What were you doing at age 16? Most who went through the Kenyan education system were juggling chewing books and enjoying time with their friends.
The few bookworms were already pondering over their future careers and constantly following their teachers or parents for advice. This is the story of most 16-year-olds, from an academic perspective.
However, for Dennis Barnes, a young senior college student, his achievements before joining the university were extraordinary.
While many of his peers celebrated their newfound freedom by driving and attending late-night gatherings, Dennis had accomplished an exceptional feat – gaining acceptance into 185 universities nationwide.
Additionally, he had secured record-breaking scholarships worth $10 million. That’s a lot of money. Despite all these institutions’ scholarships, Dennis knew which university he wanted to join from the start – Cornell University in New York.
Hailing from New Orleans, the young man chose the Ivy League institution for its status and top engineering program. In a video, Dennis explained that he wanted to pursue computer science before venturing into software development, where his heart was.
“I’ve decided to attend Cornell University and intend to pursue studies in computer science and then software development,” he said.
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His desire gained approval from his keen followers. It reflects his pursuit of academic excellence and a desire to step out of his comfort zone and explore new horizons.
“I love my city, but I want to venture out and see things I’ve never seen before,” Dennis remarked.
The chosen institution, Cornell University extended their warm welcome to Dennis who’d be joining the class of 2027. They showed excitement for welcoming young future leaders such as Dennis into the campus community.
“Cornell Engineering congratulates Dennis and his classmates of the 2027 cohort, along with their families, for everything they’ve accomplished to reach this exciting moment in their educational journey,” the university said in a statement.
Dennis’ real challenge has now begun. Given his impressive track record, there is little doubt that he will fail to excel throughout his university journey.
His story serves as a reminder to all young people that with support from parents, teachers, and mentors, they can reach for the stars. Dennis’ journey illustrates that dedication and ambition have the power to change one’s life.