Devante Bledsoe, a senior at Independence High School, has been accepted into college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Georgia Tech, and Columbia University.

He has decided to accept a full scholarship to Columbia, says Jeff Jones, media specialist at Independence.

Here is what some of Devante’s teachers said of him:

---“Devante immerses himself in learning outside of the regular school year. Last summer he participated in Project SEED at UNC Charlotte, where he worked with undergraduate and graduate students as they researched monodisperse colloidal particles. The summer before that, he volunteered in Panama through AFS Intercultural Programs, where he helped to build chairs, tables and doors for a local school. He took Spanish classes while he was there and lived with a host family and participated in their daily lives.” Shelley Matthews, mathematics teacher

---“He has talked about MIT and Columbia since he was a freshman. We always knew that Devanta would be destined for greatness!” Syndie Fleener, director, Academy of International Studies

---“What was unique about Devonte was the level of commitment he exercised in assisting other students. He never flaunted his intelligence or made others around him feel less-than. ‘Arrogance’ and ‘Devonte’ will probably never be in the same sentence.” Delisha Covington, business education teacher

---“Devante is one of the most diligent and hardworking students I have had the pleasure to teach. He's conscientious and always wears a smile, both in and out of class. His ambitions are set high, and I have no doubt that he will be able to meet and exceed them.” Katie Willett, history teacher

---“Devonte is a bright young man with an amazing future in front of him. I am so proud of him. It is a pleasure to work with him.” Mark Bosco, principal

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