Congratulations to this year's Tulip Queen, Syaira Liverpool, who is both an Albany High alum and a first-year faculty member at Albany High!
"It has been so surreal, inspirational and full circle for me," Liverpool shared. "I literally was just walking these hallways, and now I am back on the other side of it as a teaching assistant and giving back to students in the way that the staff here gave to me."
Liverpool graduated from Albany High in 2021 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Howard University with a minor in community development. Upon returning home to Albany, she was thrilled to join her alma mater as a teaching assistant in the special education department.
Passionate about youth development, Liverpool has blossomed in her role at Albany High. Beyond the classroom, she serves as a mentor for students involved in My Sister's Keeper, assists with the unified basketball team and also helps guide our students who organize and stock the Falcon Market.
While continuing in her role at Albany High, Liverpool will begin her graduate studies in school counseling this fall at Russell Sage College in Albany with the goal of becoming a college and career readiness counselor. Her positive experiences at Albany High as a student inspired her to dedicate her life to guiding young people as they navigate important decisions related to their post-secondary education.
During Liverpool's time as a student at Albany High, College and Career Readiness Counselor Jennifer Quinn was an incredible source of support. As Liverpool navigated the college application process, Quinn consistently reminded her of her gifts, talents and potential, which gave Liverpool the confidence to apply to a college as prestigious as Howard University. Four years later, she crossed the stage at Howard University with a degree in hand as a first-generation college graduate in her family.
As the 2026 Tulip Queen, Liverpool looks forward to promoting literacy for children and families here in Albany and volunteering her time to bring stronger connections within our community. We know that she will carry out her service with the same excellence and enthusiasm she brings to our hallways each day at Albany High!