BX middle school staff donates money to student accepted to Harvard program

Teachers and staff at Democracy Prep Charter Middle School went above and beyond for a student who they say goes above and beyond every day.

News 12 Staff

Jun 11, 2019, 11:33 AM

Updated 1,780 days ago

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Teachers and staff at Democracy Prep Charter Middle School went above and beyond for a student who they say goes above and beyond every day.
Luqmaan Bamba dreams of being a software engineer and has a 93.9 average as of last month.

Bamba’s goal each day is to be at the top of his class, making sure to excel in each of his classes.
Most of his teachers know this about him, including his science teacher who nominated him for a coding program at Harvard University. 

A day after being nominated, he was accepted into the five-day summer coding program at the university.
When Bamba received his acceptance letter he says he was in awe.
"Obviously bewildered because, you know, it's Harvard University,” says Bamba.

However, after looking into it, he realized the program cost $2,700, a lot for his family. 

“Our staff immediately jumped in and a GoFundMe was created and within hours the goal was accomplished,” says Leader U resident, Alrica Rickards.
Current staff and former teachers who no longer work at the school all made sure Bamba was able to take advantage of the opportunity. One teacher even donated $725. 

“It sort of showed me how much people will support you if you show them your capabilities and potential,” says Bamba.
While he says he doesn't know how to thank all of these people, his teacher has some advice. 

“The only way you can thank them is go to that program, represent this school and work as hard as you can to get whatever you can out of that experience,” says Rickards.

Bamba will be heading to Harvard at the end of June, learning the skills he needs to fulfill his dream one day.


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