New Haven Independent

Potter was one of 18 seniors (applauded by their admiring family members) from Hill Regional Career High School - including Tarena Gadsden and Jolis Givan kneeling in the front row) — who received certificates of recognition from the board for their work. They wrote and produced a sophisticated power point presentation, complete with inspirational music, organized around mini-biographies of famous black Americans.

The subjects included those both living like actor Jamie Fox, those gone, like actor and activist Paul Robeson - his award of the Stalin Peace Prize in the 1930s might have been an eye-opener for the researcher - and even the unburied.

James Brown, also featured in the power point, is one of Marilyn Wilson’s favorite performers. “I’m an incredible fan,” she said. She’s Career’s library media specialist. It was her dedication in working with the 18 seniors, all on different schedules, all researching different figures and all wanting to program unique music to accompany their power point segments, which has resulted in the exceptional final product.

The presentation, a portion of which was shown to the board, will be broadcast in the days ahead on CTV.

Did the experience change Darrick Potter’s direction in life? “Not really,” he said, “although I really enjoyed it. It was an elective, and I really did learn a lot about technology, though, and a lot about Jesse Owens, who was my subject. Still, I’m going to study health sciences when I graduate, either at the University of Connecticut, Howard, or Temple.” His grandparents nodded, as they listened, with evident approval, and great pride.