TAYLOR TOWNSEND Tennis Professional

Taylor Townsend has been playing tennis and breaking barriers since she was 4 years old. Throughout her career she's been told she wasn’t good enough, shown that she wasn't appreciated, and faced industry disenfranchisement. She not only silenced those voices but proved them wrong going on to win the 2012 Australian Open jr. in both singles and doubles, ending the 2012 year as the world number one junior and first african american number one junior in 34 years. She turned professional at the age of seventeen, in the same year she would make the finals of Junior Wimbledon.

This was just the beginning for Taylor as she would continue to her grand slam debut at Roland Garros advancing to the 3rd round, end her 2014 year by breaking into the top 100, battle her way through qualifying matches to secure her spot in the round of 16 at the 2019 U.S Open, achieve a career high ranking of #67 in the world, win her first WTA doubles title by beating Serena Williams and her partner Caroline Wozniacki, and advanced to the semifinals of the US Open while 3 months pregnant.

Just to name a few; however, despite her successes, those voices lingered; For the majority of her professional career she has been fighting those voices, Now 25 and a new mom, all of these lessons and obstacles have made Taylor stronger and more focused in every area of her life to make her a better person. 2021 SUMMER COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Processional ...... Pomp and Circumstance

Presentation of Colors ...... Mt. Zion High School JROTC

National Anthem ...... Miss Emmanuella Emah

Welcome...... Dr. Sandra Nunez Deputy Superintendent of Student Support Services

Recognition of Guests...... Ms. Felicia Brown Principal, Jonesboro High School

Introduction of Speaker ...... Mr. Gary Townsend Mundy’s Mill High School Principal

Inspiration ...... Ms. Taylor Townsend Former CCPS Student & Tennis Professional Motivational Speaker

Presentation of Candidates ...... Dr. Ebony Lee Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Delivery of Diplomas ...... High School Principals High School Counselors

Confirmation of Candidates...... Dr. Morcease J. Beasley Superintendent/CEO of Schools

Closing Remarks ...... Dr. Morcease J. Beasley Superintendent/CEO of Schools

Recessional ...... Pomp and Circumstance SCHOOL LEADERSHIP Dr. Ralph Simpson Deputy Superintendent of School Leadership & Improvement

Dr. Keith Colbert Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Timothy Guiney Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Douglas Hendrix Assistant Superintendent

Ms. Charmine Johnson Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Ebony Lee Assistant Superintendent

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Mr. Derrick Manning Ms. Jamille Ms. Stephanie Trice Forest Park High School Miller-Brown Charles Drew Riverdale High School High School Ms. Felicia Brown Jonesboro High School Mr. Rodney Jordan Dr. Terry Young Lovejoy High School Eula Ponds Perry Center Dr. Pamela Pitts for Learning Morrow High School Mr. Melvin Blocker Mt. Zion High School Dr. Michael Robinson Dr. Eldrick Horton Stilwell North Clayton Mr. Gary Townsend Fine Arts Academy High School Mundy’s Mill High School

WORDS OF MOTIVATION FROM CCPS LEADERS

To Our Class of 2021 Summer Graduates,

Make life what you want it to be by being who it needs you to be. Dr. Morcease J. Beasley, Superintendent/CEO of Schools

Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it. ~ Mark Amend Dr. Ralph Simpson, Deputy Superintendent

“Your education is a dress rehearsal for the life that is yours to lead”. ~ Nora Ephron Dr. Sandra Nunez, Deputy Superintendent

'Dreams are lovely, but they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen, It's hard work that creates change.'

