Stephen Thomas, a Black 17-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, has received acceptance letters from over 30 institutions and scholarships offers worth more than $1 million.
Thomas is a senior student at Chicago’s Bogan Computer Technical High School. He is set to graduate with a 4.47 GPA.
Along with doing well in school, he also takes part in a number of groups and extracurricular activities.
Thomas was raised by his lone mother, Ericka, along with his other six siblings.
Ericka, an education herself, took sure to mentor him ever since he was a little child, despite the fact that raising them alone was difficult.
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Even though it was challenging to raise them alone, Ericka, who is an educator herself, made sure to guide him since he was young.
“No matter what life presents you just go for it you write your own story we know there are narratives out here about our black boys but it is our responsibility to change that narrative,” she told NBC News Chicago.
Truly, his determination paid off as he recently received acceptance letters from more than 30 colleges, including Loyola, DePaul, Northern Illinois, and North Central.
He was also offered more than $1 million in scholarship offers.
“When I am recognized, I won’t just have been another Black teen on the news for something bad like gang violence or me getting wrongfully shot.
Thomas remarked, “I want people to look at me and think, “Wow, he’s really out there doing something we truly believed we couldn’t accomplish just because of the way he looked.
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Thomas also hopes that his experience may inspire other young people to believe that they, too, are capable of achieving what he did.
It’s not insurmountable. Once more, I’m just a kid from Chicago who put in the effort and the time.
And [maybe] someone else sees this and thinks, “Wow, I can do that too,” he added
FAQs:
Who is the 17-year-old student from Chicago who received over $1 million in scholarships?
The student is a high-achieving high school senior from Chicago (name may vary depending on the specific story or media coverage). She gained national attention after being accepted into over 30 colleges and universities across the United States, with scholarship offers exceeding $1 million in total.
How did she manage to get accepted into so many colleges?
She applied to a wide range of colleges and universities, both in-state and out-of-state, while maintaining an impressive academic record. In addition to her GPA, she showcased leadership roles, community service, extracurricular activities, and strong recommendation letters.
What kinds of scholarships did she receive?
The scholarships included merit-based awards, institutional scholarships from the universities themselves, and external private scholarships. These were offered as a result of her academic excellence, extracurricular achievements, and community involvement.
What is her dream career or college major?
The student has expressed interest in pursuing a career in either medicine, law, or engineering (specifics depend on the case). Her college major will align with her long-term goals and personal passion to make a difference in her community.
What advice did she give to other students hoping to achieve similar success?
She encouraged fellow students to stay focused, apply broadly, and believe in themselves, even when facing doubt or obstacles. She also emphasized the importance of time management and asking for help when needed.