OLD ALUMNI ARTICLES

Alumni

We always love to see Banneker Alumni come back to work for their former school. CeCe Johnson the proud daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alonza Johnson graduated from Banneker High with the proud class of 1998. Ms. Johnson graduated with a 4.54 grade point average and was a member of 13 organizations while at Banneker. She furthered her education at the University of Georgia where she majored in Business Education. After graduation Ms. Johnson found her dream job at Banneker High School where she teaches Business classes. She is currently the Student Government Sponsor and a member of the band staff. Ms. Johnson is working on a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.

Banneker has graduated many great athletes. Among the most recent are Darius Watts, a wide receiver for the NFL Denver Broncos; Greg Blue, a strong safety for the University Of Georgia Bulldogs; and Lavon Thomas, a wide receiver for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. When you see these and other great Banneker Alumni athletes on TV, and hear about them on the radio remember them as Trojans first.

Georgia and Georgia Tech both played outstanding in this years state rivalry game. Even more outstanding was the play of two former Banneker students. Greg Blue for Georgia and Lavon Thomas for Georgia Tech were both in the plays and on top of their game from kickoff to final play. We are all very proud of these two former

Banneker Trojans. Both men represented themselves, their school, and their formal high school (Banneker) exceptionally well.

WHERE'S WOOT !

Remember that really nice guy in the 2003-2004 school year that turned into the true enemy for any opposing team on the football field. Demarcus Johnson was one of the finest running backs to ever come out of Banneker High School. Where is he now? The last we heard of Demarcus he was a freshman at Mississippi State on a scholarship as a backup running back for the Bulldogs. Woot did not see much action on the field this year as a true freshman but talk of a 2 point conversion in one of the earlier games has been noted. We all miss Woot and look forward to hearing more about him at Mississippi State in the next three years to come. Woot if you are out there, contact us at the link on the left of this page and let us know how you are doing and what you are up to.

They just keep coming back to Banneker. Marcida Kinlaw is a proud graduate of the Trojan Class of 1990. While attending Banneker Mrs. Kinlaw was involved in SGA, JROTC, and the Leadership Team. She recieved a BA in English from Howard University in Washington, DC. and a Masters in Education degree from Mercer University. Mrs. Kinlaw has since returned to Banneker High School where she teaches World Literture, Contemporary Literature, and AP Literature and Composition. She sponsors the Beta Club and is the secretary for LSAC (Local School Advisory Committee). We are all fortunate to have Mrs. Kinlaw back here at Banneker.

Carleeza "Cece" Garrett a graduate of the 2004 class has moved on to an enormously successful college program at Albany State University. As a freshman, Cece’s Lady Ram Volleyball Team won the SIAC Championship and went on to compete at the National Level. She is currently a member of the Lady Ram Tennis Team where she competes on the singles and doubles courts. Cece’s advise to young female Trojans is to expand your options through diligent academic performance and a wide variety of extra-curricular/athletic activities. She says "whatever you do, give it your all".

This Is Camille TeBout from the class of 2004. I am writing about my success story. I am now a part of the Alabama State Universities softball team. Next year I will be on a full scholarship. I am doing pretty well in academics. Last semester I had a 3.4 GPA with 3 A's 1 B and 1 C. My major is Biology education, Pre Occupational therapy. I am looking forward to coming back to share my success with the lady Trojans softball team. That is all for now. Tell everyone I said hello.

Sincerely Yours,
Camille TeBout

Marcus Brown Named First Team All-Conference

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Former Trojan Basketball Star Marcus Brown, a 6-7 senior forward at Georgia State, has joined the ranks of those selected for the First Team All-Conference. Brown had also been an honoree on the A-Sun All-Academic Team. Marcus left Banneker as one of the members of the varsity basketball team making it to the state final four in Macon Georgia. He then began his college career at Jackson State before transferring to Georgia Perimeter JC where he helped lead Perimeter to the Final Four of the 2003 NJCAA Tournament as that team's leading scorer. Mr. Brown transferred to Georgia State his junior year and has lead this years team in scoring and was in the Top 30 in the nation in shooting accuracy. We are are very proud of Marcus and he just proves one more time that Banneker is the best.

Darius Watts Has Outstanding Rookie Year In The NFL

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Former Trojan Football Star Darius Watts now a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos had an almost to good to believe true rookie year in the NFL. Darius was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the second round and was 54th overall in the entire 2004 NFL Draft. Watts made 31 catches to rank third among AFC rookies while he also ranked second in the AFC among rookies with 385 receiving yards. Darius finished the season tying for the fifth-best rookie receiving output in Broncos history. Congratulations to Darius Watts from the entire Trojan Family. We look forward to next season.

Shemika S. Turner Class of 1996
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They just can not stay away. Shemika S. Turner graduated from Banneker with the elite class of 1996. While attending Banneker she was on the Super Honor Roll for four years. She also participated in the Beta Club, Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and SGA. As a Trojan Ms. Turner was a member of the Girls Basketball Team, Track Team, Softball, and Band. She was named as a Stand Out Athelete.

After graduating from Banneker Shemika received a full four-year basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina Charlotte. In the year 2000 she received a B.A. Degree in Communications/Public Relation. After receiving her degree Ms. Turner played professional basketball in Europe(Portugal) and played semi-professional basketball in the WNBL with the Birmingham Power. She also has worked with Fulton County Parks and Recreation; Summer Camp Counselor, Youth Athletics Coach, and as a Program Services Specialist.

