An exceptional 18-year-old boy named Rawlin Tate Jr has emerged as the first-ever African-American boy to be named best graduating student of Woodland High School in Stockbridge, United States.
Rawlin Tate Jr. clinched the school’s prestigious award after attaining an outstanding 4.7GPA, making him the person with the highest academic title it opened in 2007.
The brilliant boy says he does not think much about the title. He Father who is proud of his son says he sees it as a benchmark for other males in the United States and not only at Woodland High School.
“The title, I don’t think about it that much. I know it’s significant, but I’ve just been doing what I’ve been doing [throughout] my schooling,” Rawlin Tate Jr. told GMA.
Aside from being exceptional in his academics, Rawlin Tate Jr. was successful in other extra-curricular activities too. Woodland High School principal, Shannon Ellis, explained that he is an outstanding pianist and a self-taught percussionist.
“He is brilliant, talented, a musical genius and is one of the most well-rounded students that I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with,” Ellis said.
Rawlin Tate Jr. was accepted to 14 different universities across the United States including Louisiana State University, Morehouse College, Ohio State University, Georgia Institute of Technology and more.
He was also awarded over $1 million in scholarships to pursue his dream of becoming a Mechanical Engineer. His mother, Marion Tate, expressed that she is proud of her son’s achievements.
“I’m glad that he is able to be an example to others. We’re just proud of him and glad that he is in this position. He has worked very hard and is very deserving of it, Marion said.
Rawlin Tate Jr. offered some advise to upcoming scholars, he said; “Do your work on time: Even if you participate in extracurricular activities, get your homework done immediately so you are not tempted to procrastinate.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Talk with your teachers and sign up for tutoring, Stay focused: Keep your eye on the prize and thank God — keep him first,” he added.
FAQs:
Who is Rawlin Tate Jr. and what did he achieve?
Answer:
Rawlin Lee Tate Jr. is an 18‑year‑old from Woodland High School in Stockbridge, Georgia. He earned a stellar 4.7 GPA, becoming the first African‑American male valedictorian in his school’s history.
What scholarships did he receive?
Answer:
He received over $1 million in scholarship offers. He was accepted to 14 universities—including Morehouse, Georgia Tech, LSU, and Ohio State—and is attending North Carolina A&T on a full academic scholarship to pursue mechanical engineering.
Why is his accomplishment significant?
Answer:
Apart from academic excellence, his achievement shatters racial barriers, becoming the first African‑American male valedictorian at his school since its founding in 2007, setting a powerful example for future students ABC News.
How did he perform academically and extracurricularly?
Answer:
Rawlin excelled in 21 AP classes and never scored below an A—his lowest grade was a 98 ajc. He’s also an accomplished pianist, percussionist, and athlete, playing varsity tennis and football. He regularly sought tutoring and asked questions in class.
What are his plans and advice moving forward?
Answer:
Rawlin plans to earn a mechanical engineering degree at North Carolina A&T. His advice to students:
Stay on top of assignments—avoid procrastination.
Ask for help—seek guidance from teachers and tutors.
Keep focused—maintain clear goals and strong faith