Thursday, May 12 2011 8:14 AM EDT2011-05-12 12:14:17 GMT
Now that President Barack Obama is set to speak at Booker T. Washington High School's graduation next week, students and faculty are feeling the burn of the national spotlight. But they don't seem to mind.More >>
Tuesday, May 10 2011 10:53 PM EDT2011-05-11 02:53:19 GMT
The Booker T. Washington community is ecstatic, with news that in less than one week, President Barack Obama will deliver their commencement address.More >>
Friday, April 8 2011 7:06 PM EDT2011-04-08 23:06:08 GMT
The White House says six high schools - from Washington state to New Jersey - have been chosen as finalists in a competition to land President Barack Obama as their commencement speaker.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:49 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:49:28 GMT
(WMC-TV) - A flood frustrated resident in a Southaven neighborhood called her backyard an ocean after severe weather Tuesday. Inside Louise Rinhart's home is not much better. "Carpet and I got hardwoodMore >>
A flood frustrated resident in a Southaven neighborhood called her backyard an ocean after severe weather Tuesday.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:45:37 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Officials are on the scene of a two vehicle crash on Interstate 40 eastbound and Austin Peay Highway.Memphis police shut down eastbound traffic on the interstate around 9:55 p.m. Tuesday.KeepMore >>
Officials are on the scene of a two vehicle crash on Interstate 40 eastbound and Austin Peay Highway.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:43 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:43:21 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Firefighters escorted several families from their flooded homes in Horn Lake after a rain-swollen creek rose beyond its banks Tuesday. The firefighters offered piggyback rides to children toMore >>
Firefighters escorted several families from their flooded homes in Horn Lake after a rain-swollen creek rose beyond its banks Tuesday.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:36 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:36:07 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Memphis' own Sarah Simmons advanced to the next round of NBC's "The Voice" after results were revealed Tuesday night. Voting for the national competition took place Monday after a live nationalMore >>
Memphis' own Sarah Simmons advanced to the next round of NBC's "The Voice" after results were revealed Tuesday night.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:31 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:31:53 GMT
(WMC-TV) - The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday in game 2 93-89. The Grizzlies had a major comeback in the fourth quarter pushing the game into overtime 85-85. Grizzlies returnMore >>
The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday in game 2 93-89.More >>
MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - An academic turnaround at an urban high school with a rich tradition of educating African-Americans has earned graduating seniors a commencement address from President Barack Obama.
Booker T. Washington High School found out it was the winner of a national competition in a phone call Tuesday from Vice President Joe Biden.
The school's accomplishment was announced as the city of Memphis is enduring the second-worst flood of its history. The flooding didn't threaten the school building.
"I'm very excited," said Kenneth Robeson, a member of the class of 2011. "In fact, when I first heard it, I almost cried but I held it together."
Principal Alisha Kiner said she jumped up and down so much that she came out of her shoes when she heard the news. Kriner said her school earned the victory through hard work, passion, and determination.
"The students are the ones who did the work, and they should be commended," she said.
A professionally produced video outlined the hurdles the school's 500 students have overcome to win the competition.
The school is in a gritty south Memphis neighborhood where the median annual income is less than $11,000 and the crime rate is the 14th highest in the nation. Last year 20 percent of the students lost their homes when their public housing project was closed and demolished.
Nevertheless, the school improved its graduation rate from 55 percent in 2007 to more than 80 percent in 2010. That improvement was cited as key to winning the administration's Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge, which honors schools for preparing students for college and careers.
"Looking at everybody and what we've been throughout the year, and how people have been telling us that the president's not coming, and now that he is, it's just showing that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to," senior student Vashti Taylor said.
The White House said Obama's visit was scheduled for Monday, and aditional details would be forthcoming.
Booker T. Washington High opened in 1873 as the first public high school for blacks in Memphis. Its alumni include Benjamin Hooks, who was executive director of the NAACP, and Willie Herenton, the city's first black mayor.
The other finalists in the competition were High Tech High International in San Diego and Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Wash.
Copyright 2011 WMC-TV. All rights reserved. The AP contributed to this story.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:45:37 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Officials are on the scene of a two vehicle crash on Interstate 40 eastbound and Austin Peay Highway.Memphis police shut down eastbound traffic on the interstate around 9:55 p.m. Tuesday.KeepMore >>
Officials are on the scene of a two vehicle crash on Interstate 40 eastbound and Austin Peay Highway.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:43 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:43:21 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Firefighters escorted several families from their flooded homes in Horn Lake after a rain-swollen creek rose beyond its banks Tuesday. The firefighters offered piggyback rides to children toMore >>
Firefighters escorted several families from their flooded homes in Horn Lake after a rain-swollen creek rose beyond its banks Tuesday.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:36 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:36:07 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Memphis' own Sarah Simmons advanced to the next round of NBC's "The Voice" after results were revealed Tuesday night. Voting for the national competition took place Monday after a live nationalMore >>
Memphis' own Sarah Simmons advanced to the next round of NBC's "The Voice" after results were revealed Tuesday night.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:30:23 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Torrential rain hit just as drivers' were heading home from work Tuesday. It made for some interesting travel as East Memphis motorists had to endure water covered areas. Many drivers sloshedMore >>
Torrential rain hit just as drivers' were heading home from work Tuesday.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:49 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:49:28 GMT
(WMC-TV) - A flood frustrated resident in a Southaven neighborhood called her backyard an ocean after severe weather Tuesday. Inside Louise Rinhart's home is not much better. "Carpet and I got hardwoodMore >>
A flood frustrated resident in a Southaven neighborhood called her backyard an ocean after severe weather Tuesday.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:33:24 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mid-SouthMore >>
Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:18:00 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Roadways around the Mid-South are flooding resulting in cars getting stuck in massive puddles and flooded areas. At least three cars are halfway under water at Goodman Road and Elmore Road.More >>
Roadways around the Mid-South are flooding resulting in cars getting stuck in massive puddles and flooded areas.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:56:46 GMT
(WMC-TV) - KFOR out of Oklahoma City captured incredible video with its chopper of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. So, how is that even possible? Is it safe? Action News 5's Chopper 5 pilot Sam FarrisMore >>
KFOR out of Oklahoma City captured incredible video with its chopper of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. So, how is that even possible? Is it safe?More >>
From the Action News 5 Oklahoma Spring Tornado Fund drive to the efforts of local citizens and businesses, the Mid-South digs into its pockets for Oklahoma.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:29:03 GMT
(WMC-TV) - A snapshot into the lives of a Germantown family comes with a warning. "Every day is just a struggle, especially with the fatigue," said Wilson Nanney. "I mean, it takes a lot of energy toMore >>
A snapshot into the lives of a Germantown family comes with a warning.More >>