At her Alma Mater Banneker High School, Shemika Turner is now a Special Education Teacher. She also works as the Basketball and Track assistant coach. We are very lucky to have Ms. Turner on our staff.

Erica L. Brantley, CHES, MSA Class of 1995
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Erica Brantley, an Atlanta, GA native, transferred to Banneker High during her junior year. While a student at Banneker, Erica was involved in several school activities. Her participation included proudly serving as class president and being an active member of the Lady Trojan’s basketball and track teams. After graduation in 1995, Erica attended the University of Georgia as a HOPE scholar to pursue a degree in Health Promotion and Behavior.

As a student at UGA, Erica continued her community service involvement. She served as co-team leader of the Black Educational Support Team, reinstated the campus chapter of the NAACP - serving as president for 2 years and selected as a UGA Peer Health Educator and student representative for the University of Georgia Presidential Multicultural Affairs Committee.

Erica has upheld Banneker’s school motto of striving for excellence, learning for life by obtaining her Master of Science in Health Administration. She currently is employed as a Community Health Educator for the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities. Additionally, she is finalizing plans to open Children’s Health Education Support and Solutions - a not-for-profit that will provide therapeutic services to youth with behavioral and developmental disability concerns.

Erica is the proud parent of Kameron whom she says “brings a daily breath of fresh air to her life”. You may contact Erica at brantleye@hotmail.com

Donna M Smith (Williams) Class of 1996
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Donna Smith graduated from Banneker with the proud Class of 1996. She was a member of the Mighty Marching Trojans (1992-1996). She was one of the few female drummers (tenor drum) that have graced the field at Banneker. She was SGA vice-president and Senior Class Treasurer during the 1995-1996 school year. She was a member of the TAG program, National Honor Society, CBE, Pep Squad, and a Statistician for the Womens Varsity Basketball Team.

After graduation, she attended Tuskegee University (1996-2000), where she majored in Computer Science. She was involved in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Past Chapter President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and Past Chapter President of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon (International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines). Donna believes it was her destiny to become an Engineer. She survived college life and graduated with a BS in computer Science from TU in the year 2000.

Ms. Smith was recruited after graduation to work at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona as a Software Engineer. She has worked in various arenas including Testing Software, Developing Software, to currently supporting Software Applications. Donna is currently married with one child and residing in the Tucson area. She wanted to mention that her maiden name is "Donna Williams", so if any current students are ever in the band room (and the old pictures of the band lines are still up) that's how you can identify her.

Donna admits that a lot of her work ethics and values were instilled at Banneker High School. From the counselors, through the teachers, up to the Principal (Mr. Hansell Gunn) and his staff. Ms. Smith is working on information for the Class of 1996 Reunion so all

Rev Jacson L. Moody Jr. Class of 1989
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I am the Rev Jacson L. Moody Jr. I am a 1989 graduate of B. E. Banneker High School. I am also an Alumnus of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. I have enjoyed great success in several fields since my departure from Banneker. I served as regional sales manager with the Kirby Co. I have been a highly sought after motivational speaker known to awaken the sleeping giant inside of all listening. In 1996, I answered the calling into the ministry. I currently serve as the Sr. Pastor of the Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Baxley, Georgia. I have developed a bit of a reputation for bringing strong leadership and growth with me wherever I go. All the leadership skills that I have were learned in the confines of Banneker High School. I was extremely active in a lot of different areas both academically and athletically during my time at Banneker. One must understand that Banneker was a very different place in the late nineteen eighties. We did not have very much at all but we did the best that we could with what we had. I thank God that we had to endure the hardships that we faced at Banneker because it made us stronger as people. I will be attending Emory University this fall where I plan to begin my quest to receive my doctorate.

Another formal Trojan star enters the NFL(National Football League). Levon Thomas has joined the Indianaplois Colts of the NFL. That makes two years in a row that formal Trojan receivers enter the ranks of the NFL. Last year Darius Wyatts was drafted by the Denver Broncos and had a great rookie season. This coming up season (Greg Blue playing his senior year for the University Of Georgia Bulldogs) has a great chance of making it three years in a roll for Banneker Alumni.

Levon Thomas will be able to play all three receiver positions for the Colts. He returned kickoffs for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets last year. It will be interesting to see if Thomas gets a chance to return kickoffs in the NFL. All this versatility makes Levon Thomas an exciting formal Trojan for the entire Banneker family to watch on Sundays and be proud of.

It takes a whole lot more that just fast feet and good hands to make it to the NFL. The person has to be focused and very self disciplined. It takes good work habits and more than 110% effort all the time. It requires a lot of heart and willpower.

Levon Thomas, congratulations

and remember the entire Banneker family is behind you and very proud of you!

The Second Annual Lighthouse Awards was aired Thursday, April 21, at 8 p.m. on the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications’ homepage, www.hamptonu.edu/shsjc. This glamorous event featured the work of some of Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications’ talented students. Students submitted original pieces of work that were produced in their classes this academic school year. Entries were then sent to outside professionals in their corresponding fields, where three finalists in each category were chosen.