In 2020, Nina Mitchell, a 17-year-old from DeKalb, Illinois, made history by becoming the first Black female valedictorian at her high school, which had been established 159 years prior. She achieved an impressive 4.54 GPA and credited her success to her family’s support and her grandmother’s legacy as an educator. Nina’s accomplishment serves as an inspiration to students nationwide, highlighting the importance of perseverance and representation in academic excellence.
