Crystal Harris, a 17-year-old University High School graduate with a 5.05 GPA, is redefining what it means to come from foster care. Earlier this summer, Harris was honored alongside 127 students at the 38th Annual Independent Living Program (ILP) Scholarship Extravaganza for their academic achievements during their time in the foster care system. The South LA native will now be attending Smith College in the fall.
Harris was recognized as valedictorian of the ceremony. When asked how Harris felt about being named as valedictorian, she shared appreciation for the ability to “be someone others can look up to”. Harris acknowledged that “many people overlook kids in foster care” but that hasn’t stopped her drive. The advice she’d give those on a similar journey as hers is that “it’s okay to take breaks and it’s okay to ask for help”. The valedictorian expressed that her little sister and friends helped motivate her when she needed it.
Harris, who identifies as Afro-Latina and African-American, is determined to work hard and take rigorous classes throughout her academic journey. Her mother, who is Costa Rican, would often tell her that she’d need to work harder as a Black woman. Harris spoke of the days where she wouldn’t be motivated to go to school, sharing that it was a “really long walk to the bus stop”, but she still went because she didn’t want to “fall behind”.
