On Thursday morning, March 6th, 2025, the Preston H. Albury High School (PHAHS) in Rock Sound hosted an awards ceremony, highlighting the academic achievements of students at the school during the Christmas Term (September through December) 2024.
Those students who had achieved a grade point average of between 2.5 and 2.99 were singled out as ‘rising stars’, and encouraged to work to reach the next level of the honour roll.
Honour Roll students in each grade level, were those who had achieved a grade point average of 3.00 to 3.49. Students recognized for this accomplishment included: Grade 7 – Tavaria Bonaby, Qaio Carey, Ghamella Johnson, Savanna Knowles, Starlya Davis, Janaye Sands, Tayshawn Brown, and Laila Goodman. Grade 8 – Makayla Bethel, Caithlyn Pinder, and Paris Symonette. Grade 9 – Ariana Curry, Quinton Carey, Jada Moxey, Rhandanique Mackey, Eliannha Pierre, and Krisleigh Smith. Grade 10 – Lauren Rolle, Riannah Laramore, Jamyah Rolle, Devardo Pratt, Anaiyah Johnson, Gabrielle Pyfrom, Deondra Smith, Kalisa Scavella, Kania Symonette, and Pedronique Miller. Grade 11 – Onesha Tynes, Jayden Bethel, Michaela Carey, Delena Rolle, Michaela Dorsett, Demarinique Stubbs, Amia Mackey, Jazmine Flowers, Renaisha John, Shania Carey, Timberley Morley, and Vernon Culmer Jr. Grade 12 – Devano Miller, T’Coya Morley,Clinique Rolle, Carleeyah Young, Taneya Pratt, Cardaijah Russell, Jaliyah Hepburn, Drenyah Richards, Lavardo Mckenzie, and Jenavicia Olivia Rolle.
A distinguished group of students, who achieved a grade point average of 3.50 to 4.00 were rewarded as Principal’s List award recipients. Those students included: Grade 7 – Dayleisha Bethel. Grade 8 – Rachel Pata, and Devari Thompson. Grade 9 – Simmia Lafleur, Frank Lafrance, and Zavion McCoy. Grade 11 – De’Anntae Hepburn, Kelisha Rolle, and Carmille Bain. Grade 12 – Cortez Bullard, Davonte Johnson, Salihah Forbes, Branae Panza, Christen Horton, Jayda Burrows, and Yarsha Calcinot.
One student at each grade level was also recognized for having topped their peers in academic performance, as the ‘Top of the Class’ award recipient with the highest grade point average. The six students were: Dayleisha Bethel (7th grade), Rachel Pata (8th grade), Simmia Lafleur (9th grade), Lauren Rolle (10th grade), De’Anntae Hepburn (11th grade), and Devonte Johnson (12th grade).
11th grader and top of her class, De’Anntae Hepburn, when asked how she felt about her achievement, and what it took her to get there, shared, “It takes a lot of hard work and effort to be honest, and I feel really honoured because, I skipped a grade… And I feel like I could do so much more… It makes me feel really, really empowered and I’m not scared to do anything. It makes me feel more confident and I’m not afraid… Now that I’m on top of the class, I am going forward and aim to be the future head girl… I’m trying my best.”
Top 12th grader Devonte Johnson, also shared a bit of his journey getting to the top of his class during his graduation year, saying, “It takes just hard work, determination, not giving up, just continuing to drive forward, not abandoning yourself and how you live.” A typical day after school, he shared, was attending extra classes before taking a break to relax. “I go home and take some classes, like evening classes. I relax a little bit. Sometimes I’ll study, sometimes I’ll just chill out, not get too stressed out over my work.” His advice to his fellow students was crucially – to remember they were not on their own. “Always ask for help. If you’re stressing out over something, ask someone. It’s better to get help with something than just struggling by yourself alone.”
