Texas Teen Graduates With 6.9 GPA, Becomes Her High School’s First-ever Black Valedictorian

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Graduate Tobechukwu “Tobi” Phillips from Alvin High School in Alvin, Texas, is a trailblazer. The high-achieving student has become the first black valedictorian in her school’s 125-year history.

Tobi graduated in May 2019 with 6.9 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, placing her at the top of her class. Aside from her electives, Tobi studied advanced placement courses exclusively and was a straight-A student throughout her four-year high school career.

“Maintaining the highest GPA in my class is a difficult task,” Tobi explained, speaking to Because of Them We Can. “It truly takes time management, but more importantly acknowledging what you do it for. I know that I am no longer just representing myself.”

Alvin High School was first established in 1894 and integrated with African-American students in 1965. Of the school’s 2,800-strong student body, only 86 students are black.

Tobi is not just an academic success; she is a decorated volleyball and track star, a Sunday school teacher at her local church, a member of the Rho Kappa Honor Society, an advanced placement ambassador, and even the president of the National Honor Society.

Tobi’s track coach, Jennipher McGraw, spoke highly of her star student: “She is an excellent student from a loving family.”

On June 19, 2019, Tobi posted a photo on Facebook of herself dressed in her Alvin High cap and gown, grinning broadly while delivering the valedictorian’s graduation speech to her high school cohort.

According to Business Insider, after graduation, Tobi received the Full-Ride Forty Acre Scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin. It is UT’s most highly coveted scholarship; only 16 applicants out of 4,000 students were selected.

Speaking of her African-American academic peers, Tobi reflected: “My biggest advice to other scholars of color is to truly adopt the mindset of Rosa Parks; ‘No,’” Tobi told Because of Them We Can. “Do not conform to the stereotypes that have held us under thumbs for so long.

“Do not be discouraged when someone speaks out against you, simply allow what they say to fuel your fire,” the straight-A student continued. “But more than anything, do not remain tight-lipped. Stand up for what you believe in and take it upon yourself to be the change you’ve always wanted.

“Say ‘No’ to the ways of the world, and stick out.”

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Tobi joined UT’s Nursing School in the fall of 2019. Her goal for the future showcases both her academic ability and her generous spirit; Tobi plans to qualify as a pediatric nurse practitioner and run her own clinic for children.

Tobi was not the only African-American high school student to be named valedictorian in the state of Texas in 2019. For fellow trailblazer Kellin McGowan of Houston’s St. Thomas High School, his title is equally historic.

McGowan is the first black student to become valedictorian in his all-male Catholic school’s 119-year history. McGowan earned a 4.57 GPA and was more shocked than his peers by the announcement that he was top of the class.

“I was surprised,” McGowan admitted, speaking to KHOU. “[S]ome of my friends weren’t, but I was super shocked.

“People have these misguided notions as to what it means to be African-American. I just believe by seeing an African-American who’s done well at an institution like this, they can see there is more to us than what they think.”

Upon graduating, McGowan received the 2019 Albert R. Gaelens Award. He was vocal about his future goals, just as his Alvin High School compatriot had been; the ambitious teen wishes to study law at the University of Chicago.