Jaisaan Lovett is the first black valedictorian at his high school and the first person not allowed to give a speech.
But, that all changed when the mayor of Rochester, New York, Lovely Warren stepped in and gave the student a bigger platform for his message.
According to Lovett, who was a new graduate of Rochester’s University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men, after receiving this academic honor, he was never asked by his principal, Mr. Munno, to give a speech, even though previous valedictorians had the opportunity.
“He didn’t want to see the speech or what it said, nothing,” the Clark Atlanta bound student told the Democrat and Chronicle. “He just said no.” The paper said Munno declined to comment when they reached out.
So, instead of letting this great moment pass, Mayor Warren invited Lovett, who works in her office as an intern, to deliver his valedictorian speech at City Hall.
Jaisaan Lovett’s Valedictorian Speech
This year, Jaisaan Lovett became the first African American valedictorian in the history of the University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men, here in Rochester. Unfortunately, Jaisaan’s school did not allow him to give his valedictory speech at his graduation. Mayor Warren is honored to give Jaisaan this opportunity to take his bow.
“Jaisaan will never graduate from high school again. He will never get that moment back. This is not the time to punish a child because you may not like what he has to say,” she said.
The high school’s board of trustees put their own statement out via Facebook after every transpired.
After everything occurred the school’s board of trustees put out their own statement via Facebook.
University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men
From the UPrep Board of Trustees: We are aware of the concern with the Valedictorian not speaking at graduation. The Board will be reviewing the circumstances regarding what happened and looking…
