Spirit of Leona 2009
Life''s circumstances in times of hardship can create pressure to get a job, stay home and care for family or follow in the path of a preceding generation. Students are lured away from school to deal with these real factors that influence families each day.
As educators, we work to remind students of the value of education and expose them to the limitless opportunities that it provides. Leona schools are able to provide a variety of expanded educational options and caring support needed to help these students stay in school.
Twenty-five graduating seniors from Leona Group high schools were honored in May with the annual Spirit of Leona award. Students were recognized for having demonstrated the character, determination and perseverance that allowed them to achieve excellence despite challenges they faced along their educational paths.
Senior Tony Barrett has been at his school for 13 years. In fact, he helped to choose the name of George Crockett Academy when it transitioned to become a Leona charter school in 1998. Barrett graduates this year top of his class as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. He plans to study medicine at the University of Michigan or Stanford University.
Senior Angelo Summers joined his friend at Consortium College Preparatory High School after years on the streets and in and out of Detroit Public Schools. He was at Consortium for just one year - but that one year transformed his life. Now a student-athlete with direction, motivation and a sense of purpose and hope, he plans to attend college next year.
Whether with Leona Group schools for one year or 13, "a new kind of public school" has provided each of these Spirit of Leona
graduates with an educational choice that helped pave the way for future success. Through caring, small-school environments, innovative programs and a focus on academic excellence, Leona schools are opening doors for students who are ready to achieve.
The 2009 Spirit of Leona graduates are:
Jessica Barrea, Sun Valley High School
Matthew Barney, Allen Academy
Tony Barrett, Consortium College Preparatory High School
Angela Bohlmann, Tucson Accelerated High School
Robert Brown, Alliance Academy of Toledo
Marcus Bungard, South Pointe High School
Eric Carrasco, West Phoenix High School
Annalisa Cervantes, El Dorado High School
Kayla Daou, Apache Trail High School
Lisa E. Gallagher, Peoria Accelerated High School
Alexandra Guzman, César Chávez Academy High School
Lethora "Nika" Hill, Tempe Accelerated High School
Devonna Johnson, Academy for Business & Technology
Destin Martin, Toledo Preparatory Academy
Gregory Moore, Ocotillo High School
Manuel Nevarez, Maya High School
Sidney Orozco, César Chávez Academy High School
Ryan Packer, Traverse City College Preparatory Academy
Luis A. Patino, Alta Vista High School
Kimberly Shoulders, Consortium College Preparatory High School
Chelsea Sieck, Desert Hills High School
Angelo Summers, Consortium College Preparatory High School
Alex Ray Tafoya, Summit High School
Juan Troncoso, Estrella High School
Autumn Zell, South Ridge High School
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