AFRICA | A young boy breaks US high school’s 13-year-old record, emerge as first-ever African-American Valedictorian.
A young boy named Isaiah Giles has made history as the first African-American student to be named valedictorian at Parkview High School since the institution’s inception.
Isaiah said the achievement has been a long-standing goal for him and he worked diligently toward it since his freshman year.
“Being valedictorian was a huge goal of mine. I wanted to achieve this ever since I was a fifth-grader, and by freshman year, I made sure I took all the weighted classes needed to stay on track. When I found out at the start of this year that I was in the position to do it, I knew I had to finish strong,” he said.
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Isaiah described the journey as challenging and requiring sacrifices, especially during his senior year. “Being top of my class sounded really good, and I liked the sound of it. But it took a lot of hard work,” Isaiah said.
”I had to make some sacrifices and keep a full schedule to stay challenged. Being surrounded by other driven students helped me grow both as a person and as a leader,” he added.
Throughout his time at Parkview High School, Isaiah was recognized as a leader who believed in setting an example of kindness and respect. Ambitious and driven, he prioritized integrity and good morals, aspiring to be a role model for others and inspired by his siblings.
Aside from his academic excellence, Isaiah was active in extracurricular activities. He participated in the National Honor Society, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), yearbook, Student African American Brotherhood, Principal’s Advisory, and the Commerce Mentorship Program.
Isaiah plans to attend Drury University to pursue a degree in business and a career in finance, with a particular interest in banking. He encouraged his fellow graduates to embrace challenges with courage and confidence, reminding them that they are capable of achieving hard things.
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