Maryland Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and his daughter, Nyla Davis, just after their speeches at the grand opening of the La Reine Science & Innovation Center

The La Reine Science and Innovation Center Is Making An Early Impact

By Raoul Dennis

Nyla Davis, a senior at Bishop McNamara High School, wasn’t always happy about attending the school. But things change. Fast forward four years and today she’s executive president of the student government association, a cheerleader, proficient in African dance, a member of mock trials, a peer minister and in love with her AP literature class.

Standing at the podium on March 18 during the opening of Bishop McNamara’s La Reine Science & Innovation Center, with her father, Maryland Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, just a few steps away, Nyla Davis very efficiently explained how it all came to be.

“[Four years ago] as I was getting ready to attend my neighborhood high school, my parents told me that we should look into private school. Having attended public school all my life, this was a bit unsettling for me. The more I thought about it, the less I liked the idea. But they were signing the check so, they won,” Davis said.

But Davis’ outlook shifted as she progressed at Bishop McNamara.

“Looking back, I’m glad my parents chose Bishop McNamara,” she said. “It was God’s plan for me to be here. In addition to the great education I received and spiritual growth I experienced, I became fully immersed in all aspects of Mustang life. I believe McNamara prepared me for what’s to come after I graduate on May 26 and prepared me for my four years at the Hampton University with over $14,000 in scholarships,” said 3.9 GPA student.

Nyla’s dad, brimming with pride as he took to the podium, explained what it’s like to be a Bishop McNamara parent.

“I grew up not 10 minutes from here, just off of Walker Mill Road,” the elder Davis began. “I didn’t have the opportunity to attend this school myself but I had friends who did. I knew about the school and the wonderful things that were going on here. And so, as my wife and I [were looking] for just the right place for [Nyla], we thought about this school. We knew this was the place for her.”

The Davis’ decision to send their daughter to Bishop McNamara was well founded. Throughout its 60 year history, BMHS has produced a steady and rising stream of high-achievers who’ve attended the nation’s leading institutions of higher learning. In 2020 alone, McNamara’s graduating class of 188 students attracted some $20 million in scholarships for students to attend historic, bristling institutions such as Cornell, Georgetown, USC, Dartmouth, University of Michigan and all the leading military academies.

But this moment focused on the opening of BMHS’ new $15 million La Reine Science & Innovation Center. The 20,000 square foot center is expected to be a fertile ground for teaching, learning and pioneering work in fields spanning technology and business industries. The center boasts seven classrooms (five of them science labs--two chemistry and two physics), a multimedia studio, an entrepreneurial space and a cybersecurity lab among other features. Located in Forestville, MD, the center will also be a hub for local and regional businesses over years to come. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has often referred to the site as a game changer for the county, students and for residents in surrounding communities.

Alsobrooks’ pronouncements didn’t take long to materialize.

Even before the grand opening, BMHS Senior Jordan Wallace wasted no time in taking advantage of the many amenities at La Reine. He’s been working at the center to develop Historical Orbit, a new 3D application that he says will be valuable to anyone in any industry seeking to convey complex ideas and plans in a clearer and “more aesthetically pleasing way.” [See video: Jordan Wallace: La Reine Innovation Begins].

Wallace was on hand at the center’s grand opening to showcase his app. Dozens of passersby, including the county executive and other leaders, gained introduction and instruction on the new product.

“Historical Orbit is a 3D presentation tool that can be used to explain and illustrate complex or nuanced ideas in a more abstract or aesthetically pleasing way---things that would be otherwise very difficult to do on a white board or [on] paper,” he says.

The center is ideal for students like Wallace, a driven and focused future entrepreneur. Wallace had been home-schooled throughout his academic career until it was time to go to high school.

“The La Reine Center allows students to creatively collaborate, to be able to expand our minds. The center allows us to become leaders in our fields and to explore different fields. This couldn’t be done in a normal classroom.”

According to parents Andrew and Dionne Wallace, Jordan is such a focused academic that he sometimes has to be reminded to stop working for the night and get some sleep (See video: Parents of Jordan Wallace Interview at La Reine Science & Innovation Center).

“The opening comes on the tail end of his journey here at McNamara,” Wallace’s father says. “I think because of the prospects it offers, the center can be a catalyst for getting things going---which is what Jordan’s doing at the center. It will add to his overall development.”

Dionne Wallace discussed her son’s growth and focus and says they are both aided by the new center.

“We have seen Jordan transition through many dreams and now his latest dream is to pursue computer science and he’s doing very well,” she says. “He works very hard. He’s driven and focused. I’m so thankful that he’s able to experience the opening of the La Reine Center and that he’s able to contribute.”

“I believe, because of Jordan’s desire to do well and to advance humanity in some way, whichever way it turns out, it will be a blessing,” says Andrew Wallace.

“This was God’s plan for your life,” Davis said of his daughter, Nyla, while looking directly at her from the stage. “This is where you were supposed to be.”