Maliq Barnes has done something extraordinary. This Louisiana senior from the International High School of New Orleans has broken a national record for the most scholarships offered to a graduating student. He has been accepted to 175 colleges and universities, and more than 125 different schools have offered him over $9 million in scholarships, a national record, according to his school.
Barnes has been determined to succeed ever since he started at International, but he never imagined breaking a national record. He credits his success to hard work and sticking to his goals. His academic accomplishments are impressive, having maintained an above 4.0 grade point average and being a candidate for the Principal Honor Roll during his time at IHSNO. In addition, he participated in extracurricular activities, such as track and football.
Moreover, while attending high school, Barnes was enrolled at the Southern University of New Orleans for the past two years to gain college credits. Barnes plans to pursue a dual major in computer science and criminal justice in the future.
However, Barnes’s accomplishments don’t stop there. He has also secured an internship with the Louisiana State Bar Association and a teaching job with Breakthrough New Orleans for the summer. “I’m not sure what grade I’m going to be teaching yet. I hope to be teaching math. But I definitely look forward to that,” he said.
Barnes’s achievements serve as an inspiration to students across the country, showing that hard work and determination can lead to incredible success. Barnes plans to use his scholarships to pursue his passion for learning and expanding his knowledge of the world. “It feels good to have those options, but I’m still thinking about what the next step is going to be for me,” Barnes said.
As Barnes prepares for graduation and for the summer break, he is excited to spend time with his 14-year-old sister and continue to work towards his goals. His accomplishments make him an excellent role model for other students who aspire to achieve success.
