When Nimitz High School seniors crossed the stage during graduation ceremonies on May 29 at M.O. Campbell Center, it was a history-making event in students’ lives—but an even bigger moment for the school as they acknowledged their class valedictorian, Monique Thompson, who became Nimitz’s first Black female valedictorian in over a decade.
“Being the first Black female valedictorian to represent Nimitz High School in over a decade feels so special. I feel God placed me in many positions this year that I could never imagine being in on my own,” said Thompson.
“Society constantly paints Black females in a certain picture, but this accomplishment should encourage them to paint their own picture. We are more than our skin and hair, even though both are beautiful and wonderfully made,” said Thompson.
In 2024, one must wonder why more Black students are not represented in this space.
“The lack of interest that we as Black teens have portrayed holds us back,” said Thompson. “Sometimes, we allow our zip code to determine our destination and our environment tends to influence how we operate. As young Black teens, we are in the most crucial times of our lives. Other’s opinions can lead us to believe we cannot be in these spaces, but we are.”
While many may believe valedictorians have it all figured out and have an easy road because they seem to always excel academically, they, too, have hurdles they have to overcome. Some face visible hurdles, while others face internal ones, battling them while no one knows.
Thompson faced several challenges entering her senior year but would not be detoured from achieving her goals.
“I have always been active, involved with various activities and working, so time management was the biggest internal battle I had to overcome,” said Thompson.
Due to miscommunication in scheduling, Thompson even struggled with impostor’s syndrome at the beginning of her senior year.
“The summer prior to my senior year, my counselor retired, and the counselor who took over noticed that I was short two required classes: Economics and Spanish,” said Thompson. “I thought I had taken all of my requirements, but I was short those two classes. After hearing the news, many thoughts ran through my head. How will this affect me graduating? The thought of losing everything I had worked so hard for was devastating.”
Thompson’s internal battle was met with sheer determination and hard work, backed by an unbelievable support system of family, friends and dedicated teachers.
Thompson’s brother, Trae Thompson, graduated from Nimitz in the top 5% of his class, providing her with a blueprint for academic success.
She learned the value of time management and hard work from her father, who stepped up when COVID-19 hit and many families faced challenges, taking on double duties. She also learned the importance of communication from her mother.
“All my friends call her ‘Momma Thompson.’ She is a dedicated woman known for making things happen and being a mother to all. Because of her, I know how to advocate for myself and get things done. Without the guidance I’ve been blessed with, my life could have taken another turn. I had to keep God in front of me and follow His path,” said Thompson.
Thompson is a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and graduated High School with her associate’s degree. This fall, she will attend Emory University to pursue a degree in nursing.
“I chose Emory University because I have family there (Atlanta), so I won’t have to worry about getting homesick and they are ranked second in the United States for their nursing program,” said Thompson.
Thompson has many family members who are in the nursing field. Her aunt, Deidre Mooring, is a retired registered nurse and played a key role in helping me narrow down her career options.
“My end goal is to be a traveling nurse practitioner for pediatrics and have my own practice,” said Thompson. “I love a hands-on experience, I love STEM, and I work with kids all the time, so I figured nursing would be my best career.”
As Thompson embarks on her next chapter at Emory, she carries with her the values and lessons imparted by her family, community, and experiences at Nimitz High School. Her valedictorian journey is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of inspiration for others to defy societal expectations and pursue their dreams.
Thompson’s story is a testament to resilience, hard work and the power of a supportive community. As she steps into her future with aspirations of becoming a travel nurse practitioner, her path shines brightly, illuminating the possibilities for those who dare to follow in her footsteps. Thompson’s Nimitz legacy is not only one of academic excellence but also of breaking barriers and encouraging others to create their own success stories.
“I hope this accomplishment encourages other young Black females that they can do anything they put their mind to,” said Thompson.
