Students,
teachers,
staff,
and
community
members
celebrated
the
renaming
of
Unity
Braxton
Middle
School,
formerly
Stonewall
Middle
School,
in
a
ceremony
on
May
10.
Unity
Braxton
Middle
is
in
the
Gainesville
District,
serving
students
in
sixth
through
eighth
grades. The renaming ceremony was delayed due to COVID-19. In June 2020, the Prince William County School Board approved a resolution to rename Stonewall Jackson Middle School to Unity Braxton Middle School. Unity Braxton honors the legacies of Carroll and Celestine Braxton. Carroll Braxton led a rewarding career as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and is a Congressional Gold Medal recipient. Celestine S. Braxton served as an educator with Prince William County Public Schools for 33 years.
Principal Mike Nicely hosted the renaming ceremony in the school's auditorium.
Several dignitaries, including Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, and School Board Chairman At-Large Dr. Babur B. Lateef spoke of their excitement for students and staff under the promise of the new school name.
The Braxtons' daughter, Monique Braxton Fordham Royster, shared her heartfelt thanks with the school community for honoring her family's legacy and her family members from near and far for attending.
View the video below for a look inside this special evening honoring the distinguished Carroll and Celestine Braxton.