The following story was written by a Watts Community Youth Journalist as a part of the EveryDay Heroes Leadership Camp project that focused on community media. 

Markham first opened its doors on July 1, 1937 and since then has made so many changes and programs in efforts to uplift students. 

Currently they have a magnet class, an art class and a book club called Project Lit.

After 50 years with no cheer team Markham Middle School not only formed a team in 2020 but they won second place in a Journey division competition. 

On the first day of school, the teachers and staff make the students feel so comfortable, the principal and assistant principals cheer the students on with pom poms and loud cheers.

What I personally love about attending Markham is the programs including cheer where I can express myself through dance and cheer at competitions with my cheer mates and a leadership program where I get to be a mentor to sixth-grade students.

The best part about Markham for me is the girl’s rock program. 

This program is designed to help girls love themselves, communicate, dance, rap, act and so much more. 

The woman who teaches the program is Aurianna Angelica. She is one of the coolest, down-to-earth, sweetest, and humble women I’ve ever met. 

Angelica isn’t only the program director, she’s a mentor outside of the program as well who checks on the girls, invites us to other programs, she even picks us up in her free time in order to get us to and from whatever event we are attending that particular day. 

The activities and opportunities afforded at Markham are endless and should be utilized and taken advantage of. Many students have expressed how much they love Markham because of the teachers and staff.