St. Hope Band 3
Expanding our Worldview
President's Message - 7.20.23
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! For me the recent Independence Day celebrations – both Juneteenth and the 4th of July – were fun-filled days spent enjoying time with family, friends, and our larger community. Not only were they full of good food and friendship, they were important occasions to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities we often take for granted. Whether due to limited access or inequitable policies, too many people in America and throughout the world face barriers to success.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Takarra Johnson, Class of 2015
As a poet, spoken word artist, hip-hop MC and Sacramento Area Youth Speaks alumni, Takarra Johnson uses the power of her voice through poetry and music to empower others and help advance social and racial justice. Takarra was very involved when she was at Sac High, serving as student body president, MISSES Step Team captain, Mock Trial member, YoungLife, and Linked Crew leader.
3rd Annual Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Our Juneteenth Block Party @ 40 Acres event on Saturday, June 17 from 4pm-9pm will celebrate African American culture through art, music, dance, food, and other festivities. Come join the greater Sacramento community for this FREE event that offers activities for adults and kids of all ages. The event will be hosted by Comedian Dru Burks and DJ Supe and residents are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to enjoy the full lineup of music, art and entertainment taking place on the main stage.
A Juneteenth Celebration
President's Message
Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” is an important national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 since 1865 and in 2021, “Juneteenth” became the 11th holiday recognized by the federal government.
Sac High Student To Intern At UC Davis Med School
June 1, 2023
Ja’Lyn Wright always has been a mental health advocate. The 17-year-old high school senior listens to music, dances, and occasionally journals.
And this summer, he will be one step closer to his dream of becoming a licensed psychiatrist.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Anaiyah Cabrellis, Class of 2019
One thing that Anaiyah Cabrellis remembers about her time at PS7 and Sac High was how strong the college-going culture was. She appreciated that St. HOPE Public Schools took scholars on college tours so they could learn about different majors and areas of study and enjoyed hearing from alumni each year about their college experience. Anaiyah also noted that having a good college counselor in high school was crucial, since she is a first-generation college student and this was a new journey for her family to navigate.
Sac High Partners With UC Davis to Provide Hands on Biomedical Education and Internships
Sac High is excited to be partnering with the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine for the second year to bring hands-on learning, exposure to science, and lab research opportunities to our high school students. The program included a series of lectures given onsite at Sac High and afterwards scholars were offered an opportunity to apply for a 7-week paid summer research internship. Through a competitive evaluation four scholars were selected for the internship.
Join Us for the Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres
We are excited to partner with the University of the Pacific to present the 3rd annual Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres on Saturday, June 17 from 4pm-9pm. Join us for FREE activities for the entire family.
Bring your own lawn chair to enjoy the full lineup of music, art and entertainment taking place on the main stage, or walk around to support local black owned street and food vendors, and take your kids to the designated kids zone for fun interactive activities!
99% of Sac High Seniors Accepted to 4-Year Colleges
President's Message
Graduation season is upon us and I’m proud to report that 99% of Sac High seniors were accepted into four-year colleges in 2023 including all nine University of California campuses and 20 out of 23 California State University campuses. This is an achievement worth celebrating! We will be congratulating our Sac High seniors as they walk across the stage at their graduation on June 3. I know they have a bright future and I can’t wait to see them succeed in college next year.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Delanie Hamilton William, Class of 2014
Delanie Hamilton William started at PS7 in the 6th grade and continued on to graduate from Sac High in 2014. She said St. HOPE Public Schools felt like family and because there was a genuine desire to see all students succeed. She thanks her mom for enrolling her in St. HOPE Public Schools which was an integral part of her becoming the first person in her extended family to graduate from college.
Please Support St. HOPE on the Big Day of Giving
We hope that you will consider supporting St. HOPE on the Big Day of Giving – early giving is open now through Thursday, May 4. For over 30 years, we have been working to bring cultural events, community development, and high quality education to Oak Park.
Through purposeful investment we have increased access and exposure for our scholars, Oak Park families, and residents throughout the region. While we have made great strides there is always more work to do. With your help and support on the BDOG we can expand the work we are doing and touch even more lives!
St. HOPE Seniors Accepted to Nearly 500 Colleges
When scholars enroll at St. HOPE Public Schools they are immersed in a college-going culture from day one. We are thrilled to announce that our Sac High seniors have been accepted to 490 colleges so far! Some of our scholars have already committed to colleges including UCLA, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, Sac State, Tennessee State University, and Hawaii Pacific University. We can’t wait to hear where all of our scholars are going when they make their announcement at Signing Day on May 11.
40 Acres: Celebrating 20 Years of Arts and Culture in the Heart of Oak Park
We hope that you can join us on Saturday, May 6 for a day of family fun at the 40 Acres Street Fest. The festivities will take place from 11am – 4pm at Esther’s Park to celebrate the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Center’s 20 year anniversary. The event includes community vendors and resources with giveaways, electric car test drives, kids activities, and free food!
Celebrating a Milestone
President's Message - 4.25.23
As we head outside to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, I am reminded how wonderful the city of trees is and all that Sacramento – especially Oak Park – has to offer. The 40 Acres complex which has been a cultural gathering place for two decades is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. For 20 years, this landmark has served as a place where families come to enjoy a meal and socialize and be immersed in culture and entertainment.
Sac High Seniors Accepted to 130+ Universities
College admissions are coming in and we are very proud to report that our Sac High seniors have already been accepted to over 130 universities! These include several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as Alabama A&M University, Delaware State University, and Claflin University as well as top schools in California including Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly Humboldt, and UC Riverside. Now the hard part begins – deciding where to go!
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: AnZhane Burrell, Class of 2012
AnZhane Burrell was very involved when she attended Sac High playing volleyball and participating in student government, including being Senior Class President. On top of that she had excellent grades and made the Dean’s List. Throughout her time at Sac High, AnZhane said there was a standard of excellence that was expected of all students.
Mother Rose, Longtime Manager of Underground Books, is a Pillar of Oak Park
Step inside Underground Books, the “literary hub of Oak Park” and you’ll likely meet its manager, Georgia West, better known as Mother Rose. The nickname, bestowed by her son, former Mayor Kevin Johnson, explains her role in the community. She grew up in Oak Park, attended Sac High, and saw the neighborhood’s only library close in the 1970s. After graduating from Sacramento City College’s nursing program, she worked as a registered nurse for 26 years.