Timi Adelakun is not letting the global crisis stop him from making history as he has become the first black valedictorian of South Broward High School in Hollywood, FL with the highest GPA on record ever at his school.
“Coming from a low-income community, it means a lot in general because of the way I was brought up,” Adelakun told ABC News.
Eighteen-year-old Adelakun has a 5.604 GPA, jokingly admitting to ABC News that when he graduates, it will more than likely be a little bit higher.
Adelakun, whose parents hail from Nigeria, is the youngest of three children. Neither one of his parents went to college, so he told the news outlet that this is a major accomplishment for him, even though it is a bit bittersweet as his father was deported over a decade ago.
“He’s missed out and it’s not his fault. It’s not any of our fault,” Adelakun said. “He left when I was in the first grade. …I miss his physical presence and involvement.”
Adelakun has helped fund some of his educational experiences himself through graphic design and photography jobs.
Adelakun will deliver his speech during South Broward High School’s June virtual ceremony, but he hasn’t as of yet decided on what he wants to cover in his address other than providing “some positive reinforcement” for the class of 2020 in wake of the global pandemic.
Where is this amazing young man headed after graduation? Well, Adelakun is headed to Pomona College, a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. The school not only offered him a full scholarship, but also checked all the boxes that he was looking for in regards to an overall college experience. Adelakun was accepted to almost a dozen universities, including Columbia University, the Juilliard School and the University of Southern California.
