Today's Article

"My true 2motivation was my parents, my 3immigrant parents. I know they didn't have the opportunity to really do this, so when I had the opportunity, I just took it and ran with it." 

Adrian's parents moved here from Nigeria a few years before he was born. They moved here for the same reason so many still come. 

"For greener 4pasture. I always heard, America, you can live your dream. I said okay, let me go see that dream." 

That dream starts right here. Adrian goes to University High School in Newark and they 5offer a program where college professors come to the school and teach college-level courses for a few students. Adrian earned 60 college credits in that program after 6endless, 7countless days. 

"I go to my first period class where the college professor is already and then I begin learning in my college classes. And then following that, I followed the regular high school schedule 8throughout the day. And then after school at 2:40, I take additional college classes." 

He says college classes are harder, but not too hard. 

"I'm graduating with over a 3.0 GPA in the college classes while 9juggling high school classes as well and having a 3.5 in high school."

"Without education, he tells you, you're nowhere, especially in this country and as a black family. So for you to be 10recognized, for you to feel 11belong, you got to go for education. You ain't got no choice." 

12Still, Miriam understands that what her son has done is 13exceptional. 

"It's amazing. I'm out of words. I'm so proud of him. I'm 14overwhelmed with joy."