17-Year-Old Nina Mitchell Shatters Records as First-Ever Female Best Graduating Student at DeKalb High School
Nina's stellar academic performance was complemented by her significant contributions to the school community. Serving as president of the Honor Society and Key Club, a member of the Spanish Club, and part of the principal’s advisory board, Nina showcased leadership and dedication beyond her academic pursuits.
AKACHI NOEL 
In a historic achievement, 17-year-old Nina Mitchell has emerged as the first-ever black female recipient of the Best Graduating Award at DeKalb High School in Illinois, United States. With an outstanding 4.549 GPA, Nina not only broke academic records but also became an inspiring figure for young black and female students.
Expressing her humility and pride, Nina shared, "I was very humbled and honored. I am representing Black students and female students. They can look up to me and say, ‘Wow. Nina did it, so I can do it.’ That was really important for me."
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Nina's stellar academic performance was complemented by her significant contributions to the school community. Serving as president of the Honor Society and Key Club, a member of the Spanish Club, and part of the principal’s advisory board, Nina showcased leadership and dedication beyond her academic pursuits.
Her achievements carry a deeper significance as Nina's 75-year-old grandmother, Pearlene Carter, was the valedictorian of Walker High School’s class of 1959 in Coldwater, Mississippi. Describing her grandmother as an inspiration and role model, Nina acknowledged the support she received from her family, stating, "My grandma has always been an inspiration for me, and a role model. She’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s always bragged about me to her friends and has made me feel so loved."
Nina's father, Darren Mitchell, expressed pride in his daughter's accomplishments, emphasizing her kindness and respect towards others. He stated, "I know Nina has gotten a lot of attention for her academic achievement and leadership skills, but why I’m most proud of my daughter is she is a good person. She treats people with kindness and respect. She has a wonderful heart and is just a great human being."
Accepted to prestigious institutions including Harvard University, Stanford, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Nina has chosen the latter to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer as a business major.
