Roberta Hannah, then an 18-year-old senior at Springfield High School of Science and Technology in Massachusetts, achieved a remarkable milestone in 2020 by gaining acceptance into all eight Ivy League schools.
Amid the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which brought unprecedented challenges to the Class of 2020, Hannah’s historic accomplishment provided a reason for celebration.
Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, she remained steadfast in her academic pursuits, reports Black News.
As a student-athlete actively involved in track and field, Hannah acknowledged the difficulties she faced in achieving her goals.
However, through hard work and dedication, including enrollment in honors and AP classes, she prepared herself for success. Currently, she is diligently preparing for seven AP exams, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence.
Initially considering applying to only three schools, Hannah’s mother and sister encouraged her to aim higher and apply to all eight Ivy League institutions.
Despite her initial reservations, Hannah ultimately decided to heed their advice. To her surprise, she received acceptance letters from all eight schools, exceeding her expectations.
“I was really anxious getting up to the day, and then I started opening the letters, and I was like ‘oh, I keep seeing ‘yes,'” she shared with Western Mass News.
Expressing gratitude for the support and encouragement she received from her family, Hannah highlighted the role her mother, Valerie Williams, played in motivating her to strive for excellence.
Despite facing challenges in pursuing higher education herself, Williams instilled in her children the importance of seizing opportunities.
Out of the prestigious Ivy League institutions, Hannah chose to attend Columbia University, where she is pursuing a double major in biochemistry and African-American studies.
Her ultimate goal is to become a medicinal chemist, focusing on increasing accessibility and affordability of medicine.
“So my goal is to be a medicinal chemist, but with making medicine and kind of the one researching it,” she explained. “I want my focus to be on increasing accessibility and making the medicine more affordable.”
Hannah’s remarkable achievement serves as a testament to her perseverance, determination, and the support of her family. Her journey to success exemplifies the transformative power of education and the pursuit of one’s aspirations.
