A year after her transcript was leaked, Raylynn Thompson was sought out in a store by a random white woman who said Black people couldn't become valedictorians.
Fast forwarded months later and the 18-year-old is proving naysayers wrong by becoming valedictorian of Muskogee High School's 2019 graduating class.
Muskogee senior was told a black girl couldn't be valedictorian. Now she's No. 1 in her class, accepted at more than 62 colleges https://t.co/xTV5sdCbDj via @grimwood_hmg
#oklaed
pic.twitter.com/49aLcbSFx4— Tulsa World (@tulsaworld) April 11, 2019
According to Tulsa World, Thomas is graduating with a 4.7 GPA and was recognized as number one in her class on Wednesday. Sadly, this isn't the first instance where others have diminished her hard work.
"That’s not the only racist comments I've heard … I just use those kinds of things to propel me," Thompson told Tulsa World. "If you say I can't do something, I'm going to go ahead and do it just to prove you wrong. I'm not going to let your words define me."
It appears the unidentified critic was wrong from the beginning. While simultaneously praising Thompson, Muskogee High School Principal Kim Fleak said there have been Black valedictorians in the school's past.
"I really think a lot of it is just intrinsic that she just wants to be the best she can be — she wants to help others, as well," Fleak said.
Thompson has been accepted to 64 colleges, totaling $1 million in scholarship money. Despite earning acceptance to schools such as the University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University, Thompson confirmed she is enrolling at Alcorn State University, an HBCU in Lorman, Mississippi.
"Alcorn State not only offered me a full-ride (scholarship), they have the most undergraduates that go off to medical school," Thompson said, via The Claremore Daily Progress. "I know that they're preparing their students fully for the future."
Having witnessed a sibling who spent some time in the hospital after they were born with health issues, Thompson said she plants to study biology and neonatology, an area of pediatric care with an interest for ill or premature babies.
"I got to see all the babies, and I knew that was something I wanted to be around," Thompson said to Tulsa World. "Not because they were cute … but because they have their whole life ahead of them."
As for the woman who approached Thompson? The future college freshman says she's more than welcomed to attend her graduation.
"If you say I can't do something, I’m going to go ahead and do it just to prove you wrong," Thompson said. "I’m not going to let your words define me."
Let's hope said critic will be mindful of her remarks in the future. Congratulations, Raylynn!
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