Every graduate at the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy in Dallas is set to embark on a college journey, having secured scholarships. All 54 seniors from this unique institution will be heading to college, collectively earning over $15 million in scholarship funding.
The achievement is particularly remarkable, as it is uncommon for an entire graduating class to attain a 100% college acceptance rate, let alone earn scholarships for every member. This year’s Class of 2026 at the Dallas Independent School District has accomplished just that.
Principal Derek Thomas, who is in his second year at the academy, attributes the students’ success to a supportive and motivating environment. He emphasizes that the academy fosters a sense of brotherhood among the students, who encourage and uplift one another in their pursuit of success.
In an interview, Thomas stated, “Our brothers are motivated. They understand that there’s a higher expectation beyond just high school. We have the privilege of guiding them from sixth grade all the way through to their graduation year in 12th grade.”
Among the graduates, Brandon Hawkins and Angel Velasquez shared their aspirations. Hawkins will attend the University of Chicago to study finance and real estate, while valedictorian Velasquez is bound for Princeton, where he plans to focus on computational biology and bioinformatics.
Both young men are motivated by personal experiences that shape their career goals. Velasquez, who has a rare degenerative eye condition called keratoconus, aims to research genomic solutions for those affected by similar diseases. Hawkins, having experienced significant childhood mobility across multiple elementary schools, seeks to ensure that families in economically challenging situations receive the support they need.
The graduation ceremony on May 30 will mark a significant milestone for these students and their families, celebrating their hard work and dedication as they move forward into higher education.
