WS Chronicle

Last week Winston/Salem Forsyth County Schools’ Interim Superintendent Ken Simington announced the establishment of the Togo West Prize to be awarded to the valedictorian of Atkins Academic and Technology High School.

Togo West Jr. was a 1959 graduate of the original Atkins High School where he was named valedictorian, the highest ranking student among the graduating class. West went on to attend Howard University and Howard University Law School, where he graduated at the top of his class. After college West went on to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Army and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs during the Clinton Administration. West is only the second African American to ever serve as Secretary of Veteran Affairs. West passed away in March 2018.

Simington said in the aftermath of West’s untimely death, former school board member Vic Johnson and his wife Dr. Constance Johnson, shared news that his widow, Gail West, was interested in making a contribution to the community in honor of her husband. The West Family decided to make the contribution of $100,000 to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce publicly the Togo West Prize,” said Simington during the school board meeting on Tuesday, June 25.

According to Simington, the Togo West Prize will be awarded each year to the valedictorian of Atkins Academic and Technology High School. It is unclear how much will be awarded to each student, but Simington said they elected to let the Winston-Salem Foundation be the administrator for the fund.

“The legacy that Mr. West leaves in this community leaves big footsteps and footprints for those of us who came after, knowing it’s people like Togo West who make opportunities available for people like us,” Simington said.