This fall, 331 students from T.C. Williams will be heading off to college, several of whom will be going to some of the top colleges in the United States. Here is a peek into the stories of a handful of this year’s graduates.
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Celeste Claudio Princeton University Celeste’s interest in neuroscience, the study of the structure or function of the nervous system and brain, was inspired by an AP Biology class and a unit on the neuron, which she took this year.”I wanted to go into the sciences but I was not sure what type of science. I’m really interested in the hard science behind psychological things, so neuroscience is perfect for me. I can still be involved in psych but with a focus concrete things,” said Celeste. |
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Brooke Teferra Stanford University“There were more computers than kids in our home. When I was 13, my parents blocked all of the TV-watching sites and said that we could not watch TV until we got around all of their firewalls,” said Brooke.Challenges like this from her parents, who are both in the computer science field, are what steered this life-long ACPS student towards computer science as a potential major. |
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Nana Adwoa Osei-Bonsu The George Washington University A Titan since tenth grade, Nana’s African roots have shaped her passion for helping others and her future aspirations.”I have liked biology since I was little. Coming from an African country and seeing the disparity between the health facilities here in the United States and the ones back home, I want to do something that would bring advancement to developing countries,” said Nana, a biological studies major with a minor in public health who is on a pre-med track. |
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Subinuer Aikebaier University of Virginia Subinuer moved to the United States from Western China when she was in the ninth grade. She credits the International Academy at T.C., along with friends and teachers, for helping her adjust to her new environment. She will be adjusting to a new environment again this fall when she heads south to U.V.A. on a pre-med track.”When I first got here, I didn’t know anything about the classes, what to pick and what would be good for me. The International Academy helped me to learn the content better and get better grades and it helped students to get to know each other better,” said Subinuer. |
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Francy Cabrera-Paz University of Richmond Francy is a first generation college student who describes herself as a competitive student who wants to always be learning. Francy is leaning towards biology and is on a pre-med track, but plans to take time to figure out what she likes best.”I have always wanted to make my parents proud. I want to be the person who breaks the cycle. Usually when a parent doesn’t go to college, their children don’t go to college and I wanted to break that cycle,” said Francy. |
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Chris Waddell Virginia Military Institute The first to go to college on his dad’s side of the family, Chris is keeping stride with other family members who have served in the military. The military aspect of the school and the focus provided in a highly structured environment are appealing to this psychology major and football player.”I am looking forward to the strict discipline that will help me become a better man and a better citizen for the community. This helps set me up for greater things in life and paves the way for my little brothers,“ said Chris. |
See the students talk about how their experiences at T.C. Williams helped prepare them for college:
ACPS 2020 Strategic Plan Goal:
Academic Excellence and Educational Equity: Every student will be academically successful and prepared for life, work, and college.