The 46th commencement ceremony for students of the Thomas J. Corcoran High School filled the Civic Center June 23. A new journey is about to begin for Syracuse’s young adults, a chance to take what they have learned and share it with our city.

The Dunbar court is chosen based on essays written by the students at the center, their attitude in class and how they treat others. The winners are then announced at the Gala in May. This year’s Mr. Dunbar, Jyair Crouch, and his mother, Tarea Crouch, along with other 2011 Juneteenth attendees, vendors and volunteers answered The Stand’s Q&As.

Cheryl Dixon-Hills shares her perspective of Juneteenth The sunshine, warm breeze and spirit of the day gave an awesome start to the annual celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth is held annually in Clinton Square and Jubilee Park to recognize the emancipation of slaves in Louisiana and Texas, who were the last American slaves freed.

A parade, music, food & healthcare highlight the 2011 Juneteenth Celebration “In order to move forward into the present, we have to know our past,” said organizer Barbara Mattison. The 2011 Juneteenth celebration almost did not happen because of financial difficulties, but the community and sponsors pulled together to make this year’s Juneteenth a reality.

Coverage of this year’s Juneteenth Festival in Clinton Square held Saturday, June 18, was conducted by a team of The Stand’s Community Correspondents. Reporters included: Ruthnie Angrand, Miguel Balbuena, Katherine Hills, Jeremiah Howell and Brenda Muhammad

With an early summer heat already enveloping Thornden Park, exuberant participants in the annual Winston Gaskin Community Walk for Wellness prepared to begin the honorary walk through one of Syracuse’s most picturesque parks.

City Hall Commons Atrium Building was the setting for the Juneteenth Ancestral Recognition Celebration held Thursday, June 16, as the celebratory opening event for the 2011 Juneteenth African American Cultural Festival.

Syracuse would hire coordinator, develop outreach programs to prevent gang violence Syracuse wants to gang up on gang violence. In April, the Common Council voted to apply for a $750,000 grant from the Justice Department to implement a program that develops anti-gang strategies.

Suits, dresses and boutineers were everywhere, but it wasn’t Prom. Outstanding students from middle school to graduating seniors were honored Saturday, June 11, at Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority’s 42nd annual Youth Achievement Awards Luncheon.

More than 300 college students, representing 46 colleges and universities, will be on the Syracuse University campus Monday, June 13, to train as Summer Enrichment Specialists for the 2011 Say Yes to Education Summer Camp.