These graduating seniors are on their way to college with full academic scholarships. We asked metro Atlanta school officials to put us in touch with high-achieving students so we could share their stories with other students and parents. Please see myajc.com for all the student profiles.
Mezmure Dargie, 18
Grady High School, Atlanta Public Schools
College and intended major: Georgia Tech, computer engineering
Amount of scholarship offer: Gates Millennium Scholarship pays all costs
When did you first become serious about your education: “Probably in 7th grade when I had the first signs of trouble with school work in accelerated math. Since then I’ve had various spontaneous bursts of focus and higher achievement.”
Biggest inspiration to do well in school: “My mother … She came as an emigrant from Ethiopia, and sacrificed everything and instilled in me the need to put education first before anything.”
When, where and how often did you study: “I actually managed to never really study in high school. I always felt that I learned best by not taking notes and just paying attention to my teachers’ lectures.”
Number of advanced placement classes: Seven.
How did you balance school with other activities: “I just made sure to use any opportunity I had in school to do my assignments, as in electives or whenever I had free class time. Junior year was the worst, with 4 AP classes, so there were many a late night spent doing homework or projects.”
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Vasthi Redjinova Jean-Michel, 17
Osborne High School, Cobb County
College and intended major: Clark Atlanta University, chemistry
Biggest inspiration to do well in school: “My parents, who both went to college, always kept me on track and made it really clear that I had to do well in school. And also, the teachers who showed appreciation for my work really encouraged me to do better in school.”
Number of AP classes: Three
Advice for other students: “Find a way to have fun with school while being responsible and making sure their life is what THEY want to make out of it without over-stressing it.”
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Cali Callaway, 18
Woodward Academy (lives in Johns Creek)
College and intended major: University of Georgia, cognitive science
When did you first become serious about your education: “When I was first starting school, my parents pushed me to do well. They always said, ‘If you’re not going to do it the best you can, don’t do it all.’ ” For some reason, that resonated with me, and after my first year or two of elementary school, I didn’t need pushing anymore. Now, I stay focused on my work by pursuing my goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. I think to myself, ‘If you don’t do well now, you’re not going to be able to do that.’ That mindset really keeps me on task.”
Biggest inspiration to do well in school: “My Mom … I watched everything she did to be successful in her career and involved in my childhood, and it absolutely amazed me. I didn’t just want to be like her, I wanted to amaze her. She never asked for that, of course, but it always seemed like doing well was my thank you for all she did for me. I don’t think I would have been half as successful without her unyielding support.”
When, where and how often did you study: “I spent a huge amount of time studying and working every week. Woodward has a fantastic library, so I’d spend at least a half-hour of our hour and a half-long lunch/tutorial period in there every day. It was quiet but there were always other people to work with on whatever big assignment was due. I also did a lot of my readings on the bus ride home from school. By getting those knocked out, I only had to do written work when I got home.”
Number of AP classes: Nine.
How did you balance school with other activities: “Balancing school, club activities, and soccer while commuting two hours a day was by far the most difficult part of my high school career. The key to making it all work was simply using every second I had available; however, that is much easier said than done. It meant studying during lunch tutorial instead of hanging out with my friends, working on the bus while others slept, or finding a quiet place to read before games. It was tough, but the days I didn’t make those sacrifices turned into the latest nights. When that dreaded 6 a.m. alarm goes off and you’ve only been asleep a few hours, it teaches you time management.”
Najee Kitchens, 18
Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology, Gwinnett County
College and intended major: Georgia Tech, computer and electrical engineering
When did you first become serious about your education: “In 5th grade … I started to work really hard in striving for straight A’s.”
Biggest inspiration to do well in school: “I became in this determined mindset right after 4th grade because my 4th-grade social studies teacher gave me a low grade I knew I didn’t deserve for the class. This motivated me to work as hard as I could to prove to myself that I am intelligent no matter what anyone tells me.”
When, where and how often did you study: “I usually study for tests and quizzes at home after school. However, when I’m studying for AP exams, I would study at the Burger King right across from my school with my friends after school because we would never be hungry while studying.”
Number of AP courses: 10
How did you balance school with other activities: “Whenever I had an extracurricular activity, I would open my calendar and add the activity with the date and time, so I can keep up with everything I have to do. I also made sure to work on the homework/activity with the most priority first and the least priority last because if I don’t have time to finish everything I’ll at least have the most important work finished.”
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Träger Kviten, 18
Marietta High School, Marietta City Schools
College and intended major: United States Air Force Academy, chemistry
Amount of scholarship: $400,000-plus
When did you first become serious about your education: “I’ve never not been serious about my education.”
Biggest inspiration to do well in school: “There is not one for me. I feel like the saying, ‘It takes a village’ best describes my upbringing. I am in debt to so many people who have molded my character.”
When, where and how often did you study: “I study on an at-need basis. I do my homework when I get it and study throughout the week. My technique is to fully engage during class. If I know the answer, then I’ll raise my hand.”
Number of AP classes: “As many as I could. I took arguably the hardest route in my high school by taking dual science and by making Spanish my sixth subject.”
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Jamar Fraisar, 18
Pebblebrook High School, Cobb County
College and major: University of Pittsburgh, business administration
When did you first become serious about your education: “In middle school. I struggled tremendously throughout elementary school because of the mindset that being popular was more cool than an education. Consequently, I failed the third grade, but in middle school I began to broaden my mind, seeing new places and observing different cultures. I began to see the world for what it truly was. Without an education, life will be hard and it is guaranteed that you will struggle.
When, where and how often did you study: “I studied for every final and every major test that I thought would be difficult. I would study before I went to bed because I read somewhere that studying before you go to sleep helps you to retain more knowledge, and it actually works.”
Number of AP classes: One; mostly took honors classes in high school
How did you balance school with other activities: “Longevity. No matter how tired I was or how frustrated I would become, I never let my grades slip and always tried my best to turn every assignment in on time. I played football and worked at a day care. I also draw schematics for an interior design consultant.”
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