Photo by: John Oubre /Southern University
While most 11-year-olds are welcoming summer with thoughts of participating in summer camps and trips to nearby pools and amusement parks, Elijah Precciely of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is preparing to attend college next spring. He was recently awarded a full-ride scholarship to Southern University where he plans to study physics and mechanical engineering.
Precciely was a home schooled student who showed extraordinary academic capability and potential from an early age. At the age of five, he had preached his first sermon on a radio station, where he would later host his own weekly show. When Precciely’s mother, Pamela Precciely (who is a Southern alumna) reached out to Southern’s physics department to inquire about securing some lab space for her bright and motivated student, she was met with an invitation to allow her son to join some classes. According to Baton Rouge’s local newspaper, The Advocate, Precciely began studying at the institution at the age of eight when he enrolled in business, biology, and physics courses.
"I wasn't looking, 'Hey, I want to come up here to Southern University.' I didn't even know that I was going to get into a college, I was just being myself," Precciely shared during his official scholarship acceptance speech last Friday.
Photo by: John Oubre /Southern University
"We are pleased to offer Elijah Precciely the J.S. Clark Presidential Scholar award," remarked Southern University President Ray Belton."As a J.S. Clark Scholar, he will engage in research and other scholarly activities as part of the honors college."
In spite of having already authored a youth empowerment-focused book (“Mission Christian God’s Got First”), submitted five patents for original inventions, and serving as host to a weekly radio show, Precciely remains humble and grateful for all opportunities. Upon accepting his award, Precciely shared, "Those that have paved the way, I want to thank you for paving the way in my education, and I will absolutely pave the way for others to do the impossible. I am elated."
Due to the number of classes he’s already completed for college credit, Precciely will actually begin as a sophomore student and plans to complete a unique five-year physics and engineering curriculum.
When the self-professed "life-long learner" is not in the classroom, he spends much of his time with his best friend, 10-year-old Reginald Ellis II. Ellis will begin at the Southern University Lab School this fall and met Precciely when they were just toddlers via a home school co-op program. The gifted duo spend countless hours conducting experiments and dreaming of future business plans including owning a basketball team.
Congratulations, Elijah! We can't wait to see all the things that you'll accomplish in the future.