Published February 14, 2008 in Shreveport Times
Alexandyr Kent
An actress famous for playing a national spelling bee champ took the stage in a surprise visit Wednesday to inspire students at Bethune Middle Academy.
Keke Palmer, best known for starring in "Akeelah and the Bee," described her character to seventh- and eighth-graders sitting in the school's auditorium.
"She thought she could never amount to anything because of where she came from," the 14-year-old said. In the movie, a teacher and Akeelah's friends and neighbors in South Central Los Angeles helped her master her words and win the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C. "She realized that where she came from was what got her to where she was (going)," Keke said.
She is in northwest Louisiana filming a Dimension Films movie with Ice Cube.
At Bethune Middle, the actress also spoke about the importance of education, friends and mastering her trouble subject: math.
Her visit, arranged by the Women's Philanthopy Network, was timely for the middle school, which has been on the state's academically unacceptable list for five years. State and Caddo School Board officials are deciding whether to put the Shreveport school under state control as part of the Recovery School District.
Principal Perry Daniel was happy to see Palmer in front of his students. "It's an opportunity for our kids to get some positive encouragement. Talking about the importance of education is always good."
Eighth-grader Khrystian Thomas, 14, said she thinks Keke's story is encouraging.
"She's an average person just like me, just famous," said the student of the year. "I want to be famous," but not as an actress. Khrystian aspires to be a chef like Emeril Lagasse or Rachael Ray.
Eighth-grader Shandrekia Morris, 13, is Bethune Middle's spelling bee champ. Hearing from an on-screen counterpart was exciting.
"I like to learn new words and help expand my vocabulary," Shandrekia said. Recent additions are "recommendation," "superficial" and "intelligent."
"She inspires me," Shandrekia said of Keke. "They say women can't do it. But if they put their mind to it, they can do whatever they want to do."
After fielding questions about her movie roles — most students were curious about working with Tyler Perry in "Madea's Family Reunion" — and singing a verse from her recent album, "So Uncool," Keke posed for pictures with fans and signed autographs.
She doesn't readily call herself a role model. "I just try my hardest to tell them what I believe, and I hope it's the right thing."