Today marked a proud and memorable moment for Ella Fitzgerald Academy as our city's Mayor Mike Spano recognized our school as his Mayor Mike Spano’s School Spotlight of the Month. The celebration brought together students, staff, families, and distinguished guests to honor the vibrant learning community that makes our school so special.
Our 4th grade students opened the ceremony with a beautiful performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing under the direction of Mr. Michael Taylor. Their voices set the tone for a meaningful and inspiring event.
We were honored to hear remarks from Mayor Mike Spano, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Aníbal Soler, Jr., Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio, Associate Superintendent Mrs. Lissette Colón Collins, PTA President Mrs. Maribel Blanco, and our school leaders, Principal Dr. Valencia Brown-Wyatt and Assistant Principal Dr. Cynthia Heid.
Student voice was a powerful highlight of the event. 8th grade Student Council President Rodrigo Gutierrez and 7th grade Equity Team member Samantha Ochoa delivered heartfelt remarks about their experiences at Ella Fitzgerald Academy and the profound impact our school community has had on their growth and future.
In a moving tribute to poets Amanda Gorman and Langston Hughes, student readers Asia Miller, Emmanuel Fahnbulleh, Emily Estrada, and Joseph Encarnación Cruz performed a chorale reading of Gorman’s The Hill We Climb and Hughes’ Dreams, celebrating themes of hope, unity, and possibility.
The event was a wonderful celebration of our “hidden gem" of a school, a term Dr. Heid has always fondly referred to us as. We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families, and grateful for the leadership of Dr. Wyatt and Dr. Heid. We are excited for the greater Yonkers community to recognize and celebrate all that we accomplish each day at Ella Fitzgerald Academy.
