The future is bright for this valedictorian from Long Island, who was accepted into all eight Ivy League schools and four more non-Ivy but extremely competitive universities. Augusta Uwamansu-Nna of Elmont Memorial High School has yet to decide which school she'll attend when she bids high school goodbye, but with a track record like hers, it's clear that, no matter what she chooses, she's definitely going places.
Uwamanzu-Nna has clearly made an impression with a 101.64 weighted GPA. She also did research on cement to prevent underwater oil rigs from rupturing, which earned her a place as a finalist in the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search. On Monday, she was also invited to the White House Science Fair.
According to Uwamanzu-Nna, just like any other high school student, she struggled with some subjects, but she got her tenacity and persistence to keep working hard at her studies from her parents, both Nigerian immigrants, and her recognition of the ways she can help the country where her parents came from through her education.
"Though I was born here in America, I visited Nigeria many times. And I've seen that my cousins don't have the same opportunities that I have. So definitely, whatever I do, I want to make sure that it has an impact on Nigeria,” she said.
Reportedly, Uwananzu-Nna is not the only student from Elmont whose academic achievements have been recognized. The previous year's valedictorian, Harold Ekeh, also a Nigerian, who came to the U.S. when he was eight years old, was also accepted into all eight Ivy League schools and eventually announced that he would go to Yale.
No matter where she ends up, she says she wants to pursue her studies in biochemistry and environmental science. While her parents and high school are still eagerly awaiting her final decision on which school's acceptance to take, Uwamanzu-Nna shared that she will be paying visits to each of her Ivy League prospects this month, as well as Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
She will have until May 1 to officially make her choice.
