
Here's something to smile about: In Oakland, Calif., 23 black boys scored perfect scores on last year's state reading or math tests. Of the 23 whiz kids, 8-year-old Amir Ealy (pictured) is profiled by the Oakland Tribune.
In the video, adorable Amir is described as a well-rounded, dedicated student who never misses school. His doting father seems amazed by his son's accomplishment and is supportive:
"I hope for him to continue to get good grades and go to college and do whatever it is he wants to do: stunt man, police officer, army, whatever he wants to do I'm for it."
Indeed.
Sobrante Park Elementary Principal Marco Franco attributes Amir's success to his family:
"Amir is just an all-around kid. Like I said, it starts with him and his family, so he comes to us ready and is always prepared in class."
Park Elementary has a wise principal.
For most successful children, a high level of support, consistency and love can be found in their homes, propelling them in to greatness.
But the community has a part to play too.
In the video, Principal Franco celebrates Amir's success by bringing him in front of his peers in the school auditorium -- a smart move. If the standard is publicly set and the bar is continually raised, more and more students will be encouraged to realize success for themselves.
Many blessings to you, Amir. I know this is just the beginning. May you grow up and change the world.
Watch Amir and his support system here:


Comments: (38)
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By: Cassandra on 4/14/2011 3:55PM
Oh yea, congrats to the young men and their familis.I am sure God has a lot 2 do with his accomplisments because when your on path who can be against you when he got you young man. Keep the faith and continue 2 watch the world and know you are headed 4 somthing far more priceless then this education their forcing down our throats.Continue 2 keep up with the system so you don't get left behind. Hats off 2 you all.In Gods world everything their expecting of you in this world want mean a thing if you don't have a clean heart and clean hands. Keep up the good work. I did. Got a book I am writing from the spirit in me and even with all the education I got 4 myself. I Christ in all my travels. realized they either wanted me 2 be more like them and less like me. So I chose 2 be more like, Jesus
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By: JCCIV on 4/14/2011 7:56PM
I am both a white boy and a perfect scorer (albeit on a different test SAT in highschool) and I want to congratulate the young men who did so well, the school which produced such results and the community that rightfully honored outstanding academic performance.
Regardless of race, this is an impressive accomplishment - keep it up!
I don't usually comment but I thought a white reader saying something positive will speak to the fact that in all communities there is brilliance (23 perfect scores!) and decency and, unfortunately ignorance (see the racist posts).
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By: Ebony on 4/15/2011 12:47AM
To all the racists making comments out there. It's people like you who makes this world a bad place. A group of black kids who happen to score perfect on their exams are cheaters, WOW!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!! You can't stand the fact that a group of people (other than white people) can excel just as well if not better than you. If these children were white, they would not be questioned. Here we are in 2011 and the same ignorance still exists! I guess racism will stop when man exist no more huh? Is this what it will take for it all to stop? All of you racists out there really need to wake up and get over it!
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By: Queen on 4/15/2011 10:35AM
Nice to hear something great for once! Keep up the good work boys.
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By: AJ on 4/15/2011 4:04PM
As a 30 yo white man, I am ashamed of the responses by Craig and Bill.
You are both mental minutes, narrow minded fools per say.
Furthermore, I guarantee you both are white trash who only talk smack
to a computer screen because you were born with little, you know... or
maybe your mad because your daughter brought home a chocolate man at
Xmas. I can't wait until your good for nothing generation dies off.
Also, learn how to spell your racial slurs. It is negros, not
negroes... who even says that word anymore. Oh yeah, poor old
illiterate white trash like you.
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By: bob on 4/16/2011 8:10AM
It is refreshing to see positive articles on Black voices. No race baiting, no more kerstin or Boyce watkins makes for a positive site.
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By: Vanessa on 4/16/2011 6:40PM
I concur with the Watkins statement. Where is that race-baiting pseudo-intellectual hiding, anyway?
Dodging the tax collector?
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By: Deborah Cox on 4/20/2011 5:49PM
Wonderful story. The kids and their families should be so proud. And, of course, this will never be seen on "mainstream" news. Thanks to the principal who publicly praised the kids to show other kids that it's not just the sports stars that are important.
One qualm, however: the father of the young man featured says his son can be anything he wants - policeman, army??? Nothing wrong with these jobs, I guess (actually that's another discussion), but why not shoot higher? How 'bout doctor, professor, (honorable) politician, scientist? I'm certain we can think of others. Set the bar high, expect more, these kids will respond. (BTW, I'm an old white chick -- and I think these things are true for ALL kids.)
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