Breaking Barriers: Onovu Otitigbe-Dangerfield Shatters 152-Year-Old Record to Become Albany High School’s First-Ever Black Valedictorian
Speaking about her groundbreaking achievement, Onovu expressed her overwhelming feelings, especially knowing that her success has resonated with Black girls from other schools. She shared that being the first black valedictorian is not just a personal victory but a win for her community. "I feel a responsibility now. I’m not only representing myself. I’m representing a group of people," she said.
AKACHI NOEL 
In a historic achievement, 17-year-old Onovu Otitigbe-Dangerfield has made history by becoming the first-ever black valedictorian at Albany High School in New York, breaking a remarkable 152-year-old record. Graduating with a stellar 4.0 GPA in 2021, Onovu's exceptional academic performance and dedication have not only earned her the prestigious award but also inspired and motivated fellow students.
Speaking about her groundbreaking achievement, Onovu expressed her overwhelming feelings, especially knowing that her success has resonated with Black girls from other schools. She shared that being the first black valedictorian is not just a personal victory but a win for her community. "I feel a responsibility now. I’m not only representing myself. I’m representing a group of people," she said.
During her time at Albany High School, Onovu left an indelible mark, serving as the president of multiple school clubs, co-captain of the soccer team, and co-editor-in-chief of the digital school newspaper. Her passion for robotics and her engagement in engineering classes have contributed to her pre-engineering diploma.
Onovu's mother, Jessica Otitigbe, expressed her joy at her daughter's record-breaking success, highlighting Onovu's curiosity, respect, empathy, humility, and strong work ethic. Jessica, an alumna of Albany High School herself, described the achievement as beyond amazing and expressed pride in her daughter.
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In the next phase of her academic journey, Onovu has applied to over 20 colleges in the United States and has been accepted into prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Boston University, Northeastern, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, and more. With aspirations to specialize in robot-assisted procedures in pediatric neurosurgery, Onovu sees her position as the first black valedictorian as an honor and a responsibility, hoping that she will not be the last.
The extraordinary achievements of Onovu Otitigbe-Dangerfield underscore the importance of breaking barriers, fostering diversity, and inspiring future generations. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for students facing similar challenges, emphasizing that excellence knows no boundaries.
