Entire Graduating Class of Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Accepted into College

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - It’s an accomplishment of a new level when an entire class is accepted into college. That’s the reality for the 2024 graduating class of Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW).

“The fact that we get all of them to be accepted to college, it’s a momentous occasion for us,” GLOW’s Dean of Students Askia Kirby said. “We always say we never leave a sister behind and we truly mean that. When somebody is falling behind whether it’s in academics or at home, we all step in to support and help.”

Besides 100% of the students being accepted into universities, 75% of the students will also be the first in their families to go to college.

“It means so much because as parents, as family members, we always say we want our children to do better than we did,” Kirby said. “These children are doing that. They’re laying the legacy their parents have set for them and moving forward and going off to school.”

One of those first-generation college students is Valery Montes Cruz. She wasn’t always sure college would be in the cards for her.

“Before I started at GLOW I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do with my life or how I could even afford college,” Cruz said. “They inspired me to pursue things that I wouldn’t think to pursue before coming to this school.”

Not only did Cruz get accepted to college, but she earned a full-ride scholarship to Elon University. Combined, the students earned $1.6 million in merit scholarships to various colleges and universities.

“I feel like it’s because of all the support and all of the encouragement that we get here,” Cruz said.

Like most of the parents at graduation, Cruz’s mom Amelia was beaming with pride.

“I know she’s a smart girl, I know she can do it,” Amelia Cruz said. “I don’t know what else to say, I’m just so proud of her.”

Kirby said he wasn’t surprised at all when he heard of Cruz’s big achievement.

“For her to get a full-ride, you want to say ‘I’m shocked,’ but I’m not when you have such a wonderful student that is always representing herself, her family, her school well,” Kirby said. “It just seemed like it was going to happen.”

Cruz said she’ll forever be thankful to the school for making her realize all of her biggest dreams were within her reach.

“What makes my story unique is I didn’t really think I would make it. Just being here, finding my community, finding my teachers, finding people who support and encourage me every day instead of bringing me down,” Cruz said. “It’s going to be kind of scary because I’ve been here for so long. I don’t know how everything else will be, but I’m excited to take this new step.”

This was GLOW’s second class of graduates since the founders opened the doors in 2016 with a class of sixth-grade students. WECT’s Frances Weller was the keynote speaker at the 2024 commencement ceremony.