An 18-year-old African-American boy named Aaron Williams has achieved exceptional success at Bogan High School in Chicago, Illinois, emerging as the valedictorian of the institution’s 2025 class.

Aaron not only graduated as the top student but also earned an astonishing $8 million in scholarships after receiving acceptance letters from over 80 colleges and universities across the United States.

And he is still receiving letters, as he has been accepted into 83 schools so far, with more responses still arriving.

Reflecting on his achievement, Aaron shared that his success was the result of countless late nights spent completing applications and the unwavering support of his community.

“To know that actually hours of me applying for these scholarships and having to log on my school links and just putting in effort and having a community to support me and guide me through this whole process, it’s kind of relieving to know that it actually paid off in the long run,” he said.

Aaron’s drive began on his very first day of high school, setting a clear goal. He walked into Bogan High School, determined to graduate at the top of his class and told his principal exactly that.

Four years later, with straight A’s in every class, he proudly fulfilled the promise he made to himself and his school.

As the youngest of seven 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, Aaron also found motivation in a friendly sibling rivalry. One of his older siblings had earned $1 million in scholarships, and Aaron set out to surpass that record, which he crushed by earning eight times as much.

Aaron’s mother, Ericka Smith, also credits his success to the people around him. “He is who he is because of community, because of principals who cared, because of those biological aunts that cared, the non-biological ones,’ she said.

Looking ahead, Aaron will proceed to Northern Illinois University in the fall. The school awarded him a full-ride scholarship to study for a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

Aaron stated that his ambition does not stop yet. He has already set his sights on graduating at the top of his college class as well, carrying forward the same determination that has defined his journey so far.