Emily Ramirez, a remarkable young woman from Heights High School, Texas, has etched her name into academic history as the overall best graduating student of her class in 2020. Her dedication, perseverance, and brilliance earned her the prestigious title of valedictorian and an impressive acceptance to ten of the United States’ most esteemed universities.
Emily’s academic achievements are nothing short of extraordinary. Among the universities offering her admission were Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Stanford, Wellesley, Pomona, and Rice. After careful consideration, she decided to attend Harvard University, citing her long-held dream of studying there since her days at Harvard Elementary School and her sister’s enrollment as a sophomore at the institution.
While thrilled with her accomplishments, Emily faced a bittersweet moment as the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty to her senior year celebrations. She had eagerly anticipated her graduation ceremony as an opportunity to share her success with classmates, teachers, and family. Despite this, she remained optimistic, expressing gratitude for the lessons learned and the support she received throughout her journey.
“I have been looking forward to our graduation ceremony since the start of my senior year, especially after I made valedictorian,” Emily shared. “Even if I don’t get to celebrate it in the way I originally planned, I’m grateful for what I’ve accomplished.”
Emily’s leadership extended beyond academics. She served as chair of the City of Houston Mayor’s Youth Council, president of the ZIA Sisterhood, director of the St. Jerome Teen ACTS Retreat Group, secretary of her senior class, and EMERGE Fellowship Ambassador. Her commitment to community engagement showcased her multifaceted talents and unwavering drive to make a positive impact.
Reflecting on her college application journey, Emily credited the EMERGE-HISD program for invaluable guidance. “Their support taught me to dream bigger and work harder, and that as long as I am willing to work for it, I can reach any goal,” she said.
At Harvard, Emily chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in ethnicity, migration, and rights. Her academic interests align with her passion for social justice and understanding diverse cultures, further underlining her commitment to making a difference in the world.
As an avid learner and leader, Emily exemplifies the power of perseverance, ambition, and community support. Her story inspires countless others to pursue their dreams and aim for greatness, regardless of the challenges they may face.
In 2017, the world took notice of a remarkable achievement by Ifeoma White-Thorpe, a 17-year-old Nigerian-American student who earned acceptance into all eight Ivy League universities. Fast forward to 2024, Ifeoma has not only fulfilled her promise as an academic powerhouse but has also made strides as a leader, innovator, and advocate for change. Recently, she celebrated a significant milestone: graduating from Harvard Law School and passing the New York Bar Exam, cementing her status as a trailblazer in both education and law.
Born to Nigerian parents, Ifeoma’s journey began in New Jersey, where she graduated as the student body president of Morris Hills High School. Her outstanding academic record and leadership skills earned her acceptance to Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia, along with prestigious institutions like Stanford.
Her passion for global health and public policy initially guided her choice of Harvard University, where she pursued a dual concentration in Government and Chemistry. At Harvard, Ifeoma demonstrated her leadership acumen, serving as Vice President of the Harvard Undergraduate Council and founding the Harvard Undergraduate Black Premedical Society. Click here to continue reading about Ifeoma White-Thorpe.
