Timi Adelakun, a Nigerian teenager studying in South Broward, US, has every right to be in a jubilant mood, after becoming the school’s first Black valedictorian 105 years after it was established in 1913.
He did this by earning the highest recorded GPA at the Hollywood school.
Explaining how he was able to get excellent grades and keep up with the rest of his interests, he said,
“As of now, it’s a 5.6045,” said senior Timi Adelakun. “I think by graduation it’ll go a little bit higher, but that’s my number.”
The 18-year-old has earned the highest recorded GPA at the Hollywood school.
“It’s good, especially the history breaking part, that me being the first black valedictorian, and also me having the highest GPA in my school,” Adelakun said. “It’s good to know.”
Adelakun said his grades excelled early on in his life, and he kept them up ever since.
“South Broward sets you up to start off with college-level courses, so you’re pretty much in a good position GPA wise,” he said.
“South Broward High School, which is an Ace Program school, and each Ace class is a college credit. At the same time, they offer AP courses and at the same time they offer Broward College courses.”
Adelakun said he has been taking all three of the courses offered during his time in high school.
“I’ve been taking over 20 college courses worth of credit, and because of that, my AP credits, my Ace credits and my dual enrollment credits boost my GPA,” he said.
“When I was in high school I was always like the STEM-focused kid. I was in calculus and biology, but at the same time I was doing extracurricular drama club/Thespian Honors Society,” Adelakun said. “Through there I’ve been doing shows and competitions. Through that love of theater, I’ve found a way to do both at the same time.”
