SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings are in the midst of celebrating and honoring local African American youth at home games played at Golden 1 Center for Black History Month.
To kick the festivities off, the Kings first recognized C.K. McClatchy High School sophomore Glory King, who is a proud lieutenant cadet in the Sacramento Police Department Criminal Justice Academy.
King was presented with the Kings’ Black History Month Dream All Star Award during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn and Sac PD officer Filmore Graham made the presentation.
“It’s just an honor to be here and accept an award that also represents Martin Luther King who did so much for all of us,” King said.
Kings is responsible for coordination community service hours for 30 cadets and she herself had completed over 100 community service hours in two years. She maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of her church’s worship team.
“I was shocked that I would be the one (receiving the award,” King said. “But I’m really thankful. Officer Graham was the one how nominated me for this.”
receive a 2019 Black History All Star Award from the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn, left, attended the presentation.
(OBSERVER photo by Antonio R. Harvey)
The Criminal Justice Academy is a four-year high school program structured as a “school within a school.” The intent of the Academy’s courses is to prepare students for both college and careers.
The Academy is a “paramilitary type” program modeled after the Sacramento Police Department’s Police Academy. The curriculum is law enforcement focused and coordinated with related academic classes.
When King graduates from McClatchy she has her sights on going to college and becoming a forensic scientist.
“It’s a program that helps kids stay on track in school and be able to follow the right path,” King said. “It helps us for the future.”
By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER Staff Writer
OBSERVER video by Russell Stiger Jr.