For many high school seniors across the nation,
getting accepted into college is a natural next step in their educational
journey. For Nigerian-American Harold Ekeh, the path to
higher academics was bolstered by the fact that he was accepted at all eight of
the Ivy League schools
in America.
Ekeh, a student
and Salutatorian from Elmont High School in Long Island, New York, came to
the country just eight years ago from Nigeria with his family. As reported by
CBS New York, Ekeh’s epic feat in being accepted by the prestigious schools
also shocked him as well.
From CBS New York: Eight is a lucky number for Harold
Ekeh. The Salutatorian from Elmont High School on Long Island just achieved a
remarkable and rare accomplishment; acceptance to all eight prestigious Ivy
League schools.
As CBS2’s Chris Wragge reported,
8-years-ago the Ekeh family arrived in America from their native Nigeria.
“Absolutely shocked. It was as
though I was hit repeatedly. I was stunned,” Ekeh said.
Ekeh pointed to his family’s humble
beginnings, thirst for education and desire to make a meaningful mark on
society as his inspiration.
“I am just thanking god for what he
is doing for my family in the life of my son,” Harold’s mother Roseline said.
Roseline works in Queens for a human
resources agency. His father Paul works with the NYPD’s traffic division.
Ekeh, 17, isn’t just a remarkable
student. He also volunteers his time working on campaigns for academc
mentorying and has a passion for social justice issues. But the prospective Ivy
Leaguer to be has chosen biochemistry as his career path. As a young boy, Ekeh
always wanted to learn more about the human body and has an ambitious plan to
find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Ekeh’s focus on curing the disease is
personal as his grandmother was diagnosed with the condition.
Ekeh hasn’t decided which Ivy League
school he will go to, but he says he’s leaning toward Yale. If so, he’ll be
joining another Long Island whiz kid, Kwasi Enin, the Ghanian-African teen who was chosen for all
eight Ivy League schools last year.
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