At York College the valedictorian is really Best

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 8:50 PM EDT

Typically, colleges confer the title of valedictorian on their best graduating student. This year, of their 806 graduates, York College in Jamaica chose their aptly-named Thurgood Marshall Scholar, Arlene K. Best.

The ceremony was held on Friday, May 30 under a blazing sun and blue skies, reminiscent of Best’s native island of Trinidad.

Under a capacious white tent, the excited grads, ranging in age from 20 to 60 and born in 59 different countries, heard encouraging words from notables such as Congressmembers Gregory Meeks and Anthony Weiner, as well as Borough President Helen Marshall.

Despite an obvious desire to get away for the weekend, and the presence of the occasional squirming child on a grad’s lap, the audience listened intently, and cheered every reference to their alma mater as well as every promise of brevity.

Marshall praised the class of ’08 as young enough to be, “my children and my grandchildren.” Explaining she was the first in her family to attend college, how she had to delay her education for financial reasons and how her children and grandchildren followed her into higher education, Marshall told the audience, “You made it and now your children and grandchildren can build on it.”

She told them pointedly, “You aren’t the future any more. You’re graduates - you are the here and now.”

Best, who grew up in a “financially challenged household,” said, “I would not allow poverty to define who I am.” After graduating high school there, the honors student emigrated to New York, and enrolled at York College.

She had high praise for her mentor and director of the Honors Program, Professor William Ashton. “I had such great professors,” Best said. “I appreciate the way they made me feel - that feeling of transcendence and accomplishment when they challenged my mind.”

There was high praise for her too. “We’re very proud of her,” said Father Darryl James, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica, who delivered the benediction. “We are inviting her to Graduates Sunday, at the end of June.”

Best had two reasons to celebrate that day. She was celebrating her 25th birthday while receiving a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Psychology. Although she’s determined to continue her graduate studies, she’ll work for a year to “gain experience.”

“I’ll be starting at R.R. Donnelley, a financial publishing house soon,” she said. “Everyone advised me to get a taste of the workplace, so I’m going to do that.”

QUEENS COURIER/PHOTOS BY VICTOR G. MIMONI
Father Darryl James (left) of Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica said he was “very proud” of valedictorian Arlene K. Best (right) who will speak at the church on their “Graduates Sunday” at the end of June.