A young South African student has been accepted to study at Harvard University – one of the most prestigious higher-learning institutes in the world!
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (17 February 2021) – The Westville Girls’ High School (WGHS) student has been accepted to study at Harvard University and will be taking up residence at the prestigious Ivy League school later this year.
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, clergyman John Harvard, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. Harvard has more alumni, faculty, and researchers who have won Nobel Prizes (161) and Fields Medals (18) than any other university in the world!
The WGHS community announced the incredible news that Colombe Cynthia Obono Eyono has been accepted as a Harvard scholar and will pursue her academic career in the USA later in 2021.
“During her time at Westville Girls’ High School, Colombe has excelled in many areas of school life, most notably in her academic pursuits. She has been placed in 1st position in Grade for all 5 years of her schooling and has maintained an A-aggregate (80% or above) throughout.”
At the Grade 12 Valedictory Ceremony, Colombe achieved subject prizes in six of her seven subjects and received recognition for her command of languages as she achieved the top mark in both English Home Language and in Afrikaans First Additional Language.
In addition, she was awarded the Westville Lions Good Fellowship award, which was voted for by her peers. This demonstrates the high regard in which she is held by staff and learners at our school.
“Since Grade 8, Colombe has been active in the school’s extra-curricular programme, with her main focus on Debating, Public Speaking, Creative Writing and Olympiads. In her Grade 10 year, she was selected for our Senior Debating team – the youngest learner to have achieved such. In the field of Creative Writing, Colombe is a dedicated writer who demonstrates maturity and creativity in her work.”
In recognition of her dedication to this craft, she received the Mary Johnstone Trophy for Poet of the Year in 2019. At the end of 2019, Colombe was awarded the school’s highest honour: The Honours Blazer, which she wears with pride. In 2020, Colombe achieved 8th position in the De Beers English Olympiad, written by over 5,000 learners across South Africa, which is an outstanding achievement.
“Colombe, please do not forget your alma mater and keep WGHS informed of your future successes. We are all so very proud of you and wish to share in your journey. Bon voyage. Au revoir.”
Congratulations Colombe, from all of South Africa! We look forward to following your incredible journey!
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