The Spirit of Excellence ceremony celebrates the achievements of students of color who maintain a 3.5 GPA, recognizing their hard work and dedication. For many, the event serves as both a moment of recognition and a source of motivation.
“Spirit of Excellence has been in Parkway for many years, and it’s just important for us at Parkway Central, a very diverse community, to embrace the opportunity to recognize kids that are really doing great work,” McCarthy said. “One of the students said, ‘I feel so proud to be here, to have my efforts recognized.’ That’s what this is all about.”
The event is not just about academic achievement but also about fostering a sense of pride and encouragement among students. Senior Reyla Green sees it as a moment of representation and acknowledgment.
“In my opinion, this is a way of acknowledging African Americans and people of color in general,” Green said. “It’s about recognizing our achievements and showing that hard work pays off. A lot of times, we don’t see ourselves represented in academic recognition, so this event is really meaningful.”
For freshmen attending their first Spirit of Excellence ceremony, the experience is both exciting and inspiring. Haddad Said, a freshman honoree, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
“I’m kind of excited. I’m glad I got to this point. I’m happy to have all the administrators really happy to see us succeed and keep pushing forward,” Said said. “It makes me want to keep working hard and do even better next year.”
The ceremony not only celebrates academic success but also encourages students to continue striving for excellence. Senior Xavier Thomas believes that maintaining strong academic performance is key to long-term success.
“It’s really important that we all continue to work hard and keep our GPAs up. I think it’s the right path towards success,” Thomas said. “We have to take opportunities like this and use them as motivation to push forward.”
McCarthy emphasized the importance of the ceremony in creating a supportive school culture and reinforcing the value of persistence.
“I think it’s really important for us to create a supportive atmosphere,” McCarthy said. “Our students are not just achieving; they’re setting an example for others to follow. When younger students see this, they realize that excellence is possible for them too.”
The Spirit of Excellence ceremony continues to be a beacon of encouragement for students, reminding them that their efforts do not go unnoticed. As honorees reflect on their accomplishments, they also look ahead to future goals, driven by the recognition and support they receive from their school and community.
