FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - (CBS News) -- If you worry about the future of our kids, listen to the story of Miramar High School. Miramar was one of the worst schools in Florida, but in 10 years, with a new administration and dedicated teachers, it's now among the best. Leading the way is Alvin A. Davis, the band director, who is now a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.
CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts reports that Davis is more than the music teacher and band director. He's old-school, no-nonsense, and an inspiration.
"I see every report card. I see every interim, and if the grades aren't up to par, they're gonna take a break from being in my program," Davis said.
Davis' program was key to Miramar High's turn around. The band grew from 40 students to 150 and became the pride of the school. Ninety-percent of Miramar students graduate, but nobody beats the band. For four years in a row, 100 percent of the band has graduated and gone on to college. Davis said his kids would probably describe him as "rough."
"His number one priority and goal is to get all of us to college," said Sandra Romero, a member of the band.
Davis doesn't just get kids to college, he keeps them there. Andrew Wan is one of Davis' former students. Like Davis, Wan enrolled at Florida A&M University and joined the famous MARCHING 100 band. When college got tough Wan wanted out.
"He said it so simply: 'If you quit band now and you come back home, what are you gonna do?'" Wan said.
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Miramar High School (Florida) teacher Alvin Davis named finalist for nation’s top educator
On Thursday, the Council of Chief State School Officers announced their four finalists for the nation’s top K-12 educator — including Davis who has taught music for the past 11 years.
“Alvin is a competent and passionate educator who makes sure his students have every chance for success,” Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson wrote in a press statement. “He knows that teachers are the most influential factor in a student’s academic accomplishments and I am honored to congratulate him for this nomination.”
As band director, Davis requires a one-hour study hall for all band members, and also pairs students with mentors to track their academic progress. Before Seniors even think about performing in the band, they must show Davis proof that they’ve applied to college and have registered to take their college entrance exams.
As Florida’s Teacher of the Year, Davis also serves as the state’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, visiting schools throughout Florida to speak on education issues.
Davis’s competition for the national prize includes the teachers of the year for Alabama, California, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
FAMU linebacker Brandon Hepburn puts his passion into research
BRANDON HEPBURN SENIOR, BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR 6'-4"/235 LINEBACKER HOMETOWN: POMONA, NEW YORK POMONA HIGH SCHOOL |
Seldom does his talk last more than a few minutes, but it's important, he insists.
"I'm a high-intensity guy," he said. "I know a lot of times people get into a monotonous rut. As a leader, it's my responsibility to make sure that my teammates are prepared to play. I do my best to encourage them through the intensity to get them super-charged."
He has the same attitude when it comes to his studies in biochemistry. Hepburn was just as wired last week when he presented the results of his findings for a cure for cancer to an international audience at the American Chemical Society conference in San Diego, California.
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TSU Spring Football Update: Coach Roberts Talks Defense
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University football completed another practice on Monday afternoon. The Tigers are midway through the spring calendar and conclude next week with the Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 14.
TSUTigers.com sat down with Co-Defensive Coordinator Justin Roberts to talk about the Tigers' progression on defense. Coach Roberts highlighted some of the focus for the Tigers, while addressing the absences of OVC Defensive Player of the Year Rico Council, HBCU All-American Jospeh Wylie, linebacker John Jones and stalwart lineman Donte'e Nicholls.
TSU practices again on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and scrimmages Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at Hale Stadium.
Next week provides a full slate of activities for Big Blue fans. The Tigers host the annual Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Celebrity Slam Jam on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. The TSU Legends football game with Vanderbilt takes place Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. followed by the Blue-White Spring game at 3:30 p.m.
UPCOMING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, April 4 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 - 9:15 a.m.
Monday, April 9 - 4 p.m.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TSUTigers.com sat down with Co-Defensive Coordinator Justin Roberts to talk about the Tigers' progression on defense. Coach Roberts highlighted some of the focus for the Tigers, while addressing the absences of OVC Defensive Player of the Year Rico Council, HBCU All-American Jospeh Wylie, linebacker John Jones and stalwart lineman Donte'e Nicholls.
TSU practices again on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and scrimmages Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at Hale Stadium.
Next week provides a full slate of activities for Big Blue fans. The Tigers host the annual Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Celebrity Slam Jam on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. The TSU Legends football game with Vanderbilt takes place Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. followed by the Blue-White Spring game at 3:30 p.m.
UPCOMING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, April 4 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 - 9:15 a.m.
Monday, April 9 - 4 p.m.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
XU Gold Rush defeat seventh-ranked Point Loma Nazarene
SAN DIEGO, California — Loic Didavi defeated Tyler Bowman 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 Monday to clinch a 5-4 NAIA men's tennis victory for ninth-ranked Xavier University of Louisiana against No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene.
Point Loma's sixth-ranked women defeated No. 24 Xavier 8-1, but XU's Kourtney Howell defeated Maika Adair 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-5 in a matchup of ranked singles players.
The Gold Rush (11-4) won for the seventh time in nine duals this season against ranked opponents and beat a seventh-ranked team for the second consecutive year. The XU men have two victories this season against top-10 teams.
Didavi's victory gave Xavier a 5-2 lead. The Gold Rush won all three doubles matches, two against ranked teams.