You have officially exemplified WILDCAT PRIDE: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dedication & Excellence! You did it the WILDCAT WAY! You are the hope of the slaves, you are the pride of your ancestors, you are OUR FUTURE. Go forth, and be GREAT! Mr. R. Jordan - Principal, Lovejoy High School

The essence of life is not always measured by time. It is often rooted in focus, quality and perseverance. Our summer graduates have epitomized the same! Dr. Eldrick Horton - Principal, North Clayton High School

Once a Panther, always a Panther - Panther alumni now... Congratulations! I am so proud of you - you are to be commended for exhibiting phenomenal resilience and perseverance... Remember, I love you, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, except make me love you more! Mr. Derrick Manning - Principal, Forest Park High School

Believe in yourself and you will be Unstoppable! Ms. Felicia Brown - Principal, Jonesboro High School

Today is your opportunity to acknowledge your accomplishments and feel a sense of pride that you are here today because you strived to be excellent without making excuses! Dr. Pamela Pitts - Principal, Morrow High School

"Throughout life, some people will quit on you so expect it. The most important mindset to have is to never quit on yourself!!” Dr. Terry Young - Principal, Perry Career Academy CLASS OF 2021 SUMMER GRADUATES

CHARLES DREW HIGH SCHOOL Sean Calixte Aljhamar Francis Daveon Turner Abigail Valerio-Hernandez Deron Fambro Deztuni Jones Jaylan Turner Diana Ventura EULA PONDS PERRY CAREER ACADEMY Jessica Arellano-Martinez Vashon Herron Dy'Shawn Mathis Andres Sibrian Denilson Arita Bonilla Demarcus Higgins Julian Mcghee Jimore Small Reyonna Arnold Immanuel Hollomon Jerry Mcgill James Smith Tyandria Beatty Je'Miya Holmes Travios Mosley Keyonte Thaga Gaviale Bland Justin Jackson Jaylan Nephew Blake Walcott Riley Boyd Keshun Jenkins William Niles Antonio Walker Quentavius Chandler Archie Johnson Petra Pantaleon-Uribe Amari Washington Allen Chery Jada Jones William Perkins Desiree Washington Joseph Chevis DaeAnte' Kinney Jeremiah Pitts Chance Washington Baron Clemens Eduardo Licona Liliana Ramirez N'yJae Welch Tamika Deas Tauriqua Lipscomb Jacara Reedy Lundawn West Simeon Diaz Jalondia Mack Alan Rodriguez Kaleb Williams Juwan Drew Maria Marin Zamora Judah Rodriguez Alejandra Zapata Barrera Ramel Eyma FOREST PARK HIGH SCHOOL Demetrius Astin Priscilla Hernandez Jose Meneses Julian Torrres-Montalvo Irene Blanco Holong Jaquez Lau Kanaji Stegall Shannon Van

JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL Treasure Gadson Timothy Bryant Jessica Wyatt Iysis Bush Keith Leonard Zachery Johnson

LOVEJOY HIGH SCHOOL Kamryn Banks Kody Moore Derrick Wideman

MORROW HIGH SCHOOL Xavier Adams Brittany Bailey Taliyah Spencer-McKissack Ta'zyriah Jones

MT. ZION HIGH SCHOOL Ashanti Kimberly-Michelle Andrews Emmanuelle Sarah-Kelly Crute Zyon Devaugn Jackson Aleena Ziann Bishae' Blanchard Kendall Jeremiah Eason

MUNDY’S MILL HIGH SCHOOL Michaek Barkley Jr. Kamara Reese Karneisha Reaves Vivian Parker

NORTH CLAYTON HIGH SCHOOL Jahmary Benoit* D'Nyah Desander Savion Miller Marco Sosa-Modero Christopher Coffey Raul Herrera-Martinez Maia Printup Audrianna Thomas Johan Cordero-Velazquez Khyseem McAfee Mya Rosario Gerald Walker

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL Trayveona Downer Kenneth Welborne Karina Dominguez Patience Lewis-Allen Marissa Newman ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We acknowledge the following for helping to make the Summer Commencement Ceremony memorable for our graduates:

Clayton County Public Schools Performing Arts Center

Department of Division of Student Support Services

Department of Communications

Herff Jones