From whence eagles soar: top Black High School Seniors 2007: voices of the next generation

Passion. Promise. Potential for power. These words only begin to sum up the talented young people who are featured on these pages as Ebony's 2007 Top High School Seniors. While American youth often are criticized for flavoring material possessions rather, than academic accomplishments, these high school seniors represent the numerous African-American youth who are moving in the right direction toward college degrees, pursuit of meaningful careers and making a contribution to their communities and to society in general. They realize that if you get a good education, you can be anything you want to be.

At the top of their classes, many also are excelling outside their classrooms and plan to attend top colleges and universities so they can pursue their passions. These exceptional high school seniors are representative of the wealth of talent and potential that characterize many of today's African American youth.

Brittanie Brown, 18 Dallas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, GPA 3.3 Plans to study at The Juilliard School and pursue a career in dance

"Having the opportunity to receive an education is an honor in itself. Being able to comprehend it is a blessing. Education was not always available to us. Just knowing that I'm privileged enough to be freely given an education is [something] I can appreciate. Having knowledge is far better than having material things."

Antwan D. Little, 18 Baltimore. National Academy Foundation High school, GPA 3.81 Plans to pursue a career as a computer scientist

"I must not be discouraged or taken over by my environment. Instead I should use it to grow and reach my highest potential ... I love to learn because a man with knowledge is a man with power. I know that education is a chance to reach every goal and make all my dreams come true."

Brittnie Lashall Broach, 18 Jackson, Miss. Bailey Magnet High School, GPA 4.15 Plans to pursue a double major in accounting and business administration

"Education is a treasure that I value and pursue in a serious manner. As an African-American female, I am fully aware of the dangers that I will face if I lack a solid and efficient education ... Education is the master key in one's life. Without education, a person has limited access to vast opportunities in life."

Adzua Agyapon, 17 Hershey, Pa. Milton Hershey School, GPA 3.98 Plans to attend Yale University and study ethics, politics and economics

"I value education because it provides a sense of liberation. Knowledge allows people to understand their world, emancipating them from mental obscurity. In the future, I hope to be contributing to the betterment of society by exposing people to the truth through journalism, as well as through participation in community service organizations."

Christopher House, 17 Indianapolis, Arsenal Technical High School, GPA 3.67 Plans to study Spanish and French, and become a translator and interpreter

"The only way that I can accomplish my goals is to have a sound education at the root of my plans. I can only teach myself so much, so school is a definite neccesity to me. I value my education because I know that without it, I wouldn't be able to unleash my full potential in the adult world."

William Ballow, 18 Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, GPA 3.5 Plans to study philosophy

"Value is always relative to a specific end or goal ... Some knowledge has no immediate application, but it helps us better understand ourselves and the world around us. Knowing one's history may not start the car, but it might supply one with a reason to wake up in the morning, or with the initiative needed to realize goals and overcome obstacles."

Brooke Rumper, 17 Richmond, Va. Manchester High School, GPA 4.4 Plans to become a research neurologist and study autism

"I value education above all else. My life would not be complete if I were not able to pursue an education. I am the type of person who, even if denied an education, I would teach myself. In fact, I use my spare time to further research ideas that have been introduced to me in class. Without an education, the world is closed to you. The majority of jobs that pay enough to live require some form of education."

Candice Thompson, 17 Orlando, Fla. William R. Boone High School, GPA 4.0 Plans to become a plastic surgeon and further her studies at Harvard Medical School or Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

"Education should be our top priority in order to further ourselves. I value my education as a mother would her child; all of my actions go toward advancing myself educationally. Education can open many doors in life ... With education, dreams become reality."

Chad J. Kyles, 18 Chicago, Lincoln Park High School, GPA 4.75 Plans to become a surgeon

"I value education because it is the 'distinguisher.' Education distinguishes between those who know and those who do not know. I have learned that education is beyond what you learn in school and books; it is also what you learn from life. I value formal education because I know it is one of the tools I will need to accomplish the goals I have for my life. Beyond what I might learn in books and schools, my informal education has taught me that no matter how much I may distinguish myself, it does not make me better than anyone else."