Skip To Main Content

City of Mount Vernon celebrates Rai Benjamin at Olympics watch party

Rai Benjamin getting ready for race.
City of Mount Vernon celebrates Rai Benjamin at Olympics watch party

City of Mount Vernon residents gathered in the theater at The Doles Center with pride and enthusiasm to cheer on Class of 2015 Mount Vernon High School graduate Rai Benjamin for his semifinals race at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Benjamin won his heat of the 400-meter hurdles with ease and jogged through the finish line.

"I am ecstatic to see Rai compete in another Olympics and wish him the best of luck in the finals on Friday," said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. "It's wonderful to see the community come together and support him in such a big way. I hope Rai knows that the city of Mount Vernon will always be here to support him in all of his endeavors, and that we are immensely proud of all that he has accomplished thus far. Go win gold!"

During the event, spectators from all over Mount Vernon watched as each of the 100 and 400-meter relays played on the big screen. The last heat of the event was Rai’s turn. Benjamin spent the majority of the race at the front of the herd, earning first place and qualifying for the finals on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 3:45 p.m., where he will compete for the gold medal. Watch live on NBC and Peacock TV. 
 

Logo for news post
Community Message: Apalachee High School Tragedy

Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent of Schools: 

Unfortunately, as I am sure you have heard, there has been another devastating and senseless attack in a school in our country. Our hearts go out to the community, families and students of Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia. The Mount Vernon City School District extends its sincerest sympathies to all those who were affected by this violence. 

Dr. Christopher Pearce
Our Students, Now: Dr. Christopher Pearce

Dr. Christopher Pearce, Principal at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, is an alum of the Class of 1989 at Mount Vernon High School, and he has been an educator for the District since 2000. He began as a math teacher, then became a dean of students, an assistant principal, and finally a principal. He is at his second school as principal, having also led the former Benjamin Turner Middle School. He has committed the majority of his career to shaping the lives of students in the school district that he graduated from. 

Mount Vernon City School District kicks off the 2024 - 2025 School Year
Mount Vernon City School District kicks off the 2024 - 2025 School Year

Elementary and middle school students pranced into their school buildings while waving goodbye to their parents on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, for the first day of school. Smiles filled the hallways as students and teachers greeted each other with warm welcomes to kick off the 2024 -2025 school year.

Carlos Ramirez
Director of Technology Carlos Ramirez chosen for College Advisory Council at College of Westchester and SW BOCES

MVCSD Director of Technology Carlos Ramirez was selected this summer to serve on the College of Westchester’s College Advisory Council for the School of Information Technology. 

The College Advisory Council advises the College of Westchester on the workforce demands in the current climate to help guide academic programs and review learning outcomes and objectives. Their goal is to ensure that students are prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.