He’s received more than any graduating senior in U.S. history!
Dennis Barnes is a senior at International High School of New Orleans (IHSNO), WWLTV reports. An accomplished scholar, Dennis has maintained a 4.98 cumulative GPA during his time in school and is a member of the National Honor Society. Fluent in Spanish, the teen has earned an official qualification from the Institute Cervantes from Spain’s Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports, and was recently honored with the Jose Luis Baños Award for Excellence in Spanish Language by the Honorary Consul of Spain in New Orleans, Maria Page.
The New Orleans native began applying for colleges last summer, sending in applications to 200 schools across the country. Before he knew it, the letters were rolling in, Dennis racking up acceptance into 125 colleges and universities with more than $9 million in scholarship offers. His accomplishment is historic, breaking the previously documented Guinness Book World Record of a Lafayette High School senior who received $8.7 million in 2019. Dennis now holds the record for most acceptances and scholarships for any college-bound graduating senior in U.S. history, the school currently waiting on Guinness to make it official.
“I submitted college applications in August, with an eye on raising the bar high for college admissions. Decision letters were an overflow in my mailbox and hundreds of scholarship offers,” said Dennis.
Still, he is awaiting more decisions from other schools and has set a goal of $10 million in scholarship offers before the end of the month. Dennis plans to pursue a dual degree in computer science and criminal justice. For the past two years he has earned college credit, dual enrolled at Southern University of New Orleans while working towards his high school diploma. He has been praised by IHSNO Head of School Dr. Adierah Berger and IHSNO college admissions counselor Denise James for his dedication to academic excellence.
Dennis plans to announce his college decision on May 2nd but wants to encourage other graduating seniors to plan and see their goals through, no matter how tough it gets.
“The road to a successful future is to plan ahead, network with the collegiate partners, and know that if you can see your vision, you can achieve your goal,” said Dennis.
Congratulations Dennis!
Cover photo: New Orleans senior breaks U.S. record with 125 college offers & over $9m in scholarship offers/Photo Courtesy of Dennis Barnes/WWLTV