Queens Schools Celebrate $2.5 Million Tech Grant

By CRAIG ROGERS

Nelson Mandela might have died recently but his spirit pervaded the halls of the Golden Maple Academy in Queens on Tuesday when the school district received a $2.5 million technology grant in the former president of South Africa’s name.

To celebrate the event and Black History Month, students, faculty and parents gathered in the Far Rockaway public school to hear stirring musical performances by students centering on the theme of black pride.

“This is the beginning of a good start in the City Council,” vowed local Councilman Donald Richards, Jr. a Democrat. “I’m working to ramp up more during the next few years that I am your councilmember.”

Richards, newly elected, represents the 31^st dstrict which includes parts of Bayswater, Edgemere, Far Rockaway and other neighborhoods of Queens, NY.

Students from seven schools took to the stage to perform. air jordan 4.5 femmes A standout was the Goldie Maple band, which performed a medley of songs beginning with a rousing rendition of “We shall overcome”.

The celebration included a display called, “Yes, Black people invented that” designed by the students of P.S. 197. The item sincluded the air conditioner, egg beater and ice cream, according to the display. But the inventors never got credit because African-American people were prevented from applying for patents.

To the beat of drums, the students of P.S. 253 recited and danced to the Victorian poem, “Invictus”, Latin for unconquered. This was notably Nelson Mandela’s favorite poem.  He was empowered by its idea of self-mastery and being in control of one’s own destiny.

“It’s important that you listen to where you come from,” said Richards. Many of us have this perception that we can’t be anything but you can be an engineer, you can be a scientist.”