High School Senior Breaks National Record With 125 Scholarship Offers

New Orleans has produced its fair share of talent. The list includes the likes of Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Clint Smith, Jay Electronica, and Sandra Broom. Up next, is Dennis Barens, a senior at International High School of New Orleans.

According to 4WWL, Barnes set a national record by receiving scholarship offers from 125 universities, adding to more than $9 million. The report also adds that Barnes’ scholarship offers are more than any high school senior has ever received in the History of the United States. 

Barnes applied to 200 schools across the U.S. but has yet to decide on where he will begin his career as a collegiate scholar. He will decide on May 2nd,  according to 4WWL. 

“I submitted college applications in August, with an eye on raising the bar high for college admissions. Decision letters were an overflow in my mailbox and hundreds of scholarship offers,” Barnes said, cited by 4WWL. 

Black educators in New Orleans intent on “raising the bar” isn’t new. Ruby Bridges was only 6 years old when she was thrust into the civil rights movement when she Black person to integrate a public school in the Deep South. Bridges was escorted to school by federal officers.

Barnes is planning to double major in computer science and criminal justice. Since his junior year at the International High School of New Orleans, Barnes has been dual enrolled at the Southern University of New Orleans. As an incoming freshman, at whatever university he decides to attend, Barnes will already have college credits. 

Dr. Adierah Berger, Head of the School for the International High School of New Orleans, said success is about having a vision.  

“The road to a successful future is to plan ahead, network with the collegiate partners, and know that If you can see your vision, you can achieve your goal,” Berger said to 4WWL.