Five years after migrating to the United States, Helms Atekega, an 18-year-old Ugandan boy, achieved an extraordinary accomplishment by winning a scholarship worth $5.3 million to 120 universities and colleges nationwide.
Helms, who moved to the US in 2019 to join his father, Chris Atekega, a Ugandan immigrant and a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, faced numerous challenges adapting to the new environment. The COVID-19 pandemic struck soon after his arrival, forcing him to attend high school via Zoom and missing out on opportunities to interact with others and learn about American culture.
Despite these obstacles, Helms remained determined to pursue his passion for music, initially planning to study for a music degree after high school graduation. However, his father, Chris, initially opposed the idea, hoping his son would choose a more financially stable career path like medicine or computer technology.
Undeterred, Helms embarked on an ambitious college application journey, applying to a staggering number of institutions. “I gave it my all with the application process. I reached out to the schools to make sure that they received my application and made sure I gave my essays my best shot. But I did not expect so many schools to say yes, so I was not prepared,” he said.
Helms’ perseverance paid off as he earned acceptance from 120 colleges and universities, along with $5.3 million in proposed grants and scholarship offers. His father, Chris, expressed pride in his son’s achievement, acknowledging the hard work and determination it took to achieve such a feat.
In his college essays, Helms highlighted his passion for music and his background as an immigrant, capturing the attention of admissions committees across the country. He was accepted into prestigious institutions such as Bard College, Drexel University, Howard University, Loyola University, Marymount University, Sarah Lawrence College, and his father’s alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley.
Helms ultimately plans to major in music and minor in global studies at UC Berkeley, a decision he claims was not influenced by his father but rather a natural progression toward his dream of becoming a professional musician.
This remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with unwavering determination and a passion for one’s dreams, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. Helms’ story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the boundless potential of the human spirit.
