A soon-to-be high school graduate, Dennis Barnes, is celebrating his newest achievement of receiving offers from over 125 institutions totaling more than $9 million in scholarships.
While many have achieved this academic success before him, Barnes’ overall scholarship total of $9 million and college offers officially make him the only high school senior in U.S. history to receive this accolade.
“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,” Barnes told WWLTV.
Barnes will graduate from the International High School of New Orleans in June and plans to make his college decision on May 2. Barnes’ total amount could easily incline as IHSNO told WWLTV college and university offers are still rolling in for the senior — the New Orleans native hopes to receive $10 million in offers before his decision date.
IHSNO has submitted Barnes’s historical achievement to the Guinness Book of World Records. The previous Guinness recorded entry was held by a Lafayette high school senior who received over $8.7 million in scholarships in 2019.
Barnes is an overachiever with a GPA of 4.98 and was heavily involved in the National Honor Society. His studies have allowed him to be fluent in Spanish and have earned him an official qualification from the Institute Cervantes on behalf of Spain’s Ministry of Education.
Barnes’ hard work and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed by community leaders. Maria Pagee, Honorary Consul of Spain in New Orleans, recently awarded Barnes the Jose Luis Baños Award.
Dr. Adierah Berger, Head of School for IHSNO, told WWLTV Barnes was deeply inspired by his college admissions counselor Denise James. As a result, Barnes plans to enroll as a double major studying computer science and criminal justice.
“The road to a successful future is to plan ahead, network with the collegiate partners, and know that if you can see your vision, you can achieve your goal,” Barnes told students applying to college next year.
Barnes is sure to soar through college as he prepared for the workload by enrolling at the Southern University of New Orleans for the past two years. While at the university, Barnes earned college credits while pursuing his high school diploma. Barnes is set to graduate from IHSNO on May 24.
