18-year-old Nigerian boy, Timi Adelakun, has made history on two fronts by becoming the first black valedictorian of South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida, and has the highest GPA ever recorded at the school.
“Coming from a low-income community, it means a lot in general because of the way I was brought up,” Adelakun said in an interview ABC News.
Timi, who has a 5.604 GPA, is the youngest child of three siblings and neither of his parents attended college.
He said that his major accomplishment is somewhat bittersweet considering his father — who was deported over a decade ago — won’t be there to celebrate with him.
For Adelakun, the achievement is especially significant considering some of the financial obstacles his family has overcome. .
From helping his mother pay bills through side hustles, such as graphic design and photography, or walking to school if he missed the bus.