AMERICA | A brilliant boy breaks 91-year-old record of US high school, emerges first African American valedictorian with 5.30GPA.
A brilliant young boy named Bryan Wayah broke Purcell Marian High School’s 91-year-old record by becoming the first African-American to win the valedictorian award.
Bryan emerged as the overall best-graduating student of the school in 2020 after he scored an outstanding 5.30 grade point average and was the first in his class. He made history as the first African American to clinch the award since the school’s inception in 1928.
“Means equality. That’s what it showcases that there’s equality within the school. Means hard work, determination. Also means that God’s watching over me and granted me that great blessing,” he said.
Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive more good news on WhatsApp
In addition to his history-making achievement, Bryan was an active student in the school. He played three sports including basketball, track, and cross country, and was also president of the honor society.
Bryan’s grandmother, Geraldine Tumenta who was present at his graduation ceremony said she was very proud and beaming with a smile to see her grandson make history. “We were just beaming with joy for him to be the first black valedictorian,” Geraldine said.
“We were screaming for him. We are blessed because we never expected this, but he showed his zeal for everything he has done,” she added.
Bryan dedicated his speech to those who helped him get there, including his family and his mentor and youth basketball coach, Ishaq Nadir.
“This is nothing that could’ve been written that I would be blessed to have a relationship with him and see him make history. Proud at the highest level, especially because of his scholarship and the history he has established,” Nadir said.
Bryan mentioned that he did not set out to be valedictorian at the beginning but he planned to graduate with an excellent grade.
“Freshman year I wasn’t focusing on becoming a valedictorian but on being the best student I could be, getting the best grades I could get. First two years it was a lot of trials and tribulations, triumphs just a lot of negativity, but I used that to fuel me,” he said.
Bryan said he will be continuing his studies at Malone University in Canton, Ohio in the United States where he wants to keep playing basketball and pursue a career in Orthopedic medicine.
Receive Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: Scholarship Region WhatsApp
- Facebook: Scholars Region
- Twitter: @scholarsregion
- Telegram: Scholarship Region