Rai Benjamin wins gold medal in Paris Olympics
![Rai Benjamin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723233754/mtvernoncsdorg/vw7bwuxopermteqfprfk/RaiBenjamin.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723233754/mtvernoncsdorg/vw7bwuxopermteqfprfk/RaiBenjamin.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1723233754/mtvernoncsdorg/vw7bwuxopermteqfprfk/RaiBenjamin.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1723233754/mtvernoncsdorg/vw7bwuxopermteqfprfk/RaiBenjamin.jpg","width":1000}])
Rai Benjamin wins gold medal in Paris Olympics
Mount Vernon native Rai Benjamin has won the Olympic gold medal in the 400 meter hurdles! Benjamin was victorious with a time of 46.460 seconds. Congratulations Rai!
“Three years he’s been waiting for redemption; Rai Benjamin is finally an Olympic champion! He’s done it!” said NBC Announcer Leigh Diffey as Benjamin crossed the finish line.
![Director of preschool explaining drawing.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752270274/mtvernoncsdorg/clnfksb8procb2apcixn/lotterydrawing-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752270274/mtvernoncsdorg/clnfksb8procb2apcixn/lotterydrawing-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1752270274/mtvernoncsdorg/clnfksb8procb2apcixn/lotterydrawing-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1752270274/mtvernoncsdorg/clnfksb8procb2apcixn/lotterydrawing-2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1752270274/mtvernoncsdorg/clnfksb8procb2apcixn/lotterydrawing-2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1752270274/mtvernoncsdorg/clnfksb8procb2apcixn/lotterydrawing-2.jpg","width":2200}])
The Universal Prekindergarten lottery for three-year-olds (UPK-3) was held on Friday morning at the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education office for the upcoming 2025 - 2026 school year. This is the fifth year the District has offered UPK-3 and 30 spots were available.
![Dr. Demario Strickland]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":2200}])
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Demario Strickland was named June 26 as the inaugural recipient of Canisius University Alumni Association’s Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes accomplishments of alumni 40 years and younger.
![MVCSD Summer Reading 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":940}])
![Superintendent at BOE meeting]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":2200}])
At the most recent Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night, Dr. Demario A. Strickland was officially sworn in as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Three new board trustees joined the Board of Education as well as a new student trustee.
![Dr.DemarioStricklandSuperintendent]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":2200}])
Greetings Mount Vernon,
Thank you for entrusting your children’s education to me as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Over the past few weeks, I have spent time getting to know the community of Mount Vernon, and I am impressed with the pride that fills the city. I am looking forward to making sure that residents are filled with that same pride for the schools that their children attend. I am excited to step in and get right to the important work of improving our District and achieving our shared vision of success.
![Inductees during hall of fame ceremony.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":2200}])
The Mount Vernon City School District inducted former State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thomspon, Congressman George Latimer and the late Elise Finch-Henriques into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame Saturday morning. Families, loved ones, administrators, educators, colleagues and community members gathered at Mount Vernon High School to celebrate this prestigious induction.
![One Mount Vernon Thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":1400}])
![Photo left to right: Dr. Smith, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, Trustee Adriane Saunders, In-House Counsel Royce Russell, Trustee Helene Thompson Njenga]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":2200}])
Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent:
As their terms as trustees of the Mount Vernon City School District come to an end, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Trustee Adriane Saunders, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, and Trustee Helene Thompson-Njenga for all they have done for our District during their time in office. They served as champions for education, always making decisions to better serve the children of Mount Vernon. Our District will wear the mark of the work they have done for years to come, and I am so appreciative of everything we were able to accomplish together for our scholars.