Empowerment Day held to encourage students

Empowerment Day was on Feb. 9, 2009, at Century High in order to recognize students who have received honor roll, perfect attendance, and earned an Advanced Placement Scholar award.
          Upon entering the gymnasium, juniors and seniors sat while they listened to fellow CHS students, senior Kevin Green, senior C.J. Benoit, senior Brandon Choi, and junior Cody Harrod, a variety of instruments such as the saxophone, guitar, and bass. Also, there was a table with trophies, accompanied with gold, white, and green balloons.
          Assistant Principal Judy Jones entered with an introduction and gave the theme as “Step it Up,” academically, where Honor Roll students who have a grade point average of 3.0, and those who have perfect attendance, were recognized. She also mentioned there were 248 students who received perfect attendance for the first semester, and mentioned students who earned the “U-Turn Award,” which recognized students who turned around academically.
          Jones felt Empowerment Day went well, but a disappointment in the dance department.
          “It did okay. I had a few disappointments with the rally because we had Morgan State University have their sorority and fraternity members do a step show and they told us at the last minute they could not make it. But, I hope students enjoyed it and they felt honored being recognized,” Jones said.
          Students who have these qualifications came into the gym and were recognized for their great academic performance.
          Senior Claire Brady felt that Empowerment Day positively influenced the student body at CHS.
          “[Empowerment Day] really motivated students to want to do well in school so that they will get publicly recognized,” she said.
          Junior Taylor Andrews was glad she got to participate in the assembly.
          “I’m thrilled to be here! I learned a lot and I’m glad the school set it up,” Andrews said.
          Jones, along with science teacher Gary Furhman, and business teacher Wendy Cain marched on the floor and introduced themselves by performing a dance which fit their personality.
          Science teacher Gary Fuhrman felt Empowerment was an overall success, but fell short in one area.
          “I think it was an upbeat assembly, and I had positive feedback from both teachers and students. However, unlike last year, the focus was not on students who are seldom recognized, but overall it was a good day!” Fuhrman stated.
          The dance team also added to the theme of “Step it Up” when they performed wearing construction boots, jeans, and white t-shirts, giving off a military persona, and together, they marched in line.
          Dance team teacher Dawn Adamson felt the theme and the overall dance show meshed together well.
          “Step is a very powerful, uplifting for of dance and it motivated kids. Because it is so energetic, it allows people to want to be interested,” she said.
          Following the dances, English teacher Jen Myrick named students who had received Merit Honor, Distinguished Honor Roll, and straight A Honor Roll.
          Academic Facilitator Thomas McHugh announced the eight senior Advanced Placement Scholars, who received a three on three or more AP exams who will graduate in 2009.
          In the auditorium, guest speaker Lance Birch, pastor from Life Point Church in Reisterstown, Md., gave a motivational speech to students to finish out the year positively.
          One powerful quote from the speech was “everyone should make their life worthy of being a good story, and worthy of having people to be interested in it.”
          Twelfth grade Guidance Counselor Carolyn Hunsicker joined Birch at Life Point Church.
          “I thought the speaker was fabulous. I would love for him to come back every year!”
          Agreeing with Hunsicker, Acting Assistant Principal Scott Smith felt Birch’s speech was very stimulating.
          “He was wonderful, very energetic, as well as extremely inspirational,” Smith said.
Senior Anna Fitzsimmons thought Birch was very inspiring.
          “I felt that he knew how to connect, as well as relate to the students. He got our attention with jokes, and real life stories. I want to continue to strive to finish out my senior year,” she said.