17 year old Nigerian, Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna from Elmont High school, New York, has been accepted to all eight Ivy League schools…. and MIT. She actually applied to twelve schools and was accepted in all.
This is the second time in a row that a Nigerian is achieving this feat. Last year, it was Harold Ekeh, from the same school who was accepted to all the eight Ivy League schools and finally settled for Yale University.
So is it in the school or in the Nigerian blood? CNN says “There must be something in the water at Elmont Memorial High School.” Ekeh was born in Nigeria and came to the United States when he was 8. Uwamanzu-Nna is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants.
“Having two students get accepted into all eight Ivy League institutions in back-to-back years is humbling but also speaks to the incredible commitment to children by the families and staff within the EMHS Community,” Kevin Dougherty, Elmont Memorial High School principal, told CNN.
#Elmont's Ivy League ace, Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna, is in the building! #WeAreElmont pic.twitter.com/IEG1oVgjkb
— The Elmont Excelsior (@WeAreElmont) April 5, 2016
In a press release, Uwamanzu-Nna thanked her community.
“My recent accomplishments reflect the hardworking ideals of the town of Elmont, my supportive parents and my dedicated teachers. I am elated, but most importantly, I am thankful,” she said.
“Though I was born here in American, I visited Nigeria many times,” she said. “And I’ve seen that my cousins don’t have the same opportunities that I have. So definitely, whatever I do, I want to make sure that it has an impact on Nigeria.”
Augusta wants to pursue a science-related major, and hopes to combine her interests of biochemistry and environmental studies.
She has until May 1 to decide on the school she would attend.
