Verona Portis

Verona Portis

Occupation: Principal, Benjamin Banneker ElementaryWhy does she stand out?

For Portis, educating and uplifting children has been a lifelong passion.

She recently chartered a chapter of the National Junior Beta Club at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School in Englewood.

Betas mission is, To promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students.

Portis said organizations such as Beta are necessary for African American children.

I believe the National Junior Beta Club is inspiring to our students because it gives some form of accomplishment, she said.

Bannekers Beta Chapter recently completed its first community service project. Student members donated food items to a local shelter.

Englewood is often vilified in mainstream media for criminal activity; however, Portis tells her students they can rise above adverse stereotypes.

She originally wanted to become a lawyer but had an innate drive to become an educator.

I wanted to become an educator because I felt I could make a change in a students life, said Portis.

by Thelma Sardin

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