A teenager from South Los Angeles who once experienced homelessness has achieved remarkable success, becoming the valedictorian of his high school with an impressive 4.4 GPA. His sights are set on Ivy League schools.
Seventeen-year-old Lamont Newell shared that he was accepted into 65 colleges and has chosen to go to Columbia University on a full scholarship to pursue industrial engineering.
“I felt really proud,” Newell mentioned during an interview, expressing his disbelief at the prospect of attending an Ivy League school, especially in New York City.
Newell’s family faced challenges with homelessness until they settled in South Park, Los Angeles, where he discovered a passion for coding as a child.
“There were times we didn’t have a roof over our heads, but we had our car. We often ended up sleeping in a parking lot,” recounted Newell’s mother, Antanika Burns.
She described the struggles of being a single mother, having Lamont when she was just 21, yet she always believed in her son’s potential.
“As a parent, it’s crucial to recognize your child’s strengths. I knew early on that Lamont would do well academically,” Burns stated. “I might not have been able to navigate it all alone, but it was my responsibility to find the right support and resources.”
Newell’s achievements also include receiving offers from institutions like Dartmouth College and the University of Notre Dame. He is the first male in his family, which has been marked by gang violence and incarceration, to graduate from high school.
“This means more than just personal achievement; it’s significant for my entire family. It shows younger generations that there is a different path,” his mother reflected.
Newell expressed that he has worked diligently to inspire his younger brother, yet he still finds his achievements somewhat astonishing.
“You might feel trapped by your circumstances, but there’s always a way to reach your goals,” Newell remarked. He added, “I would have never thought we’d be in a situation like this.”
