Skip To Main Content

MVHS senior recognized for hard work in academics, leadership, and community service

MVHS senior recognized for hard work in academics, leadership, and community service

Kamora Alston is a celebrated Mount Vernon High School senior whose hard work in academics and presence on campus has awarded her praise in her school community. 

Kamora is in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, where she and her classmates take a full schedule of rigorous classes and complete exams and projects to earn college credit. Kamora is currently working on her creativity, activity and service project for IB, where she is making a podcast to highlight winter sports at MVHS.

Kamora has a grade point average of 96 and has been named on the MVHS honor roll. She has also been given a HER (Helping Everyone Rise) Award by the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Safe Place For Girls program for her academic achievements, leadership, and community service in and out of school. 

Kamora is the current manager for the girls’ varsity basketball team, which she dubs as a second family to her. She became the manager during the last school year, and although she didn’t know much about basketball at first, she was determined to learn the game to help out her friends on the team. Through being a manager, she learned discipline, patience and drive. 

“It's a team sport,” said Kamora.  “You can't only think for yourself but for the people around you because we are all trying to achieve one goal.”

Kamora is also a member of Destination College, an organization that helps student-athletes get in touch with colleges and scholarships as well as helping with the Common Application. 

She is also a member of the Ready4LIFE afterschool program and is an ambassador for the program. This Mount Vernon-based organization helps students learn and be prepared for real-world relationships and interactions. As an ambassador, Kamora has volunteered at City Fest, where she managed kid’s activities. 

Kamora wants to become a physical trainer and work in sports therapy. She plans on studying Exercise Science at Stony Brook University. Kamora has also been accepted into Binghamton University, SUNY Oneonta, Adelphi University, SUNY Cortland, SUNY College at Brockport, Mercy University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College. 

Due to her generous nature and ability to give good advice to her friends, as well as her experience as manager of the girls’ basketball team, Kamora knows she will one day make an excellent physical therapist. 

Kamora is looking forward to college with much excitement. She is looking forward to settling into the new space, taking new classes, and seeing all that her IB courses at MVHS has prepared her for. 

Three women lined up for photo

Four retiring Mount Vernon City School District principals were honored Monday evening during a special recognition ceremony at City Hall celebrating their years of dedication, leadership and service to students and their families. Hosted by City Councilmember Cynthia Turnquest-Jones, the event recognized Rebecca Jones of Lincoln School, Danielle Davis-Marrow of Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School, Dr. Natasha Hunter-McGregor of Graham School and Carol Quinones-Dixon of Traphagen School.

Graphic for budget information message from Superintendent Dr. Strickland.

The 2026-27 Mount Vernon City School District budget will be decided on by Mount Vernon voters on Tuesday, May 19. Check out this video message from Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland, explaining just how important it is to come out to vote. Visit our website, where you can find the budget book with detailed spending information, to learn more about the budget! You can also find your polling place and other important voting information on the budget page of our site. You can read more about the expenses in the budget by reviewing the budget book (tinyurl.com/mrysvt9k) and the budget newsletter (tinyurl.com/yphzefp8), which provide a comprehensive overview of the spending plan.

Mother and daughter painting flowerpots together.

Mother’s Day was in full bloom at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, as mothers and motherly figures gathered to celebrate the joyous day with loved ones. Families had the opportunity to participate in a flowerpot painting activity and planted flowers to take home.

Graphic for budget information for career and technical education.

The Mount Vernon City School District is committed to delivering rigorous, robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, with multiple career pathways available for students after graduation. The 2026-27 budget ensures that students have a breadth of opportunities to get a head start on their professional journeys in eight state-approved CTE graduation pathways. 

Mount Vernon's Jewel Box

The Mount Vernon City School District’s 2026-27 budget returns Gifted & Talented and enrichment opportunities to scholars, which were highlighted as a priority by the Mount Vernon community. These programs help reinforce students’ learning, provide them with tools to succeed academically, and prepare them to reach their postsecondary goals.

You can learn more about programs funded in the Mount Vernon City School District’s budget by clicking here to view the budget book and clicking here to view the budget newsletter, which provide a comprehensive overview of the 2026-27 budget. The budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. 

2026-2027 budget Vote & School Board Election  Tuesday May 19, 2026  7:00 am  to 9:00 PM Small Investment. Lifelong Return! Investing in Our Facilities

The 2026-2027 Mount Vernon City School District budget begins to address the over $400 million in facility repairs identified in the most recent building condition survey. Facilities spending will increase by 5.8%, with the department working to ensure safety and security, support flexibility, promote effective classroom design, maximize resource efficiency, and sustain long-range planning. 

You can read more about facilities expenses by reviewing the budget book and budget newsletter, which provide a comprehensive overview of the 2026-27 budget. The budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

Green bars representing student enrollment numbers for each school year from 2018 to 2026 are displayed against a white background, with the Mount Vernon City School District logo and the title "STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES" in the foreground.

The 2026-27 Mount Vernon City School District budget includes a 25% increase in special education spending for a total of approximately $40 million. Twenty-one percent of students in the District have disabilities, and 10 percent are English language learners – who also require additional services.

You can read more about the special education spending by reviewing the budget book and budget newsletter, which provide a comprehensive overview of the 2026-27 budget. The budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

MVCSD Staff Totals Chart

The Mount Vernon City School District is working to align staffing numbers with declining enrollment trends, and staffing has decreased from a high of 1,984 staff members in 2018-19 to 1,522 in 2025-26. District administrators will continue to look for efficiencies to ensure staffing levels are in accordance with student needs. 

You can read more about the budget by reviewing the budget book and budget newsletter, which provide a comprehensive overview of the spending plan. The budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.