Derrell Nelson

Wilson Magnet High School Class of 2011

Le Moyne College Class of 2015

Playing basketball since he was nine, Rochester-native and Wilson Magnet High School graduate Derrell Nelson has continued to fuel a passion for the sport that led him to travel and study internationally. 

Derrell is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Cardiff University, where he’s the starting shooting guard for the Men’s Basketball team. Cardiff University is one of the 24 Russell Group universities in the UK which is the equivalent of an Ivy League school in the US.  Previously to his studies in the UK, he attended Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

After graduation, Derrell plans to try out for several BBL (British Basketball League) teams and playing professional basketball in the United Kingdom but his long term goal is to ultimately give back to his community in Rochester. Derrell has a business plan and has begun to seek sponsorship for the development of a basketball camp program for inner city youth in Rochester. The primary goal of the camp will be to assist players both academically as well as athletically so they may approach their senior year of high school with a full academic/athletic scholarship to a college or university.  Eventually, the goal is for the camp to go nationwide, helping young basketball players across the country realize their potential at a young age while increasing the enrollment of black males in college institutions.

Derrell currently runs a charity that collects school supplies for youth in Kingston, Jamaica with a local drop-off at Rochester’s School 19. More information and how to contribute >

 

 

 

  

  Elyssia Primus graduated from RCSD’s School of the Arts in 2010 as a dance major. She went on to attend an accelerated 6-year Physical Therapy program at Nazareth College of Rochester. On May 8 2016 Elyssia graduated with a doctorate in Physical Therapy degree. Elyssia was inspired to become a Physical Therapist after taking anatomy class as a dance major at SOTA and by the Physical Therapist who treated dancers backstage during the annual SOTA dance concert. Elyssia’s passion is in the field of research, she would like to pursue a career in prosthetics research in order to help people regain movement and quality of life.

 

Ms. Kiley’s also has a new thriller currently in post-production named 'Caught' starring Anna Camp, Sam Page and Stefanie Scott. Kiley's first full-length directorial credit is 2013's 'Brightest Star.'

Tatiana Williams, Alumni of School of the Arts (SOTA) Class of 2012

As a 6^th grader he transferred to Charlotte Middle School. Throughout his secondary education he was a member of the Charlotte boys’ basketball and football teams. He graduated as a senior in 2007 as a member of the first graduating class since Charlotte was converted from a middle school to a high school.

Upon high school graduation Quinton attended SUNY Morrisville College where he studied Gaming and Casino Management. As a student Quinton played college level football and completed course work in hotel operations, tourism planning, hospitality sales and marketing. It was during his college years he discovered a love for hospitality and tourism.

After graduating from college Quinton obtained a job at the Residence Inn Marriott in Greece, New York. He was the recipient of the 2013 Employee of the Year Award. His enthusiastic personality and diligent work ethic landed him the opportunity to relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina. After a two part interview he was hired on the spot at the Renaissance Marriott as a Reception Ambassador in the southpark area of the Queen City. The Renaissance Marriott is a luxury hotel committed to excellence in service and world-class hospitality. They take pride in their employees who exemplify the renaissance factor.  

His supervisor Jessica Brett, a 4 year employee and Long Island native shared that “Quinton is extremely helpful; he is enthusiastic about his job and is an outstanding representative for the Marriott brand”.   

Congratulations Quinton King; a shining RCSD alumnus!  

“ I was assisted while a Madison student in many ways by the faculty and staff. For instance, during my junior year my Dad told me he could longer afford to pay for my lunch. Coach Spencer arranged for me to work after school in the school cafeteria and therefore earn my daily lunch. My coach encouraged me to seek an after school job at Gannett Newspapers so I could afford to remain in school during my senior year. Another instance where Madison High School helped my personal growth was when a  counselor treated me like his son when I was sent out of the room for disciplinary reasons.

 

The “VILLAGE” raised me. There are many examples that I could recall when I was treated like a human being and not just as a student. Those times when things did not go my way taught me lessons for future perseverance.”

My name is Nekoro Gomes and I am a 29-year-old alumni of the Rochester City School District, specifically, Public School 37 in  the 19th Ward, Frank Fowler Dow #52 School, Frederick Douglass Middle School and East High School, where I graduated as part of the National Honor Society, and 11th in my graduating High School Class.

Today, I am the Community Engagement Manager for City Limits, a New York City-based non-profit that strengthens community engagement on civic, economic, and social justice issues by providing weekly news and information on policies affecting the urban agenda. Many of the issues that I advocate for and promote on a weekly basis, related to educational opportunity, and the importance of civic involvement and engagement, I developed as a student in the Rochester City School District. The thing I appreciated the most as a product of the school system in Rochester was the sense of community and involvement that I had there, not just from my teachers, but my coaches and fellow students as well. Things were not always perfect, to be sure. Many of my male peers in the school system had to grow up too fast, and unfortunately, I've heard of a couple friends who I played soccer with or whose company I enjoyed in high school being lost too soon in life.

Marcus Beaty, East High School Graduate Class of 2007

“Being a black male, statistics say that the chances of me going to a highly ranked college and graduating with dual degrees are slim. I really appreciated the cultural experience of East High School because it really prepared me for my college career.  The transition from a private school to a city school my freshman year was a difficult one and I made up my mind that I had to take responsibility for my learning.  With this knowledge I took responsibility for my own learning and sought out excellence in college and in the workforce.  I challenged and defeated every statistic regarding black males succeeding and continuing onto college. I graduated from Hobart College with a Master’s in Economics and Africana Studies. I seek excellence in what I do. I care about my future and continuing on my road to success”