17-Year-Old Dana Bolden Awarded $1.4 Million in Scholarships to 34 US Universities, Pursues Dream of Becoming a Surgeon

In an inspiring display of academic excellence and determination, 17-year-old Dana Bolden, a high school senior from Mississippi, has secured a staggering $1.4 million in scholarship offers from 34 universities and colleges across the United States. Her remarkable achievement showcases her relentless pursuit of education and her aspirations to become a surgeon.

Dana, currently attending Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi, embarked on her journey to earn scholarships during the summer holidays leading up to her senior year. She undertook the ambitious task of applying to various schools and scholarship programs with the goal of furthering her education.

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The hard work paid off, and Dana Bolden was rewarded with scholarship offers totaling $1.4 million from 34 esteemed institutions in the United States. Her motivation to cast a wide net in her applications was sparked by witnessing a fellow student amass over $1 million in scholarships during their sophomore year. Dana described her journey, saying, "Once school started, I just decided to go ahead and knock it out and start applying to a bunch of schools. I didn’t think that I would get to this point of $1.4 million in scholarships, but I’m very grateful that I am, and I’m very grateful that I have the opportunity to get this far."

This remarkable achievement is unprecedented at Jim Hill High School, according to Frank Branch, an academic advisor at the school. He noted, "Every year, we normally would have $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million babies, as we call them. But this is the first time that we’ve had anyone achieve over a million dollars in September."

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Dana Bolden's excellence extends beyond academics. She actively participates in extracurricular activities at her school. She is a dedicated Clarinetist in the Jim Hill High School Marching Band, a passionate member of the school's speech and debate team, and an engaged student government member.

Dana credits her mentors, with a special acknowledgment for Jim Hill Principal Bobby Brown, for guiding her towards her remarkable achievements. Reflecting on her journey, Dana expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support she received, saying, "I almost gave up. I tried to give up. I had so many people push me to be better and to do better, and I’m so grateful that I did, because without them, I would not have this."

Dana's dedication and ambition are evident in the extensive application process she underwent. She applied to over 60 colleges and approximately 80 scholarships, resulting in acceptances from 34 schools, each offering scholarships. Dana's journey is far from over, as she anticipates further acceptances from her remaining applications.

Dana's journey serves as a powerful reminder for her peers, encouraging them to chase their dreams and not allow their fears to limit their aspirations. She offered this advice to her classmates, saying, "A lot of my classmates put off applying to college because they think that they’re not good enough to get in, or they don’t think that they’ll meet the standards that they’ve set for themselves. But I feel like all you have to do is sit down, make this list, apply to colleges. You never know where you’ll end up."

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Dana aspires to attend her dream school, Duke University, with a major in biology, as she pursues a career in the field of medicine as a trauma surgeon. Her journey represents the limitless potential of young individuals who strive for academic excellence and are committed to achieving their dreams.