New Orleans Teen Awarded $9 Million In College Scholarships, Accepted To 170 Colleges

Louisiana High School Senior Accepted to Over 170 Colleges and Awarded $9 Million in Scholarships

Dennis Barnes, a senior at International High School of New Orleans, has been accepted to over 170 colleges and awarded more than $9 million in scholarships so far. And the best part? He’s still receiving acceptance letters and scholarship offers every day!

Breaking Records and Pursuing Dreams

Barnes hopes to break the current record for most scholarships ever awarded, which currently sits at $9.4 million. With his impressive GPA of 4.98 and fluency in Spanish, he plans to pursue a dual degree in computer science and criminal justice. Although he hasn’t decided on which college to attend, he will announce his decision before graduation.

Devotion and Diligence

Barnes credits his success to his devotion and diligence in his studies. “I submitted college applications in August, with an eye on raising the bar high for college admissions. Decision letters were an overflow in my mailbox and hundreds of scholarship offers,” he told WWL. Despite not always being a straight-A student, Barnes realized the path he was heading down and rolled his momentum to end up farther than he ever thought he would’ve been.

Faith and Advice

Barnes also attributes his success to his faith. “I am a God-fearing young man; I keep God first,” he said. His advice to other students looking to succeed is to prioritize their education and keep God in the mix.

Proud and Purposeful

Barnes’s mother, Reba Barnes, is not surprised by her son’s success. “He’s always been diligent and purposeful in everything he does,” she said. Barnes is proud of himself and his accomplishments, especially as a black man. “It stands out,” he said.

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Breaking Records and Inspiring Others

Barnes’s success is not only breaking records but also inspiring others. The current scholarship money record was set by Normandie Cormier in 2019, who was accepted into 139 colleges. Cormier is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Louisiana State University. With his impressive achievements, Barnes is sure to make a positive impact on the world.