In a remarkable triumph over adversity, Nicholas Watson, a high school graduate from Texarkana, Arkansas, has defied expectations by graduating as valedictorian with a record-breaking GPA of 4.8, the highest in the history of his school. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD, Watson’s journey serves as an inspiring tale of resilience and determination.
Watson’s academic prowess and hard work garnered him acceptance into an astounding 45 colleges and universities, accompanied by scholarship offers totaling over $1.5 million. Disproving skeptics who doubted his ability to read and comprehend math, Watson’s tenacity has not only secured his place among the academic elite but also earned him recognition as a trailblazer.
Despite facing challenges associated with autism and ADHD, Watson excelled not only academically but also showcased his athletic talents in sports such as soccer, cross country, track, and basketball. His achievements extend beyond the classroom, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that sets him apart.
Choosing to attend Harding University on a basketball scholarship, Watson embarks on his college journey with a major in Electrical Engineering. Armed with 64 college credits earned during high school, he aspires to create electronic devices and dreams of contributing to renowned companies like Google and Tesla.
Watson’s mother, Marian Watson, expressed pride in her son’s accomplishments, emphasizing his ability to overcome challenges with determination. “I don’t even know if I would say [there were] obstacles because whatever you ask of him, he just did it,” she shared.
Watson’s story is one of inspiration, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. He encourages others to embrace their potential and surpass any limitations imposed upon them. As he looks forward to his collegiate journey, Watson stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with unwavering determination, one can achieve greatness against all odds.
In another remarkable display of academic excellence, two siblings from Georgia, Anthony Mays II and his sister Chyna Mays, have both graduated as valedictorians from Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, achieving extraordinary GPAs just two years apart.
Chyna Mays set the standard two years ago when she graduated with a stellar 4.91 GPA, receiving acceptance letters from renowned institutions such as Brown, Stanford, Columbia, Rice, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. Now, following in his sister’s footsteps, Anthony Mays II has graduated as the valedictorian with an outstanding 4.93 GPA, continuing the family legacy of academic success.
Their mother, Demeka Breedlove-Mays, attributes their achievements to meticulous planning, hard work, and unwavering focus on their educational journey. The siblings maintained straight A’s from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and their dedication has now opened the doors to their dream colleges without the burden of tuition.
Adhering to a plan established since their birth, the Mays siblings aimed for excellence, participating in college tours as early as 8th grade and engaging in various programs during summer breaks. Anthony’s academic prowess and dedication earned him acceptance into prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Brown, Stanford, and many more. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the only male and only Black valedictorian for the Class of 2019 in the entire Rockdale County Public School District. Read more about Anthony and the sister Chyna here.
