(Photo credit: Facebook.com)
A Texas high school senior is making history at her high school. She not only earned an amazing grade point average above everyone else in her school, she is also the first Black valedictorian in the school’s history.
Tobechukwu “Tobi” Phillips will be the first Black student to graduate at the top of the class in Alvin High School’s history. The school was founded in 1894 and desegregated in 1965.
Phillips was awarded this honor after earning 6.9 grade point average. Now, I thought that most GPA scales were on the 4.0 or 5.0 scale, but this incredible young lady made a 6.9 GPA! She did this by only taking AP courses to go along with her electives.
She will attend the University of Texas on a full-ride thanks to the Forty Acre Scholarship. Phillips was one of 16 children chosen out of 4,000 applicants.
The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Forty Acres funding covers full tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, and enrichment activities including a community component, a global experience, and professional experiences.
The scholars who are awarded demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. They also exhibit the passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin.
Students who have the best chance do the following:
(Photo credit: Becauseofthemwecan)
“Maintaining the highest GPA in my class is a difficult task,” Phillips told Because of Them We Can.
“It truly takes time management but more importantly acknowledging what you do it for. I know that I am no longer just representing myself,”
The Alvin High School senior is one of only 86 students at her school and encourages other Black students in similar situations to stay true to themselves.
“My biggest advice to other scholars of color is to truly adopt the mindset of Rosa Parks — ‘No.’ Do not conform to the stereotypes that have held us under…
… thumbs for so long,” she said.
“Do not be discouraged when someone speaks out against you, simply allow what they say to fuel your fire. But more than anything, do not remain tight-lipped. Stand up for what you believe in and take it upon yourself to be the change you’ve always wanted. Say ‘No’ to the ways of the world and stick out.”
Phillips will study nursing in college and aspires to be a pediatric nurse practitioner with her own clinic.
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