Malcolm X Shabazz High School **Senior, Kim Boerrigter**, has always strived to achieve the very best according to school officials.
Kim has received an award for perfect attendance every year since starting school, and when asked about motivation in achieving excellence, Kim states, “My mom is my motivation. She’s always believed in me, has instilled within me great values and insists that I consistently stand up for my beliefs.”
As valedictorian of Malcolm X Shabazz’s Class of 2017, Kim has been accepted into fifteen colleges. However, the proudest moment for Kim and her mom was her acceptance and receipt of a full scholarship to the prestigious **Harvard University**.
With a passion for Science, Kim says that while attending Malcolm X Shabazz High School it has allowed her to broaden her logical scope.
As a member of the Aquatic Biochemistry Team and working closely with club advisor, **Mr. Patrick Murray**, Kim has been able to broaden her scientific knowledge.
“Mr. Murray has always reinforced and assisted me in facilitating my research. His support in this process has been remarkable" Kim said.
For Kim, education means, furthering her happiness and spreading the message that she’s going to be “a scientist who is a woman of color.”
As a scholar athlete, Kim is the captain of the Cross Country track team, as well as the Indoor/Outdoor Track team.
She is also a member of the Aquatic Biochemistry Team and the National Honor Society.
In her spare time she enjoys playing basketball and reading. Her favorite author is Edgar Allan Poe. “I like his style. It’s gloomy in a beautiful way.” Kim’s favorite poem by Poe is "The Raven".
When asked about what it means to be a product of the City of Newark and Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Kim states, “Individuals make assumptions about Newark. I feel that because I’ve emerged from a particular zip code that I have to prove myself more than my counterparts.”
Kim also believes that the majority of the skepticism stems from those who’ve never been to the inner city. “We have smart children here in Newark. We just need a few more resources and the belief that we can all succeed. Being a Shabazz Bulldog has supported me and given me a tremendous amount of confidence. I’ve always wanted to attend Shabazz. Coming from "Brick City" has prepared me to face any obstacle set before me.”
From all of us here on the RLS Metro Weekend Crew, hats off and good luck to 2017 **Shabazz High School's Valedictorian Ms. Kim Boerrigter**