An exceptional 18-year-old boy named Dominic Antoine has achieved remarkable academic success, graduating as the valedictorian of Fremont High School in East Oakland, California, with an outstanding 4.30 GPA.
Dominic also earned admission offers from 31 colleges and universities across the United States, including top institutions such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, Syracuse University, Howard University, Tennessee State University, and Morgan State University.
His journey is one pf excellence across academics and as a student athlete, making remarkable success across nationals.
Dominic's Story and How She Did It
Known by many as “Pooda,” Dominic built a strong reputation both as an outstanding student and a varsity basketball player while maintaining an unwavering focus on academics.
On May 1, celebrated as National College Decision Day in the United States, Dominic officially announced that he would be attending Louisiana State University (LSU), where he plans to study Biology on a pre-med track as he works toward his dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
LSU also offered him a prestigious merit-based scholarship, which played a major role in his final decision.
Despite attracting attention from basketball programs, Dominic explained that he prioritized academics and his long-term medical career over sports opportunities.
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“No rejections!” Dominic proudly shared after receiving acceptance letters from every school he applied to. His academic success was driven by discipline, consistency, and dedication to rigorous coursework.
Dominic earned his impressive GPA by excelling in Advanced Placement classes such as Biology, English Literature, and U.S. History, while also taking dual-enrollment college courses during high school.
Outside the classroom, he became known as a student leader and mentor. His school principal, Nidya Baez, described him as “a caring leader who advocates for all students.”
Dominic actively supported students with disabilities, served as a peer tutor, and regularly helped classmates with math and college applications.
Beyond academics, he also excelled in sports, participating in basketball, football, and track and field. His experiences with sports injuries and visits to orthopedic specialists inspired his passion for medicine.
“A lot of back and forth to orthopedics, getting MRIs, getting X-rays, getting checkups. I feel so relieved after being helped,” he explained. That experience motivated him to pursue orthopedic surgery so he could help others in the same way.
Dominic first gained widespread attention after being selected first-team all-league in varsity basketball and later went viral following his participation in the Black College Expo at the Oakland Convention Center.
His basketball coach, Derek Smith, described him as an exceptional young man with rare leadership qualities.
“I wouldn’t trade him for nothing in the world. I wish I had 12 of him This kid is phenomenal,” the coach said.
As the second of six children in his family, Dominic said his success was made possible through hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and the strong support system around him.
Reflecting on his journey, he encouraged other young people to believe in themselves and remain focused on their goals.
“I just want to express that hard work, discipline, sacrifice, dedication, and utmost focus can bring you every step closer to the goals you aspire to have,” he said.
“My achievements are just a representation of what a kid from Oakland can do when proper commitment is applied. I promise everyone that reads this: YOU CAN DO IT TOO,” Dominic added it
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