Jeremiah Bledsoe, an 18-year-old African American student from Fort Worth, Texas, has been accepted to over 40 colleges and universities, a testament to his outstanding academic achievements and dedication to community service. He credits his success to his commitment to serving others and the unwavering support of his community.
A senior at Nolan Catholic High School, Jeremiah has received several prestigious awards and grants, including the Hershey Heartwarming Hero Award, the Power of Youth Award, and recognition from Youth Service America. For the past decade, he has devoted his time to visiting nursing homes and donating essential items to elderly residents, an initiative that has profoundly impacted his life and the lives of those he serves.
Jeremiah’s passion for helping others was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Health, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. “We are living during a global pandemic, and we cannot leave our elders behind,” he explained. His dedication to this cause has been a driving force behind his community service efforts.
Looking ahead to college, Jeremiah plans to continue his service to the elderly while pursuing higher education. He is excited about using social enterprises to create innovative solutions for societal problems. His own social enterprise, J8 Creative, provides multimedia and content creation solutions, with a portion of the proceeds supporting elderly residents in senior living facilities.
In addition to his community service, Jeremiah is actively involved in student activities and sports. He participates in football, photography, and digital media at Nolan Catholic High School. His multifaceted talents and commitment to excellence have made him a role model for his peers.
Jeremiah’s achievements are a source of immense pride for his family, friends, teachers, and coaches. “I want to thank my family, friends, teachers, and coaches for pouring into me. I would not be the person I am today if I did not have them in my life,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of giving back, encouraging other students to help others on their journeys. “Remember, to help someone else on your journey. I think of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?’”
As Jeremiah embarks on this new chapter, he remains focused on his mission to serve others and make a positive impact on society. His story is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make through dedication, compassion, and community service.
Identical twin sisters Oprah and Eleanor Nkera have achieved a remarkable milestone, graduating as valedictorian and salutatorian from Medford High School. This fall, they will continue their academic journey together at Harvard University.
Eleanor Nkera, the salutatorian, graduated with an impressive GPA of 4.45, while her sister Oprah narrowly edged her out for the valedictorian title with a GPA of 4.46. Despite their academic prowess, the sisters were surprised by their top rankings.
“It was kind of a surprise. We’ve always worked hard throughout our academic career, but obviously valedictorian and salutatorian weren’t what we expected,” said Oprah.
The sisters, the youngest of five siblings, have lived in Medford their entire lives. Their parents moved to the United States from the Republic of Congo before they were born. Eleanor is named after her godmother, and Oprah was named after Oprah Winfrey.
“When my parents immigrated to the United States, it was kind of hard for them to learn English, so my mom used to watch Oprah to learn English,” Oprah explained. Click here to continue reading about Oprah and Eleanor.
