Perseverance is graduation’s keynote at McKinley
McKinley ceremony honors two who overcame adversity
Two seniors who overcame adversity were celebrated at McKinley High School’s graduation Thursday.
La’Quisha Pompey, who, as an innocent bystander, was paralyzed by bullets from a hired gunman in August 2006, and Jayvonna Kincannon, who endured a controversial five-week suspension later expunged from her record, both concluded their senior years on a high note.
“This is a very special day for McKinley for one of our own, Ms. Pompey,” said Superintendent James A. Williams. “This is her day. And to the young people here, if you can overcome what she is going through, life would be easy.”
Pompey received thunderous applause when she was first introduced and later when she wheeled across the McKinley auditorium stage.
Williams revealed how difficult it had been for Pompey to reach the graduation finish line.
“Yesterday [Pompey] took her final Regents. I understand she was going through a blood transfusion while she was taking her test. I also understand she is leaving today and going back to the hospital,” Williams said.
Pompey was awarded the Florence Johnson Perseverance Award and the Buffalo Chapter of Links’ 2008 scholarship.
Pompey had mixed emotions about leaving McKinley.
“I was crying because I was happy, and I was sad because I have a family at McKinley, and everyone showed that they cared about me,” she said.
She plans to enter the premed program at Daemen College and hopes to become a pediatrician.
Carlos Villarroel, McKinley’s assistant principal, presented Pompey 213 long-stemmed roses — one for each member of the graduating class.
“I have to say she has a spirit that has endured a lot of trouble, a lot of circumstances, but she has pulled through and, with the help of teachers and classmates, fulfilled her purpose and goals,” Villarroel said.
Kincannon also received a huge ovation when announced as the winner of the National Leadership Award, given by the McKinley Alumni Association along with the American Youth Foundation.
“The American Youth Foundation’s motto, ‘My own self, [at] my very best, all the time,’ best expresses the character traits of the McKinley graduate,” Donald Abbott, an alumni association member, said before announcing Kincannon’s name.
Kincannon said she felt great when she heard the crowd’s reaction, and tears welled up when she received the award.
Kincannon admitted later having doubts this day would come. When walking across the stage, she said she thought to herself, ‘I made it, I did it! [After] everything I went through this year, I did it.’ ”
Kincannon plans to study business at Genesee Community College and play on the women’s basketball team.
Although Kincannon and Principal Crystal Barton have been at odds this school year, they shook hands after the Kincannon received her award and again upon getting her diploma.
Asked if there was anything she would like to say to Barton, Kincannon said, “Have a great life, God bless ya. Best of luck to her.”
