High School Students From Gary, Indiana, Set To Achieve Bachelor’s Degrees This Spring

Abram Lewis and Khaya Njumbe, both high school students from Gary, Indiana, are poised to achieve a significant milestone this spring: earning their bachelor’s degrees.

The two Geo Academy’s 21st Century Charter School students, ages 15 and 17, have exceeded their required secondary academic coursework to achieve such a high level of success. Lewis and Njumbe shared their journey and thoughts about entering college life as high schoolers with WISH.

The head start in college the teens have received is “surreal,” Lewis said. “Around campus, a lot of people were shocked when they saw me, especially when I was much younger,” Njumbe told the outlet. Njumbe said people often thought he was the “professor’s son or something of that sort.” Little did the collegegoers know that he was their peer. The young scholar’s mother was not surprised with the success and high honor because of the opportunities available in America, she said.

Lewis noted that juggling the course load has been rigorous for them both. However, while dedicating time to attend and study for high school and college courses, the teens balance their academic careers with their lives outside of school. Njumbe plays basketball and is involved in gymnastics, which has been attributed to adequate time management. “It’s all down to time management I guess,” Njumbe said.

Between them, the two students have four associate’s degrees and received high honors from a coalition of Black leaders in Indianapolis. Lewis has followed in his sister’s footsteps, who also received her associate’s degree in high school.

The teens both have their eyes set on medical school. Njumbe told the outlet the next step is to enroll in a Master of Public Health program, and he eventually wants to become an orthopedic surgeon. 

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