Amia Jackson, a soon-to-graduating senior, has been admitted to almost 40 colleges and universities (so far) and has collectively been offered $2 million in scholarships.
Jackson, 17, is a student at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois with a current 4.3 GPA.
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Although Jackson has not decided what university she will be attending, she plans to study Business Management and pursue her real estate license after graduating from college.
Her parents are proud of the Willowbrook High School senior’s accomplishments and are excited to watch her grow, wherever she chooses to go.
“We try to teach her that the sky is the limit and she can go wherever she wants,” her father, Randy Jackson said.
“It’s absolutely surreal,” her mother, Denise Davis added. “Always instilling in her the importance of education. Trying to make sure she pushes toward whatever goal she has and absolutely just trying to strive for whatever it is she wants to do.”
Jackson has been in plenty of clubs and organizations and is currently a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the National Math, English, World Language and Civitas Honors Societies and reigns as Academic Chair for the Black Organization of Student Success as well as a member of the Student Council and Varsity Club, according to Black News.
“During my senior year, I wanted to try something new, so I tried bowling, and I loved it,” she told WGN-TV.
Jackson says she has always enjoyed school and stays motivated, knowing no one can take away the knowledge she continues to gain.
“My mom taught me from a very early age that I am going to have to work twice as hard to get to where I want to be,” she said. “‘You’re strong, and you can handle it.’ I think it’s important, especially for women of color.”
“What attracts me to learning is that the more I learn, the more powerful I feel…It makes you unstoppable because knowledge is something no one can take away from you.”
Congratulations, Amia!