West Orange Student Accepted To Harvard, Thanks School and Family

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A West Orange High School senior has received an early acceptance to Harvard University, school administrators say.

Abraham Dada – who attended Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, Edison, Liberty and West Orange High School - got word of his monumental scholastic achievement last week. The enterprising student plans to major in cellular biology, school officials said.

Dada has an older brother Andrew (WOHS Class of 2015), who is a sophomore at Temple University studying biomedical engineering. He also has seven-year-old siblings Mary Esther and Emmanuel who attend Mt. Pleasant.

“I didn't finish any application for other schools because I was going to wait on my Harvard decision before sending out other applications that were due Jan. 1,” Dada said.

• See related article: Verona Student Accepted to 7 of 8 Ivy League Universities Chooses Harvard

The senior said that he’s grateful for his acceptance into Harvard and appreciative of his education in West Orange.

“I'm blessed with wonderful teachers and coaches who have guided me throughout my learning experience,” Dada said. “I'm also thankful for my friends who have motivated me throughout high school and have offered me support along the way like Austin Bartola and Derek Lim. Most importantly I'm thankful for my family. My parents have been so involved and helpful throughout all of my endeavors.”

Here are just a few of Dada’s achievements:

• Co-founder and captain of the Science Olympiad team
• Varsity wrestler
• Class council president
• Executive board member of the Unity Club
• Is a “Mountaineer Mentor”
• Belongs to five honor societies: math, science, Escriptus, the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society (vice-president)
• Played baritone sax as a member of the WOHS award-winning marching band
• Participated on the Math Team and Poetry Out Loud

School officials said that Dada is enthusiastic about the futures of his fellow seniors as well.

“I would like to give a huge shout out to the rest of my senior class,” Dada said. “They are all extremely talented and intellectual individuals who will be successful in whatever they pursue.”

“We are so proud of Abraham,” Director of Guidance Cheryl Butler said.“His guidance counselor Anna D’Elia worked very closely with the admission's officer to ensure his acceptance and is currently working with the financial aid department at Harvard.”

Photo: Cynthia Cumming, WOHS

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