Student of the Year Sherwin Williams receives one of many scholarship awards at Senior Honors Night on Wednesday, June 14, 2016.

Senior Honors Night at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School held on June 14 at the Kean Cafe served as a time to lavish graduating seniors with accolades and monetary gifts as they prepared to transition into the world of the high school graduate.

A host of individuals, as well as community groups and organizations were on hand at the special event held annually to announce awards and scholarships they or their organizations had committed to students of the graduating class. In the end, the Class of 2016 received approximately $4.1 million in scholarships and grants.

Jessica Henderson, '91, offered inspirational words to the young people and shared her journey through life and career. She informed the students that they each have a purpose and challenged them to pursue it.

Sherwin Williams was named Student of the Year and received a special $500 award for the designition. The prolific saxophonist, who was an advanced member of the VI Youth Ensemble, will attend UVI on a full academic scholarship in the fall. He was praised by the IEKHS administration for both his musical prowess and his acumen as a student leader. Sherwin also shared the first Principal's Award with Edwin Cedeno, both of whom were awarded a $200 gift.

But, the most anticipated part of the evening came with the announcement of the class valedictorian, Micaiah A. Bully and class salutatorian, Sherkquan A. Henry. Both names were announced to the thunderous applause of their classmates and audience members.

IEKHS held its 43rd Commencement Exercise on June 18 in the school's gymnasium where 187 seniors received high school diplomas.