Black Student Born With Heart Defect Earns $2.5M in Scholarships, Accepted to 61 Colleges

Kyanna Woods, an African American student from Concord, North Carolina who was born with a heart defect that required open heart surgery as an infant, has graduated at the top of her class with scholarship offers of over $2.5 million from dozens of universities.

Born with two holes in her tiny heart, Woods underwent a life-saving open heart surgery when she was just 3 months old.

Open heart surgery, a major surgical procedure performed to correct various cardiovascular conditions, can significantly impact an individual’s life beyond the immediate recovery period.

Despite her doctors’ warnings that she may face difficulties with walking, sports, and learning, Woods defied all odds, excelling not only academically but also in sports.

She graduated as valedictorian at Cabarrus Charter School in Concord and recently earned her associate’s degree. She has so far received acceptance letters from 61 colleges, including Xavier University of Louisiana, University of South Carolina, Spelman College, and Appalachian State University.

Her parents, William and Kourtney, expressed how proud they are of their daughter, who is often called a “miracle child.”

“It’s just a blessing to see what she can do and what she has done,” her mom told WCNC.

Woods attributes her incredible achievements to her faith and the support of her loving family.

“They are super important. I love all of them to death,” Kyanna said. “They are my unwavering cheerleaders when I need the motivation.”

Woods has chosen to attend Xavier University of Louisiana, an HBCU, where she will pursue pre-med studies in psychology, courtesy of the valedictorian scholarship.

This news was first reported on and first appeared on blacknews.com.