As he walks up to the podium with the eyes of his fellow classmates behind him as well as the audience’s attention on him, Valedictorian Justice Njoku mentally prepares himself for his speech and his near future at Stanford University.

“It was about junior year when I decided Stanford was my number one,” he said.

Debate Coach Michelle McKissic said she supports his decision to attend Stanford.

“Not only is it an esteemed school, but it is a lovely campus in the backdrop of a beautiful city,” she said.

Njoku was drum major for the school band during football season and also plays saxophone.

“It is an award for him to attend that school for all of his hard work done over the year,” Band Director Paul Heuer said.

Njoku was also involved in his academics and extracurricular activities like National Honor Society.

“It (takes) organization, communication and a lot of hard work,” he said.

McKissic said that Njoku, who was also a National Achievement Scholarship winner, is much more than meets the eye.

“Justice has the capability, charm and candor to achieve whatever he sets his mind to and doesn’t allow his limited flaws to thwart,” she said.

Heuer said in the classroom, Njoku is usually quiet and always seems to be thinking.

“He is a generally soft-spoken individual that can be commonly seen working through things in his own mind,” he said.

McKissic said she knows Njoku will have a bright future.

“He’s a crazy, talented and bright individual with the world at his fingertips,” she said.

Njoku said all the hard work he had to do was worth it.

“It took a lot of late nights,” he said. “It’s stressful, but in the end it pays off.”