Inspired by Katherine Johnson, Dionn Megginson is charting a path full of excellence and Black Girl Magic. At just 11-years-old the Texas native just completed her first day of 9th grade!
Dionn is a member of her high school's inaugural class at the Early College Academy. There she’s taking honors Biology, English, Spanish, AP Human Geography, Dance and Culinary Arts.
After a successful first day of school Dionn is excited about the year ahead.
"I'm looking forward to going deeper into my classes," she told Because of Them We Can.
According to Dionn's parents, her thirst for knowledge was evident at a young age.
“We realized Dionn was unique at a very early age, before she could walk. Teachers at her daycare would always tell us that Dionn was very smart and that she knew a lot for her age. It was suggested by them that we have her tested when she got into elementary school,” Dionn’s mother, Sharon Megginson told Because of Them We Can.
Megginson and her husband, David, did just that. Dionn was tested and within three weeks of Kindergarten she was promoted to first grade through credit by exam (CBE). From grades 1 through 4 she excelled in all of her studies, receiving The Principal’s Award each year, the highest student recognition at her elementary school. Once Dionn finished fourth grade, she took another exam that allowed her to skip the fifth grade and enter six grade at just 9-years-old.
Her current goal is to graduate from high school at 14-years-old and go on to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. There she’ll p/ursue her dream of becoming a mathematician, like her role model Katherine Johnson.
Kudos to mom, dad, Dionn and all of the teachers and educators working to support her academic journey!