The San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators, The San Francisco Unified School District Co-Sponsor: Hannibal Lodge #1

24th Annual African American Student Honor Roll Celebration

Submitted by: WM Louis L. Garrett, Sr. Hannibal Lodge #1

In 1994 some members in the African American community went to the San Francisco Unified School District and Alliance of Black School Educators with The Honor Roll project. The project was that Hannibal Lodge #1 and the San Francisco Unified School District should recognize African American students that were on the honor roll. The SF Alliance met with the San Francisco Unified School to discuss the Honor Roll Project. It was decided this would be an ideal activity during Black History Month.

For the last 24 consecutive years the African American students with a 3.00 GPA or higher and Elementary students recommended by their teacher have been honored with a wonderful celebration. At the celebration students receive: an Honor Roll Certificate, their names in the annual souvenir booklet, recognition at their school site, and a medallion; 4.00 students receive a beautiful Kenta cloth to be worn around their neck and shoulders. Each parent or person in attendances receives a souvenir program containing the names of all the honor roll students from the various schools within the San Francisco Unified School District.

Over the past twenty-four years over 40,000 African American students have been honored. San Francisco Unified School District students and students from other schools also participate in the honor ceremony. These other schools include: S.R. Martin College Preparatory, The Muslim School, KIPP Bayview, Gateway, KIPP San Francisco Bay, Creative Arts Charter, Edison and other charter and private schools. The Honor Roll leaders also acknowledge and appreciate the support and participation of other educators, many community members, Civic Leaders, Clergy, Sponsors and other public officials.

This is one of the many community projects sponsored by Hannibal Lodge #1. The members participate in the year's effort by donating time and money to get well-deserved recognition for these outstanding students. Hannibal Lodge #1, the SFUSD, and the community are proud of our honor students achievements, and we encourage other masonic lodges and community leaders to become a part of this great effort. We see this as way to help motivate and show the importance of learning to all students; It is our hope that such motivation will lead our future leaders to a better life and successful career paths. This also gives the San Francisco communities an opportunity to witness the achievement of our students and show students we support and appreciate their accomplishments.Congratulations to all our Honor Roll Students! Program coordinators are Chairperson Virginia Marshall and Co-Chairs Emily Wade-Thompson and Louis L. Garrett, Sr. Read more in the upcoming Digest.