Bayview Avenue Elementary School welcomed back five former students to speak with current fourth-grade students, with the intention of encouraging them to establish specific goals for future success.
These were not ordinary former students; they are all ranked within the top ten of the 2012 graduating class of Freeport High School. "There will be a lot of distractions, but the more focus you have, the easier it will be to get into college," was the advice dispensed by Freeport High School valedictorian Brea Baker. Invited along with Brea were salutatorian Lakiea Simmons, Isaiah Barnes (ranked fourth), Marcus Desir (seventh) and Alvin Paredes (10th).
The highly ranked high school students rotated through two 40-minute sessions that kept their audience entertained and informed of what to expect as they advance through Atkinson Intermediate School, J.W. Dodd Middle School and then Freeport High School over the next eight years.
"Put the remote down," were the words of advice Marcus Desir shared as he emphasized the need to start thinking about important academic milestones now.
The timing of this visit could not have been better. The very next morning these fourth-graders attended the moving up ceremony that officially marked their ascension to Atkinson Intermediate School starting in the fall.
