The Alameda Unified School District will be honoring “Spotlight Students” in a new column in the newsletter. A Spotlight Student is someone that has made progress in their educational performance.

Today AUSD is shining a spotlight on 9th grade Encinal High School student Lelon Neely, a kind, wise, and honest student.

Lelon attended Wood Middle School last school year and participated in the Review and Relate mentorship program focused on accountability, engagement, and overall improving student achievement.

Lelon has made tremendous improvements academically. In middle school, he had a 0.5 GPA and now has a 3.5 GPA. “I told myself in middle school when I get to high school, I will focus more in class to be able to play sports,” said Lelon.

In addition,  Lelon expressed that he wants to succeed for himself and to make his family proud. When I spoke with his mother, she was extremely proud of him.

When asked what tools you need to be successful in high school, Lelon responded, “good friends. Groups of friends that care about school and are able to help when you are in class because, in middle school, I didn’t always have friends that were focused in school.” He advises incoming high school students to “take high school seriously, focus in class, and do your work to make sure you receive your credits.”

Some of Lelon’s favorite things about high school are playing sports and hanging out with friends. His favorite class is English with Mr. Linville because “he’s a good teacher and supportive of all the kids.” He is looking forward to sophomore year to have different classes, learn new things, and be halfway done with high school.

Lelon expressed that his future goal is to play professional basketball, but if that doesn’t work out, he wants to do something in the technology field.

Lelon’s favorite basketball players are Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant (KD). He mentioned that they both inspire him. “Kobe was a smart kid in high school, and even if he would’ve stopped playing, he would’ve still had something he could do as far as a good job,” Lelon said. He admires Kevin Durant because he wore the number 7 in honor of his coach, that passed away when he was a kid.

Lastly, Lelon said his family & friends inspire him to achieve his goals.

"The most important thing is to try to inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do." - Kobe Bryant (Rest In Peace)

 

Congratulations to Lelon Neely on improving his academic performance and being an inspiration to all of us. Keep up the great work. You can achieve anything you set your mind to with effort and dedication.