Teen graduated with 4.7 GPA and made history as the first African-American male valedictorian

A teen made history becoming the first African-American male valedictorian graduating with a 4.7 GPA.

Rawlin Tate, Jr. graduated from Woodland High School, holding the highest grade point average in his senior class. Not only he was in the role of the valedictorian, but his high grade also helped him earn more than $1.2 million in scholarship.

While studying at Woodland High School, Rawlin took 21 advanced placement courses and aced all of his subjects. He is now the first African-American male to hold the highest academic title at his school since it opened in 2007.

In an interview for Good Morning America, the brilliant teenage boy said:

“The title, I don’t think about it that much. I know it’s significant, but I’ve just been doing what I’ve been doing [throughout] my schooling.”

The boy adds that he has always been a high achiever, but he never really experienced such an honor.

His father, Rawlin Tate, proudly said:

“I see it as a benchmark for other males and not only at Woodland, but at other locations. Rawlin succeeded in extracurricular and academics. This is the opportunity for other men to [say], ‘Hey, being smart is OK.'”

Shannon Ellis, Woodland High School’s principal, describes Tate Jr. as an accomplished pianist and a self-taught percussionist. Moreover, the boy-wonder has also played varsity tennis and football, and according to Ellis, is an ‘artful rapper’. The school’s principal added:

“He is brilliant, talented, a musical genius, and is one of the most well-rounded students that I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with.”

To celebrate his great accomplishment, Rawlin posted a remix of Soulja Boy’s song “Pretty Boy Swag” on Twitter.

#ncat #NCAT23 #valedictorian #BlackExcellence
1. First African American male Valedictorian in Woodland History
2. “4.7 GPA I just secured the bag”🤪
3. #1 of my class for 7 years STRAIGHT
4. A Georgia Scholar
5. Over 1.2 million dollars in scholarships pic.twitter.com/lklhMVZjgp

— Rawlin Tate Jr. (@iammercenary) May 20, 2019

The talented boy’s ‘swag’ is his remarkable 4.7 GPA score.

But how did he achieve so much?

He shares his secret is his lively curiosity:

“I always asked questions, I always stayed for tutoring. I was that kid that always asked for that extra point, and people would ask, ‘Why you asking for that extra point?’ Because I want it basically.”

With his excellent results, the Georgia Scholar, given this title by the Georgia Department of Education, earned 14 college acceptance letters to schools like Ohio State, Florida A&M University, Georgia Tech, Morehouse, Howard, Rose Hulman, Hampton, University of Georgia, North Carolina A&T, and Tuskegee amongst others.

Tate decided to take his bright mind to North Carolina A&T. He’s attending on a full academic scholarship and is planning to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.