Tuesday, May 13, 2025

PAAASE Celebrates 21st Annual Rites Of Passage For African American High School Graduates

[Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified]

Community organizations award over $32,000 in scholarships to Pasadena Unified seniors

The Pasadena Alliance of African American School Educators (PAAASE) held its 21st Annual Rites of Passage Ceremony on Sunday, May 4 honoring African American 12th-grade students from across the Pasadena Unified School District. The celebration recognized students’ academic achievements while connecting them to cultural traditions and community elders through the symbolic presentation of kente cloths.

This tradition has become meaningful for the Pasadena community, serving as a bridge between generations.

“The Kente Stole presentation, a highlight of the ceremony, is described as a ‘passing of the torch’ and acknowledges the support of family, friends, and ancestors in the graduates’ achievements,” notes a Rutgers University description of a similar program.

Kente cloth is a handwoven textile originating from Ghana, made from silk and cotton threads woven into narrow strips, which are then sewn together to create larger cloths. Traditionally, kente cloth was reserved for royalty and worn during important ceremonies and special occasions.

Despite gray weather, the event continued with students’ celebration unaffected, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with students having arrived by 3:00 p.m. for preparation.

This year’s ceremony featured partnerships with the Leola & Thomas Kennedy Family, NRBC Loss To Legacy, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to provide scholarships totaling more than $32,000 to the graduates.

Twenty-six students from six different schools within the District received recognition during the ceremony. Pasadena High School honored De’Mille Brown, Willow Johnson, Mixine Scott, Ike Mitchell, Alana Crenshaw, London Gray, and Maxine Scott. John Muir High School recognized Donovan Williams, Noni Johnson, Taylor Williams, Anneliese Airitam, Heavyn Harmon, Aniah Catier, Maya Bailey, Richard Riddle, Jamel Franco, Andrew Glover, Jaelle Walkins, and Keyon Mills. Marshall Secondary celebrated Corazon Adomon, Mauricio Moreno-Jones, and Tehilah Ofumbi. Blair High School honored Jordin Breaux and McKenzie Andrews, while Rose City High School recognized Lukeus Scott and CIS honored Kayla Winston.

Four elders from the Pasadena and Altadena communities were also recognized for their accomplishments, though their names were not specified in the source material.

The PAAASE Scholarship program specifically “recognizes and awards African American students from each high school in PUSD,” according to the Pasadena Educational Foundation. The ceremony created what one source described as “a powerful sense of support and celebration for the graduates” by bringing together families, educators, and community partners.