Banneker earns five stars
By Lisa DeNeal Post-Tribune correspondent January 25, 2012 4:40PM
Third-grader Assata Gaines enthusiatically introduces the next song during a Blue Ribbon Awards Celebration at Banneker Achievement Center in Gary on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media
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Students and faculty at Banneker Achievement Center — formerly known as Banneker Elementary — were joined Jan. 17 by state and federal officials in celebrating their National Blue Ribbon Schools Award recognition as a five-star school.
Banneker received word of the recognition in November. Last week’s ceremony included a visit from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett, U.S. Department of Education regional director for family engagement Shirley Jones, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Superintendent Myrtle Campbell and others.
Jones, who also presented the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award to Banneker principal Sarah Givens, said Banneker was one of nine schools out of 2,000 in the state of Indiana to receive the national Blue Ribbon honor.
“Banneker also represents one of 315 schools in the U.S. to earn this recognition,” Jones said. “How excellent is that? Banneker is a prime example of giving every child an opportunity to be successful. The greatest gift adults can give their children is to enroll their children into a school like Banneker.”
Jones added that she enjoys coming to Banneker because the parents, teachers and children all work together as a team. Freeman-Wilson was a student at Banneker when it was an elementary school at 1912 W. 23rd Ave. Banneker Achievement Center is at 301 Parke St.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am … and how proud the city of Gary is about your recognition,” Freeman-Wilson said. “This is an example of what every school in Gary should be. You are a strong example of excellence and leadership. We expect more of these accolades from you and I am glad to be cheerleader for you.”
Bennett was not only impressed with Banneker’s Blue Ribbon title, but also with the students’ school spirit, evident in the school song they sung for Bennett upon request.
“When I was walking inside for the program and heard you all singing, I told Mrs. Givens that this was my favorite school song,” he said to cheers.
Bennett added that while the Super Bowl, the biggest sports event in the world, is taking place in Indianapolis soon, he is more impressed with the academic champions he visited at Banneker.
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