Our Alumna, Cecelia is rising to the top!

This year, our Rising Alumna Star is Cecelia. Cecelia has been promoted to the the 12th grade, and will be graduating from High School in 2022.

Cecelia was born in the Township of West Point, one of the largest slums in Monrovia, Liberia. Her mother is a market woman, and her father molds blocks for a living.

“I am the second oldest of six siblings, and the only who has reached this far in education. So I have a lot of pressure because my family depends on me.”

Cecelia enrolled at the More Than Me Academy in 6th grade, and remained until she graduated from the 9th grade. Upon graduation, through Hilltop Schools she was awarded the Jewel Starfish Scholarship -- a program of the Jewel starfish Foundation founded by the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia to complete high school.

“I am grateful to Hilltop Schools for all that they are doing to ensure that I go to school and achieve my dreams. I would not be where I am today without their support. “

Cecelia was very instrumental in advocating for the Academy to remain opened when the Propublica Report on the sexual scandal by staff members in 2014. Not only that, she and her friends further advocated for the More Than Me Academy name to remain the same when Hilltop Schools Inc. took over the Academy.

Cecelia will be graduating from High School in 2022. Her dream is to become an IT specialist. Upon graduating from High School, she plans to study Internet Technology and Computer Science.

“I love computers. I want to learn about how they work. There are so many girls who feel they cannot go into the field of technology because it is challenging. I want to change the narrative, especially for girls in my community and country. When I become an IT specialist, I plan to use my skills to inspire and train other girls in my community.”