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Guyanese teen heads to Harvard following acceptance to 21 universities in the US
Much like any regular teenager, New York based- Guyanese, Kelly Hyles is care- free,
Kelly following her interview at the Today Show.
fun-loving and enjoys listening to pop music, but although she appears ordinary on the surface, this teen has had the internet buzzing for weeks after her amazing feat of being accepted to 21 universities, across the US.
Harvard, Princeton, Pennsylvania and Yale Universities were among the eight Ivy League Schools, competing for the teen in the last few weeks.
However, Hyles has chosen to be a member of Harvard’s Class of 2020. She is expected to graduate about the same time as Malia Obama, daughter of US President, Barack Obama, who also elected to go to Harvard.
Given her academic achievement Hyles, who hails from Vryheid Lust, East Coast Demerara, has since been featured on a number of popular news channels and television shows in the US including CNN Today, People Magazine, Dailymail, the Steve Harvey Show, PIX11 News and the Today Show.
She has spoken extensively about how she managed to get accepted into the Ivy League Schools but was still willing to share the story of her home country, when Kaieteur News contacted her.
Kelly and her mom whom she says is her rock.
The 17 year-old speaks fondly of her homeland. Hyles said that her academic foundation in Guyana prepared her for school in the ‘Big Apple.’
“I was eleven, when I came to the United States and I believe that I was used to working hard in Guyana so it wasn’t a shock when I had to continue to work hard in America.”
The teenager shared her secret to success. She believes that resilience and determination are pivotal to any success story.
“It’s not always going to be a smooth road and there are going to be many obstacles in the way, but in the end, it is how you overcome those obstacles that make the difference.”
“I know where I want to go in life and I am aware of the amount of work that it requires, and I strive to give it my all.”
She also noted that her faith played a huge part in her success.
“I am obliged to thank God for his endless favour, for without Him, I could not have achieved this amazing feat.”
When faced with challenges, Hyles said her favourite mantra is “for every dark night, there is a brighter day,”- words of famed American rapper Tupac Shakur.
She is preparing for college and hopes to study Biochemistry and Neuroscience and take classes related to Political Science and Race Relations while at Harvard University.
“As of right now, I would like to become a Neurosurgeon and hope to continue to inspire others to reach their full potential, whether it is through mentorships or tutoring,” she said.
The teen noted that the past few weeks have been surreal.
She recalled that the moment she received the news, “I was actually at work checking my email, when I saw the letter of admission from Cornell (University). I opened it and it said congratulations and I was like I have to call my mom right away.”
Hyles said when she received the other acceptance letters she sat with her mother, Anetta Sealey, went through the mail in their living room. The High School student credits her mother for her work regiment.
She said that her mom works two jobs to support them.
Hyles currently attends the High School for Math, Science and Engineering in Harlem, one of New York’s nine specialized high schools. When she’s not studying or at Mt. Sinai Hospital doing research, she tutors students at her former Brooklyn middle school.
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