Historic Achievement: A’myri Phillips Becomes First Black Salutatorian at Dekaney High School

A’myri Phillips, a young African American girl from Texas, has etched her name in history as the first-ever black salutatorian at Dekaney High School in the United States. Graduating as the second-best student in her class, Phillips delivered an impactful speech during the graduation ceremony.

Expressing pride as the first in her family to attend college, Phillips emphasized the obstacles she overcame to reach this milestone. In her speech, she acknowledged the challenges faced by black students, ranging from underestimation and racial discrimination to navigating a system not always designed for their success.

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“I stand before you as a proud African-American woman who will be the first in my family to go to college, who has overcome many obstacles to be standing here today,” said Phillips.

Highlighting the struggles of black students, she addressed issues of underestimation, racial discrimination, and microaggressions. Despite these challenges, Phillips persevered, refusing to be deterred by color discrimination.

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“But through it all, we have persevered, we have shown up, worked hard, and defied expectations designed for our success,” she declared.

In addition to her academic excellence, Phillips is an active member of the Dekaney High School Volleyball team, earning first place in the academic all-district volleyball competition.

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Looking ahead, A’myri Phillips plans to continue her education at the University of Southern California, where she aspires to become a psychologist or a cognitive behavioral therapist.