Standout senior looks back on memories as captain of DWSA Band
Davion Pryce is a standout senior from Denzel Washington School of the Arts whose artistry and musical talent have dazzled many members of the Mount Vernon Community. As the current captain of the DWSA student-led band, he looks back at his time as both a musician and scholar with pride.
Davion plays the electric bass for the DWSA Band. When his group performs at shows or events, he makes sure everyone is in order and prepared to perform at their best. He offers support to his bandmates and inspires them to bring their A-game to every performance.
Davion has played the electric bass for six years and has performed at many concerts and events. Around October 2023, he played for the PJS Jazz Society concert at First Presbyterian Church, an event where jazz bands get together to share their music. He also participated as a member of the DWSA Gospel Choir in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular concert featuring the Rockettes in December of 2024.
“Without coming to this school, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” said Davion. “ As a musician, I don’t think I would have the accolades I do now without DWSA.”
Davion highlights Participation in Government as his favorite class from his time at DWSA. He enjoys learning about what is going on in the world and in politics.
After graduation, Davion plans to major in engineering in college. For a long time, he has focused on being a musician, but after high school, he looks forward to exploring new and exciting topics while pursuing his degree. So far, he has been accepted into Livingstone College and has applied to North Carolina A&T State University, Quinnipiac University and Rochester Institute of Technology.
After college, he plans to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors by starting his own business. Right now, he is pursuing a career in aerospace or automotive engineering.
“You really get to express yourself on stage and you get to meet a lot of people,” said Davion looking back on the memories he’s made at DWSA.
Davion considers the community he has built with his classmates the best part of attending DWSA. He highlights the insightful conversations he has with his friends about topics that are important to them and how those conversations can branch off into anything. He also looks back on all of his performances and how they've helped him become the performer he is today.
On Thursday, February 13, the Mount Vernon City School District Parent Liaison Team hosted a parent and guardian workshop entitled Chronic Illness, Loss, and the Impact on Your Child. Their guest presenter was Ms. Jennifer Ricca, MS, CCLS, Children, Teens, and Family Manager for the Cancer Support Community Greater NY & CT.
Today, Friday, February 14, 2025, marks the two-year anniversary of Dr. K. Veronica Smith’s first day as Acting Superintendent. Join the Mount Vernon City School District in wishing her a happy anniversary! In these two years, the District has emphasized its commitment to its scholars. Through the Back to Basics, Forward to Mastery approach, where teachers are getting back to the fundamentals of teaching and learning, the District has seen great academic improvements, leading graduation rates and test scores to trend upward.
View the leaderboard for the Career and Technical Education Stock Market Challenge being held in Career and Financial Management classes here!
Bryce Marable is a Mount Vernon STEAM Academy senior who shows perseverance through hard work and dedication to his academics. Experiencing a significant change after transferring from outside of the District to STEAM, Bryce has demonstrated that his education and securing a bright future come before all.
Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith celebrated her birthday (February 9) at The Education Center with staff and administrators of the Mount Vernon City School District. Staff dressed down for the day, enjoyed cake and wished Dr. Smith a happy birthday. Happy Birthday Dr. Smith!
Yanick St. Cyr and Anna Valinda Mendy, Mount Vernon High School 12th-grade Nursing Assistant Program students, volunteered at the Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) SkillsUSA Regional Competition on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Center for Career Services. Yanick and Anna are also in the SkillsUSA Club at MVHS.
The Mount Vernon City School District’s superintendent search survey, conducted by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), has been extended to Monday, February 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., to allow for further engagement with the community. HYA will present their leadership profile report at the Board of Education on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.