AMERICA | 17-year-old girl emerges valedictorian at US high school, earns acceptance to Harvard University
A 17-year-old girl named Autumn Dorsey has emerged as the valedictorian of Lakeview High School, graduating with a remarkable grade point average of 4.54.
Autumn’s exceptional academic performance earned her a place at the prestigious Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
She revealed that attending Harvard was not part of her initial plan. Autumn said it was her mother who encouraged her to apply, and as she conducted research on the university, she developed a strong interest.
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“The funny thing is I had never planned to go to Harvard. I applied to Harvard just because my mom wanted me to. I’ll do it for the heck of it. I was preparing and had to do a little bit of research, and I kind of fell in love with Harvard while doing research,” she said.
Aside from being named valedictorian, Autumn’s academic achievements include an impressive SAT (Scholastic Altitude Test) score of 1540 and an ACT (American College Testing) score of 32.
She also maintained perfect attendance while dual-enrolled at the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center, further demonstrating her dedication to her studies.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Autumn is bilingual, speaking fluent Korean, her mother’s native language. She is also musically gifted, having played the piano since the age of five, and later mastering the French horn and cello.
Autumn’s involvement in extracurricular activities is equally remarkable. She volunteered over 50 hours of community service through the National Honor Society and the Lakeview Key Club, and she served as the president of the City of Battle Creek Youth Alliance Board.
Commenting on how she managed such a rigorous schedule, Autumn credited her success to developing good study habits early on and maintaining a healthy balance between schoolwork and social life.
“It’s important to find a balance, but there are times where you have to say I can’t go out tonight, I have to study. But don’t forget to have fun in high school. I only went to homecoming freshman and senior year. I still feel like I got the whole high school experience,” she said.
Autumn attributed much of her success to the support of her mother, Sunny Park. “We’re a team, and I know she always has my back,” she said. Whether it was signing up for piano lessons or finding teachers for the French horn and cello, her mother was always there to nurture her passions.
Though she excelled in math, Autumn said her true passions lie in research and music. She plans to attend medical school to become a doctor and later hopes to transition into politics to advocate for meaningful change.
Reflecting on her achievements, Autumn expressed gratitude for the supportive people in her life who have helped her grow both academically and personally. She attributes her success to a combination of hard work, luck, and faith.
For students aspiring to attend Harvard University, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance, dedication, and kindness in achieving one’s goals.
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