(CNN) — A Long Island teen who received acceptance letters from all eight Ivy League schools has decided where she’ll attend college in the fall.
Drum roll, please.
Surrounded by her classmates donning their own college choice T-shirts, Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna approached the podium and unzipped the black jacket she was wearing to reveal a crimson T-shirt revealing her decision: Harvard.
Uwamanzu-Nna said getting into all 12 schools she applied to has been an “exciting and surreal experience,” but making the final decision was not easy.
Uwamanzu-Nna said she approached the choice with an “open mind” but when it came down to selecting her school, Harvard’s “dedication to excellence .. in all students” stood out.
Uwamanzu-Nna, who is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, said the school’s “strong Nigerian presence” was also attractive.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of an exciting spring for Uwamanzu-Nna, who recently attended the White House Science Fair, where she got to meet President Obama.
She was also named her school’s valedictorian and was a finalist at the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search for her research on cement that could help prevent underwater oil rigs from rupturing.
“I stand before you exuberant, but also humbled by my recent accomplishments,” Uwamanzu-Nna said.
Uwamanzu-Nna is the second Elmont Memorial High School student in two years to gain acceptance at all eight Ivy League schools.
The class of 2015’s Harold Ekeh chose to attend Yale.
Elmont Principal Kevin Dougherty said hardworking students and families, a supportive community and administrations past and present deserve the credit for the school’s accomplishments.
They put their “blood, sweat and tears into making sure Elmont is successful and these kids reach their fullest potential.”
Uwamanzu-Nna echoed her principal’s sentiments, thanking God, her parents and the entire Elmont community for cultivating her into the young woman she has become.
“Words cannot accurately capture my feelings of gratitude,” she said.
The-CNN-Wire
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