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By Dr. Lashundra Hill
Marianne Williamson once quoted, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?”
One of Maynard Jackson’s own has displayed all of these characteristics of being powerful, an inspiration to others, brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and definitely fabulous. Sydney Long has risen to the top; on Friday, October 24, she was crowned Miss Maynard Jackson for the 2014-2015 school year at Grady Stadium, where the Maynard Jackson Jaguars brutally defeated South Atlanta High School.
Of course she had to win by student votes, but she also had to have the grades and representation status for the position; not to mention she was in competition with several other candidates.
Sydney has attended DeVry University, Atlanta Technical College, and is currently enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan College, where she received her international tutoring certification. In the spring she will graduate with both a high school diploma and a technical degree from Atlanta Technical College.
Sydney has proven over and over again her commitment to education. She has been on the Honor Roll and Principal’s List every year of high school. She has continued to remain in the top 20% of her class by maintaining over a 90 weighted grade point average, which includes taking several Honor’s and Advanced Placement classes as well as college classes. She is an active member of the Beta Club and a recipient of an award from the National Honor Society of High School Scholars.
It has been noted by Sydney’s college instructors that she consistently demonstrates an ability to rise to any challenge that she must face. Sydney says, “This is only the beginning, and I thank everyone who believed in me and who has helped me turn my homecoming dreams into a reality.”
