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Our Students Now: James 'Talent' Harris

Talent Harris headshot picture
Our Students Now: James 'Talent' Harris

Soon after graduation from Mount Vernon High School in 1987, James "Talent" Harris became heavily involved in media, including television, comedy and radio. Talent Harris has headlined his own comedy shows and tours, as well as making special appearances on programs such as BET’s Comic View, HBO’s SNAPs and Def Comedy Jam. He also earned the position as host of New York’s 98.7 KISS FM’s Morning Show.

“Talent Harris has gone on to great success in media following his time in our school district, and he has showcased himself as not only funny, but also as an effective business-oriented individual,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “It is a joy to see how many people he has made laugh in his career. He is also a great role-model to our students and shows that they can succeed in any field if they work hard and apply themselves to get there.”

Talent has also been involved in several other media ventures that include creating and producing podcasts and radio shows, co-hosting the Wake-up Club on 103.9 WDKX/Rochester New York, and on-air contribution for Buffalo’s WUFO FM station.

Name: James Talent Harris
Graduation year: 1987
High school: Mount Vernon High School
Current position: Comedian, actor and radio personality
Q + A:

What are you doing now with your life and career?
I am currently still active in all areas (comedy, acting and radio.) 

How has MVHS/MVCSD prepared you for your career?
Actually, MVHS has prepared me by its diversity early in life, as I would come to tour the world and interact with all walks of life.

Who are some people who inspired or pushed you to be better during your time in the school district?
My counselors, especially Mr. Abatecolla in Division B.

What was your favorite part of attending the Mount Vernon City School District?
My favorite part of attending was our sports opportunities.

What is one thing from your time in the Mount Vernon City School District that stuck with you the most or helped you the most in your career?
Again, the one thing to help most was sports like basketball, as my first film opportunity would be a basketball movie.

What are you most proud of from your school experience?
I am the most proud of the people, many of whom are still in contact with to this day.

What do you know now that you wish you knew during your time in the school district?
I wish I knew I would be in TV or movies because I would have exercised use of the media department more.

What would you tell current students today to help them on their academic and career journey?
I would tell students that every day there counts and matters. I believe our younger selves definitely underestimate this part.

Talent Harris

 

BoE Regular Meeting 4/22
STEAM Academy students visit Montefiore Mount Vernon to participate in disaster drill

Acting can be scientific too; Mount Vernon STEAM Academy students recently participated in a disaster drill at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital, acting as patients and family members. Students in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) classes visited to be a part of the hospital’s annual stress test, serving as patients in an active emergency room. 

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Placements for Student Transfers in Building Reorganization

Students will receive an official notification of which school they will be placed in during the first week of June. These assignments apply only to students who are not in a special placement or program class assignment, such as special education. Those placements will be determined based on their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the Special Education Department. The current placements of students who are transferring can be viewed in this news post.

These placements are subject to change based on student residency.

Students cooking with their parents.
Kids in the Kitchen returns as parents and students learn about nutrition with Feeding Westchester

Prekindergarten students and their parents learned about nutrition and cooked together during the Kids in the Kitchen workshop last Thursday. Through a partnership with Feeding Westchester and with support from the students in the Culinary Arts Program, families received important information about feeding their children a healthy diet and practiced preparing a healthy meal.

Kids in the Kitchen workshops are held throughout the year for pre-K students. If you have not registered your child for pre-K3 or pre-K4 lotteries for next school year, you can find more information about registration on the registration webpage at https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/family-community/registration/online-registration. Pre-K lottery registration closes on June 27.

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Community Message - May 16, 2025

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

As has been recently reported and thereafter confirmed by the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, a former volunteer coach for the District, Dwayne Murray, has been arrested for certain alleged acts of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The organization identified as being affiliated with Mr. Murray in a recent Journal News report, the Junior Knights, is an independent entity from the District. As of this morning, the District has not been made aware that any of our students or former students are in any way connected to this matter. 

 

Overcoming the Odds Awards
Two MVCSD students recognized at Student Advocacy's Overcoming the Odds Awards

Students show resilience by thriving in challenging situations, and two Mount Vernon City School District students were recognized for their academic excellence and accomplishments at Student Advocacy’s Overcoming the Odds Awards. Kwanell Williams, a senior at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, and Prosper Ibeto, a senior at Mount Vernon High School, received about $700 in financial assistance to help start their post-secondary education.