Grammy-winning singer and rapper Ronnie DeVoe received the inaugural Portrait of a Learner Award at a ceremony held at Newton North High School on Thursday.

The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the district’s learner qualities of adaptability, communication, critical thinking, empathy and a learner’s mindset. DeVoe, an NNHS alum, recently concluded a national tour with the R&B and pop group New Edition, a highly popular boy band in the 1980s and 1990s that formed in Roxbury.  

The award—shaped like a tree to represent life, roots, growth and Newton Public Schools—was presented by Superintendent Anna Nolin, who said she grew up listening to DeVoe’s music. 

“We swooned and we danced and we bought synthesizers with our allowance to try to recreate these songs at our homes,” she said during her remarks. “I am proud to honor this son of Newton, whose life story represents resilience, excellence, creativity and community leadership.” 

After accepting the award in front of an audience of a few hundred students and several faculty and staff, DeVoe spoke to students about how he came from public housing in Boston’s South End, but was exposed to better opportunities when he had the chance to attend Newton’s school district in elementary school. 

“It’s a place that’s not designed for you to make it out of,” he said, referring to his Boston neighborhood. “But there was hope. There was light at the end of the tunnel, and my grandmother … was the one that always told me ‘it’s darkest before dawn.’”

During his remarks, DeVoe had a few students stand up and share their name and future goals with the room. 

In an interview with the Newton Beacon after the award ceremony, DeVoe said he chose to highlight individual students and their passions because “it’s not about me.”

“It’s about the people that you’re talking to and what they’re going to be able to get out of it,” he said. “People want to be heard and supported and valued, and how do you do that without putting them on blast and letting the world know who they are and what they aspire to be?” 

DeVoe shouted out his old elementary school, Horace Mann, and shared his appreciation for the teachers and resources he had as a Newton student.

“I love that Newton North poured into me what allowed me to be the individual that I am,” he said. “I stand on the foundation of this school.”