RCSD honors next generation of Black scholar students

Young leaders share what it means to them in today's world

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Rochester City School District celebrated the academic, community, and leadership accomplishments of the next generation of Black scholars and leaders. Several students, including Arthur Williams, Ni-yana Ortiz-Billins, and Elijah Espada, were honored at a ceremony held at the district office and shared their perspectives on the importance of building strong children.

Why it matters

The event highlights the district's efforts to uplift and empower the next generation of Black leaders, providing them with recognition and opportunities to share their experiences and aspirations. As the students noted, there have been historical challenges and prejudices that have made it difficult for young Black people to access certain pathways, making this type of celebration and support all the more meaningful.

The details

The ceremony took place at the Rochester City School District office, where students were honored for their achievements. Arthur Williams, a senior from Edison Tech High School, read a quote commonly attributed to Frederick Douglass about the importance of building strong children. Ni-yana Ortiz-Billins, also from Edison Tech, echoed this sentiment, saying 'You can't teach old dog new tricks, so it's really easier to build stronger children.' Elijah Espada, the Board of Education Student Representative, shared how his own experiences of being 'shut out' and facing prejudice motivated him to become a young Black leader.

  • The ceremony was held on February 12, 2026.

The players

Arthur Williams

A senior from Edison Tech High School who was honored at the ceremony.

Ni-yana Ortiz-Billins

A student from Edison Tech High School who was honored at the ceremony.

Elijah Espada

The Board of Education Student Representative who shared his thoughts on being a young Black leader.

Rochester City School District

The school district that hosted the ceremony honoring the next generation of Black scholar students.

Frederick Douglass

A prominent African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman whose quote about building strong children was referenced at the ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“It's easier to build strong children than repair broken men.”

— Frederick Douglass

“You can't teach old dog new tricks, so it's really easier to build stronger children. And a sense of raising them better than generations before us and stuff like that.”

— Ni-yana Ortiz-Billins, Student, Edison Tech High School (News10NBC)

“There wasn't a lot of opportunities that were given to us, and there was a lot of prejudice and a lot of opportunities that got shut down for us because, you know, the way that we are, and it motivated me to become the person who I am today, you know, that that experience, you know, being shut out, you know, being, you know, like what? What comes next?”

— Elijah Espada, Board of Education Student Representative (News10NBC)

What’s next

The students honored at the ceremony are all heading off to college later this year, with Arthur Williams going to Alfred State and Ni-yana Ortiz-Billins and Elijah Espada having long-term dreams of attending law school.

The takeaway

This event highlights the Rochester City School District's commitment to uplifting and empowering the next generation of Black leaders, providing them with recognition and a platform to share their experiences and aspirations. The students' reflections on the importance of building strong children and overcoming historical challenges underscore the significance of this type of support and celebration for young Black scholars.