Aaron Williams, a recent graduate of Bogan High School on Chicago’s South Side, is making headlines after being accepted into 83 colleges and earning more than $8 million in scholarship offers.
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The 18-year-old Beverly native set a goal as a freshman to become valedictorian—and achieved it. With a perfect GPA, strong test scores, and unwavering drive, Aaron applied to more than 100 schools and was flooded with acceptance letters and scholarship offers.
Aaron is the youngest of seven children and says he was inspired by a sibling who earned $1 million in scholarships. Determined to go even further, he credits his family, school counselors, and community mentors for helping him stay focused and reach his goals.
He’s chosen to attend Northern Illinois University on a full-ride scholarship, where he plans to study electrical engineering. True to form, Aaron already has his next goal in mind: becoming valedictorian at NIU.
His journey is a powerful example of what’s possible with preparation, persistence, and community support.
