In 2020, Nina Mitchell, a 17-year-old student from DeKalb, Illinois, made history by becoming the first Black female valedictorian in DeKalb High School’s 159-year history, graduating with a remarkable 4.549 GPA.
During her high school years, Nina was deeply involved in various extracurricular activities:
- Leadership Roles:
- President of the Honor Society and Key Club.
- Founder of the Spanish Honor Society.
- Member of the principal’s advisory board.
- Founding member of the peer mediation program.
- Athletics:
- Participated in volleyball and track.
- Community Engagement:
- Legislative member of the Illinois YMCA Youth and Government.
- Member of the Youth Advisory Council.
- First Black chair of Youth Engaged in Philanthropy.
Nina’s academic excellence runs in the family; her grandmother, Pearlene Carter, was also a valedictorian in 1959.
Nina was accepted into several prestigious universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she chose to major in business.
Her story serves as an inspiring example of dedication and excellence, paving the way for future generations of students.
