Long Island Student Accepted To All Ivy League Schools

Chaminade student Jude Okonkwo has been accepted to all eight Ivy League schools.

Okonkwo, a Dix Hills resident, has received acceptance letters to Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Yale University — but he's still deciding where he's going to go.

"It's a tremendous honor to gain acceptance to all eight Ivy League schools," Okonkwo said. "It's something I never could have imagined."

The son of Nigerian immigrants, Okonkwo wants to study medicine and is leaning toward Harvard because of that. His desire to study medicine began at a young age when, just 6 years old and living in New Orleans, he and his family survived Hurricane Katrina.

"Hospitals were severely impacted by the storm while so many people needed so much help," Okonkwo recalled. "It motivated me to serve as a summer lifeguard for the disabled after we moved to New York. My parents enrolled me in swimming lessons after seeing the powerful flood waters Katrina brought ashore, and I realized I could use swimming to help people."

Okonkwo, naturally, has led a very impressive school life. He is the editor of the Chaminade newspaper, president of the school's glee club, editor-in-chief of the school's literary magazine, a member of the National Honor Society and is also on the school's varsity track team.

His accomplishments extend outside the classroom as well. Okonkwo wrote and self-published a book, "A Journey Through Poetry," which is available on Amazon.

"Tragedies occur in everyday life, and I want to be someone who can help a person and their family heal in their times of need," Okonkwo said.

Okonkwo's superiors at the school also sang his praises.

"Jude is a model Chaminade Man – a man who does the right thing at the right time because it's the right thing to do, regardless of who is watching," said Chaminade President Bro. Thomas Cleary. "We cannot wait to see the incredible things Jude will continue to do with his life. He has already stunned us with his remarkable talent and compassion for his fellow man. Our Chaminade Family will remain with him every step of the way."

Jude Okonkwo, left, and Chaminade President Bro. Thomas Cleary. Photo: Chaminade High School