Hillside celebrates seniors' 'big steps'

By Stanley B. Chambers Jr., The Durham News

May 30, 2010

Students at Hillside High School's Decision Day wore their college T-shirts not only for themselves, but for their high school as well.

"It's just a really special day because coming from Hillside, people don't expect a lot from us," said Sakeinah Perry, 18, a senior who sported a University of South Carolina shirt. "It shows that this senior class plans on taking big steps. We are doing something positive that should be recognized."

Perry, along with about 250 of her fellow graduating seniors, celebrated their post-high school choices during the school's Decision Day on Monday. Whether choosing college or the military, students wore T-shirts representing their next move.

The school hosted a similar effort last year, but this was the first with an assembly. Hosted by K97.5's Brian Dawson, the event featured encouraging words from Mayor Bill Bell. Students also listened to a panel of former Hillside students discussing college life.

As a junior, Jordan Jones looked forward to events like Monday's assembly.

"I think it'll encourage the underclassmen to think about college ahead of time," said Jones, 18, while wearing a UNC-Greensboro T-shirt. "When you see the older people in front of you doing something, it makes the younger people feel motivated."

The event is part of an effort by first-year Principal Hans Lassiter to improve the school's perception and test scores. Early indicators show that up to 60 percent of Hillside students could pass this year's state tests, which would be the most in school history. The school has earned consecutive district recognitions this year for having the most improved attendance among high schools.

Decision Day is one of various efforts school officials are employing in the "Pillars of Success Program," a six-step plan to improve Hillside.

"The Decision Day festivities is but one motivational tool we will use to expose our kids to another world of excellence," Lassiter said. "We shout our kids out for acceptance into trade, industrial, vocational, two-year and four-year colleges because we know that no matter where the student chooses to attend, they're going to acquire additional skill and knowledge to make themselves marketable so they can earn a living at a decent wage."

Doing so requires making good choices, which is what Bell stressed.

"If you want to do bad, you don't have to have anybody that's doing bad to hang out with," he told students. "You can do bad by yourself."

Being successful in college requires strong time-management skills, said Jessica Watkins, a 2006 Hillside graduate who recently earned a computer science degree from Wake Forest University.

"You want to take advantage of the full college experience, and in order to do that you need to be involved in educational activities," she said. "If you can get your name out there early and figure out what you want to do, that's very beneficial."

schamber@nando.com or 932-2025