RJ Smith, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Poughkeepsie Welcomes Class of 2024 Graduates

Jul 3, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Poughkeepsie High School hosted its annual graduation ceremony last Wednesday evening. The ceremony welcomed two-hundred graduates and their family members inside of the high school auditorium. The song “Pomp and Circumstance” served as the ceremony’s opening number, which was performed by the Poughkeepsie High School Combined Orchestra and Band. Following this performance, the American flag was presented by the Poughkeepsie High School AFJROTC.
Read the World Honors Students with Prizes

Jul 3, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Clinton Elementary School hosted the first competition of a new program titled Read the World: “Motivational Reading Program,” which was launched on January 26, 2024. The event was attended by Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, Pastor Michael A. Bell, Jr., Officer Kevin VanWanger and Officer Gary Beahan from the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department. Financial Development Center Manager Jannera Cruz from the Heritage Financial Credit Union was also present.
Kappa’s Host 17th Annual Scholarship Gala Event

Jun 19, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie Grandview welcomed this year’s Scholarship Gala event last Saturday. Held annually, this event is organized through the cooperation of the Beyond the Dream Foundation, Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union. Tim Hopkins is the President and Board Chairman of the Beyond the Dream Foundation. Beyond the Dream Foundation has granted aspiring college students scholarship funds in the local area.
Learn, Play, Create Program Enriches Local Youth

Apr 24, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Students from Poughkeepsie High School spent time playing at Bounce Sports this past Friday afternoon. Learn, Play, Create is a grant that is closely related to the pilot tutoring program conducted at Poughkeepsie High School. Wesley J. Lee is the Founder and CEO of Save At Risk Children for Corporate America, (SARCA), the 501 (c) (3) not for profit that is sponsoring the Pilot Tutoring Program.
Clinton Elementary Hosts 2024 Youth Symposium

Apr 10, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Clinton Elementary School welcomed Sigma Gamma Rho’s Youth Symposium this past Saturday. The event is held annually and is organized by the Theta Sigma Alumnae chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The program was coordinated by Dr. Fatima deCarvalho. Dr. deCarvalho stated that the sorority was founded in 1922 and the symposium is one of their national programs. “It’s about educating young ladies,” Dr. deCarvalho said.
Poughkeepsie Alliance Honors Five at Ceremony

Mar 6, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Poughkeepsie Alliance unveiled the Corey Ingram Circle and Champions Walk this past Thursday morning. Held in the city’s Boys & Girls Club, the ceremony welcomed several honorees nominated in recognition of their outstanding achievements. The ceremony’s introduction was conducted by Mario Johnson, a member of the Poughkeepsie Alliance. “There are many people who helped make this happen,” Johnson said.
Pilot Tutoring Program Launches at High School

Mar 6, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Poughkeepsie High School welcomed the kick-off meeting for its Pilot Tutoring Program last Monday afternoon. The program’s creation was influenced in part through recognition of the City of Poughkeepsie School District’s low graduation rates. Wesley Lee, founder of the not-for-profit organization Save At Risk Children for Corporate America, Inc. (SARCA), is a big proponent of correcting this issue.
Beulah Hosts Black Achievers Award Ceremony

Feb 28, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie’s Beulah Baptist Church hosted its Black Achievers Award Ceremony this Sunday afternoon. It was presented by the Social Action Ministry and honored seven African-American women for their achievements. Among those awarded were Toni Llanos, Nicole “Su” McArthur, Sanaa Omondi, Rendesia Scott, Bettina “Gold” Wilkerson, and Joy Rene` Young.
Nicki Minaj Hits Below the Belt

Jan 28, 2024 | medium.com | RJ Smith

When has “rap beef” gone to far? The lyric “These hoes don’t be mad at Megan these hoes mad at Megan’s law” from Megan Thee Stallion’s latest track “Hiss” sparked a rap beef with Nicki Minaj due to Megan’s reference to Megan’s law, a US federal statute requiring the disclosure of information about registered sex offenders to the public. This was interpreted by many, including Nicki herself, as a personal diss given her husband’s and brother’s status as known sex offenders.
Mayor Yvonne Flowers Makes History

Jan 11, 2024 | hudsonvalleypress.com | RJ Smith

By RJ SmithPOUGHKEEPSIE – Yvonne Flowers took her oath of office this past Tuesday, becoming the first African-American woman to become mayor of Poughkeepsie. The start of Flowers’ journey to become mayor began when she walked across the stage of Poughkeepsie High School in 1984. This is an integral moment she has fondly remembered as part of her journey. “This high school is the start of my journey as an adult,” said Flowers in a presentation played at the ceremony.