High School Student Makes History
Thursday, September 12, 2024
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Astonished, the dual enrollment student’s look of surprise melted into a smile as she learned that when she completed her requirements to earn the STLCC Honors Program Scholar designation at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley in just two semesters while still a junior in high school, she did something unheard of.
Majeed-Ali earned 15 hours of college credits at the honors level for research projects in chemistry, precalculus algebra, Spanish, and sociology when she was just 16 years old.
What’s more, Majeed-Ali maintained a 4.0 GPA in both her high school and collegiate coursework.
To administrators' knowledge, a student has never completed the challenging coursework required to earn STLCC's Honors Program Scholar designation – which normally takes four or more semesters to obtain – with such speed and excellence, and certainly not while still a junior in high school.
"It's crazy," said Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, EdD, campus president and chief academic officer of St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley.
"Nadyah did the equivalent of four undergraduate research projects, which is super impressive, faster than any other student we know of and while in high school," she said. "One of her projects even involved statistics and tracked certain populations in conjunction with Saint Louis University graduate students."
As Chris Kilbride, EdD, superintendent of the Ritenour School District, placed a golden chord that signifies Majeed-Ali is an honor student around her neck, he predicted that someday she will use the money she saved taking college courses at STLCC toward a doctorate degree.
Majeed-Ali will wear the chord with pride, knowing that when she walks across stage to receive an associate degree in general transfer studies from St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and high school diploma from Ritenour High School, she made history.
Majeed-Ali's mother, Tammy Majeed-Ali, is a former special education teacher. She said her daughter has always liked school.
"When Nadyah was five years old, she asked me, 'Is there such a thing as being a professional student? I want to go to school forever!' I told her school does cost money," she said.
Besides Majeed-Ali and her mother, the surprise recognition was a lift to other members of her supportive family, which includes her father, Sarhank Majeed-Ali, who is a landscaper, and brother, Yusuf Majeed-Ali, who is a student.
"By receiving the STLCC Honors Program Scholar designation, it sets a new bar for my success in my future career as an aerospace engineer,” she said. “This honor is only the beginning of many more accomplishments ahead.”
Majeed-Ali's success has the potential to earn her more accolades besides the Honors' chord, certificate, medal, donut treats, and other gifts she received during the surprise.
"You really should apply to Phi Theta Kappa, which is an international college honorary society for community college students," Perkins said. “Just being recognized as a member will automatically earn you a $1,000 scholarship or more from any university."
Majeed-Ali is waiting to learn if she is accepted into Missouri S&T. Either way, that scholarship money will come in handy this fall.
Image caption: Family and administrators congratulate Nadyah Majeed-Ali, center, and wish her well. From left to right: Simon Langrehr, Emerson STEM academy coordinator; Bailey Stock, dual credit/enrollment partnerships coordinator; Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, EdD, campus president; Tammy Majeed-Ali, Nadyah’s mother; Elida Kraja, honors coordinator and professor of accounting; Chris Kilbride, EdD, superintendent of the Ritenour School District; Cabrina Noonan, Ritenour High School college and career counselor; and Bruce Green, EdD, assistant superintendent of secondary education at the Ritenour School District.