Braxton Cullors

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
May 19 2011

Valedictorians honored for dedication, sacrifice

LANCASTER, Calif.—It’s that time of year again when parents congratulate their shining stars and watch anxiously as they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. And throughout the Valley, a few special parents have even more to brag about.

Some standout graduates at Highland, Littlerock, and Pete Knight High Schools are the few African American students who have earned the title of valedictorian.

Oct 14 2010

Photo courtesy of Craig Rowitz

The Antelope Valley Black Chamber of Commerce crowned the queens in their first scholarship pageant. It was an evening of divine beauty, talent, and intelligence as 13 young ladies competed in three categories for a scholarship and the opportunity to represent the chamber for the year. In the Little Miss category, Vivica Williams won queen. In the Junior Miss category, Braxton Cullors was crowned, and Loraina Caldron was runner up. Finally, in the Miss category, Krystin Schilling was named queen, and Emani Stanford was runner up.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.