A piercing scream rang through the house. She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. With a wide smile on her face, she read the letter over and over again.

It was true. In just a few months, senior Ifeoluwa Obayan would be attending one of the highest-ranked schools in the United States.

“I checked all of my Ivy League decisions, one after the other, and just to hear so much good news was very emotional for me,” Obayan said. “I was crying and laughing, off and on. There was just this feeling of disbelief and deep appreciation that God really came through for me.”

After four years of hard work, Obayan, the senior class valedictorian, has announced that she will be attending Harvard in the fall.

“In the months leading up to me finding out their (Harvard’s) decision, being accepted was an idea that I played around with in my head but I would immediately dismiss it, thinking it was very unlikely,” she said.

Obayan had been rejected by her first choice school, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); however, she said that it was a blessing in disguise.

“I don’t regret being rejected because I realized that going to such a specialized technical school wasn’t for me,” she said. “I have numerous academic interests and not just in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. I really want a chance to explore those in a place that is strong in all realms of study and fosters such exploration. Harvard is that place.”

Former AP World History teacher Kimberly Helfenbein said she was happy to hear the news.

“I was very excited for her, and (I) know she will excel (at) an Ivy League school,” Helfenbein said.

The majority of her expenses are paid for.

“Harvard is one of those top institutions that basically covers the financial cost as long as you are granted admission into the school,” she said. “They believe your financial status shouldn’t be a barrier to getting an amazing education. My goal has always been for my parents to pay nothing, and God answered my prayers.”

Despite her success, Obayan remains humble.

“I don’t think I have done anything particularly amazing, and I know for a fact that I am neither the smartest or the most talented person to be admitted,” she said. “In all that I did, I was passionate about it. That is what really shone through.”

She said that getting into college isn’t about getting accepted but about finding yourself.

“It’s really about your individual journey and how you make yourself stand out. There is no point in comparing yourself to others,” Obayan said. “No matter how perfect you are even as a well-rounded person rejection is still possible, so luck for some people, and for me, grace, really has a lot to do with it. All I can do is give all the glory to God.”

However, Helfenbein said that Obayan’s thirst for knowledge was always apparent.

“Her smile, kindness and her drive for excellence was always present,” she said. “Although academic competition was present in the senior class, they (were) so unique in their support for one another and their willingness to help each other. Ife exemplified this attitude and she often put others first and was willing to help them in any way possible.”

Helfenbein has only had one student attend Harvard before.

“I am very proud of Ife,” she said. “She has had such a tremendous impact on my life, and she will always be in my heart. I can’t wait to hear about the exciting things that she is going to experience in this next stage of life.”

In April, Obayan was able to go on a three-day visit to the campus.

“I am very proud to say that the Harvard Class of 2019 is amazing,” she said. “I have never met such interesting, insightful and humorous people in my life. It is unlike anything else how just starting a conversation with a simple ‘hi’ and exchanging names can lead to hearing people’s wonderful and touching stories. Making connections has never been so easy for me.”

Obayan said that she believes anyone could be in her shoes, it just takes work.

“Anything is possible,” she said. “Any one of the (students in the) Class of 2015 could be in my shoes, if they did all that I did to get there. It takes hard work, dedication, determination, sacrifice and prayer. You can’t say you want to go to Harvard or a top school and expect to put in no effort toward getting there.”
Though she often skipped Friday night football games or trips to the movies, she said it is now worth it.

“I will never forget those late nights throughout high school where I was almost to the point of tears because I was so tired and I wanted to stop working,” she said. “But I would always tell myself it will all be worth it in the end and it was.”

Obayan said that grit is the most important thing for any student that wishes to attend a school like Harvard.

“Please, when the going gets tough just keep going and don’t let people discourage you,” she said. “You don’t know how many disbelieving looks not to mention straight out condemnations I’ve gotten from random people, students and even teachers. Sure, they may just be trying to be realistic but at the same time, they act as obstacles in the way of your goal. Ignore them and do what you have to do. In the en