It is noteworthy to see a young brilliant man like Timi Adelakun whose mind is not getting swept away with current global state, instead he is keeping his head up to bring out his very best.
He did not only become the first Black Valedictorian of South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida, but he got the highest GPA the school had ever recorded in its history.
“Coming from a low-income community, it means a lot in general because of the way I was brought up,” Adelakun told ABC News.
The 18-year-old student recorded a grade point average of 5.604, he said he was briefed by the school officials that he could make history before his senior year even started. He also took it to a joke that his GPA will most likely be higher when he graduates.
Adelakun is a Nigerian-American, who is the youngest of the three children in his family. And while his graduation is going to be a special virtual event, Adelakun says the moment will be bittersweet as his father was deported back to his home country (Nigeria) over a decade ago and won’t be able to join him in the special event.
“He’s missed out and it’s not his fault. It’s not any of our fault,” Adelakun said.
Report had it that his father lived in the United States for about 28 years after coming to the country as a student in 1981.
“He left when I was in the first grade. … I miss his physical presence and involvement,” he said.
Adelakun has been scheduled to deliver a speech during his high school’s virtual ceremony in June. He noted his plans of making provisions for “some positive reinforcement” for the class of 2020 amid the global health crisis.
Adelakun is already on admission to Pomona College, a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California, which he says offered him a full scholarship. He has also been offered admission into several colleges including Columbia University, the Juilliard School and the University of Southern California.
Keep winning and making Africa proud.