As the first Black valedictorian of Albany High School since 1868, Onovu Otitigbe-Dangerfield, a senior there, has made history.
Onuvu told WNYT, “I think that just being able to be valedictorian is a tremendous accomplishment.
I’m in a pretty fortunate situation, but it also has some historical significance.
I now have the chance to live by the adage, “If you can see it, you can be it,” because there are many pupils in my school who resemble me.
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She has a GPA that is almost flawless and is quite active in a number of extracurricular activities.
She is a member of the soccer team, the Select Choir, and the Jazz Improve Band where she plays violin and piano.
She is also the President of the robotics team, President of the Key Club, and the Editor-in-Chief of the school’s online newspaper.
When she’s not at school on weekends, she also goes to work at a nursing home. She credits all these activities to providing her a broader perspective in life.
“She is definitely a treasure,” said Ellen Hurley Green, who was Onovu’s guidance counselor in middle school.
Since I’ve lived in the district for 30 years, I can’t say that I’ve ever witnessed someone who exhibits such composure, grace, and humility, as well as such shine in all she does.
Onuvu has also received acceptance letters from a number of colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Georgia Tech, among others.
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