Dr. Collins-Deason. "Being in the same room with 166 schools from around the United States who were being honored publicly for working so hard, untiringly, to do the right thing for students was one of the brightest moments of my career." Accompanying Dr. Collins-Deason to the Washington, D.C., ceremony were teacher Charlotte Bryant, senior Megan Edmonsond, and Superintendent for Alternative Schools Deborah Singleton. During the ceremony, Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education Patricia McNeil named the DeBakey High School one of seven 1998 "New American High Schools." The seven schools recognized were chosen from the Blue Ribbon Secondary School award winners for their high academic achievement and school improvement initiatives. Dr. Collins-Deason presented the two awards to the students, faculty and administration of the DeBakey High School during the Nov. 24 celebration. The High School received notification of the Blue Ribbon honor in May after undergoing a comprehensive review in a number of areas, including curriculum and community involvement over a five-year period. Only secondary schools were eligible for this year's award. Eighteen Texas schools made the list; 166 schools nationwide were honored. The schools honored as "New American High Schools" along with the DeBakey High School were: Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Sandy Hook, N.J.; Adlai Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, Ill.; Saunders Trade and Technology High School, Yonkers, N.Y.; Greene JROTC Academy, Dayton, Ohio; Coronado High School, San Diego, Calif.; and Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas. The "New American High Schools" program emphasizes the important role high schools play in preparing students with the academic, technological, communications and problem-solving skills needed for success in the future. The initiative began in 1996 when 10 schools received the designation. The High School's namesake, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, was welcomed with a standing ovation before he addressed those gathered in the auditorium. "You are establishing a model for the community and the nation," he said. "This is a great accomplishment." A photograph of Dr. DeBakey was unveiled at the event and presented to the school. It was also announced that the Charlesetta Collins-Deason Endowment Fund for Educational Excellence was recently established by the DeBakey High School For Health Professions community advisory committee. The endowment will provide scholarship support for those students who fall into the middle rankings of their class at the DeBakey High School, and would otherwise be in the top 10 percent if they had chosen to attend the school nearest their home.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmc-info@tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/12_15_98/page_02.html |
