Good News: Meet three high school seniors from underserved communities headed to Vanderbilt

Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean
·1 min read

A version of this story first appeared in the weekly emailed newsletter The Good News with Brad Schmitt. Sign up for that newsletter at tennessean.com/goodnews.

LEAD public charter schools started in Nashville in 2007 to serve and inspire kids from underserved communities. Today, there are more than six LEAD schools, and more than 85 percent of its students are people of color, most from economically challenged areas of our city.

LEAD charter high schools' senior revealed May 18, 2023, where they're going to college, and turns out three of four top students are heading to Vanderbilt University. From left to right, Hugo Turro-Serrano and Tual Langh, both from LEAD Southeast High School, and DeAnthony Dixon (LEAD Class of '21, Vanderbilt Class of ‘25) and Mariam Mahoud, of LEAD Academy High School.
LEAD charter high schools' senior revealed May 18, 2023, where they're going to college, and turns out three of four top students are heading to Vanderbilt University. From left to right, Hugo Turro-Serrano and Tual Langh, both from LEAD Southeast High School, and DeAnthony Dixon (LEAD Class of '21, Vanderbilt Class of ‘25) and Mariam Mahoud, of LEAD Academy High School.

Last week was the big seniors reveal day for LEAD schools, and when those three students showed Vanderbilt banners, well, the crowd went wild.

Congrats to Hugo Turro-Serrano and Tual Langh, both of LEAD Southeast High School, and Mariam Mahoud, LEAD Academy High School.

"I feel incredibly proud of myself, glad that my efforts have paid off, enthusiastic about the future, and immensely grateful for my parents' support throughout this journey," said Mariam, who plans to double major in biomedical engineering and finance, "but I'm also left wondering, 'Now what?'  I've achieved what I always wanted to, but now it's not the time to stop."

Reach Brad Schmitt with other good news stories at brad@tennessean.com or 615-259-8384 or on Twitter @bradschmitt.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet three seniors from underserved areas heading to Vanderbilt University