The other Xavier singles victory came from Amir Rahbar, who is 5-0 in three-set matches this spring after his 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 decision against Diego Tavera to give the Rush a 4-2 lead.
Didavi and Zach Taylor completed the doubles sweep with their 8-5 victory against Bowman and Gregory De Andrade. It was Didavi and Taylor's sixth consecutive victory and their 13th in 14 matches this spring. Including fall tournaments, Didavi and Taylor are 20-3.
Viktor Svoboda and Corey Huggins scored XU's first point with an 8-0 decision against Andrew Combs and Kaptan Kaster, then Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson won 8-4 against Angel Tavera and KC Ensley.
Chad Rubin ended the 10-match singles win streak of XU's Sean Richardson with a 6-3, 6-1 decision at the sixth flight.
"This was a hard-fought match," XU coach Alan Green said, "and a great start for us in doubles."
Howell's victory was her third of the season against a ranked singles player. Freshman teammate Amanda Materre also went three sets but lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Jessica Kwan at No. 2.
Wileen Chiu improved to 13-0 in singles this semester with her 6-0, 6-0 victory against the Gold Nuggets' Jordyn Goody at No. 5.
Point Loma's men are 9-7, and its women are 11-5. Xavier's women are 3-17, 1-7 against ranked teams.
This was the first of four consecutive days that both XU teams play ranked teams in California. They'll travel to Santa Barbara on Tuesday to play Westmont's 10th-ranked men and 21st-ranked women at 2 p.m. PDT.
Results: Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Point Loma's sixth-ranked women defeated No. 24 Xavier 8-1, but XU's Kourtney Howell defeated Maika Adair 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-5 in a matchup of ranked singles players.
The Gold Rush (11-4) won for the seventh time in nine duals this season against ranked opponents and beat a seventh-ranked team for the second consecutive year. The XU men have two victories this season against top-10 teams.
Didavi's victory gave Xavier a 5-2 lead. The Gold Rush won all three doubles matches, two against ranked teams.
The other Xavier singles victory came from Amir Rahbar, who is 5-0 in three-set matches this spring after his 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 decision against Diego Tavera to give the Rush a 4-2 lead.
Didavi and Zach Taylor completed the doubles sweep with their 8-5 victory against Bowman and Gregory De Andrade. It was Didavi and Taylor's sixth consecutive victory and their 13th in 14 matches this spring. Including fall tournaments, Didavi and Taylor are 20-3.
Viktor Svoboda and Corey Huggins scored XU's first point with an 8-0 decision against Andrew Combs and Kaptan Kaster, then Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson won 8-4 against Angel Tavera and KC Ensley.
Chad Rubin ended the 10-match singles win streak of XU's Sean Richardson with a 6-3, 6-1 decision at the sixth flight.
"This was a hard-fought match," XU coach Alan Green said, "and a great start for us in doubles."
Howell's victory was her third of the season against a ranked singles player. Freshman teammate Amanda Materre also went three sets but lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Jessica Kwan at No. 2.
Wileen Chiu improved to 13-0 in singles this semester with her 6-0, 6-0 victory against the Gold Nuggets' Jordyn Goody at No. 5.
Point Loma's men are 9-7, and its women are 11-5. Xavier's women are 3-17, 1-7 against ranked teams.
This was the first of four consecutive days that both XU teams play ranked teams in California. They'll travel to Santa Barbara on Tuesday to play Westmont's 10th-ranked men and 21st-ranked women at 2 p.m. PDT.
Results: Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Monday, April 2, 2012
GSU still in second after PVAMU victory Sunday
Prairie View, Texas -- Grambling had an opportunity to move into a first-place tie in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's West Division with a win in Sunday's series finale.
But Prairie View A&M quickly put an end to that thought en route to a 10-4 victory at Grambling, winning the series at GSU two games to one. The Panthers (18-10, 9-2 SWAC) retain the top spot in the SWAC West while Grambling (14-11, 8-4) remains in second place.
Prairie View outhit Grambling 14-5 in the win. Grambling's Joel Deleon gets the loss with four earned runs in five innings.
SSU's Broadnax receives inaugural John McLendon Award
HORACE BROADNAX HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY |
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Savannah State men’s basketball coach Horace Broadnax received the inaugural John McLendon National Coach of the Year Award at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet in New Orleans. The award will be presented annually to the top collegiate head coach. The award encompasses Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO.
Broadnax, one of 15 finalists, won the award after leading Savannah State to a 21-12 record and winning the regular-season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in SSU’s first year in the conference with a 14-2 record.
In addition to this award, Broadnax was also tabbed the MEAC Coach of the Year for the 2011-12 season.
The former Georgetown point guard took over a program that went 0-28 during the 2004-05 and his teams have shown steady progress going from two wins during the 2005-06 season to 21 wins during the 2011-12 campaign.
Stillman baseball stays perfect in SIAC
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama | The Stillman College baseball team erased a five-run deficit by scoring 10 in the bottom of the fifth inning en route to a 21-11 win over Paine College on Sunday.
Stillman (15-14, 12-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic COnference) has won 10 of 11. Paine (15-15, 7-5 SIAC) has lost three straight.
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