Nationwide — Darrel Bryant, a 16-year-old high school senior from Savannah, Georgia, is set to graduate a year ahead of schedule. What’s more, he has already made his mark as a published author of a book that’s making a difference in the lives of others.At just 11 years old, Bryant wrote a book called The Flower Nerd, addressing the issue of bullying. His motivation came from a tragic incident about a 10-year-old Colorado girl who took her own life due to bullying. His book has sold 350 copies to date, spreading its crucial message.
Now, as a high school senior at St. John Academy, Darrel is on the fast track to early graduation, according to WJCL. In December, he’ll receive his diploma, a whole year earlier than originally planned. His next step is to attend Savannah Technical College to study aircraft assembly, and he’s keeping his options open for his bachelor’s degree.
Throughout high school, Bryant has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and earned recognition as an honorary member of The National Society of High School Scholars. Teachers and family members are in awe of his dedication and hard work.
His mom, Shyann, says she knew “immediately” that her son was going to be an academic genius.
“He’s always had that mindset to just always just be a go-getter. Always wants to do more, always wants to go above and beyond,” said Tywana Barnes, Darrel’s cousin and math tutor. “Being average has never been a part of his character.”
Darrel has received 17 direct college admission offers from prestigious institutions like SCAD, Harvard, Yale, Brown, and more with scholarships totaling $600,000.
In his free time, he enjoys video games, outdoor activities, and making stop-motion videos. However, most of his time is dedicated to studying and learning, setting an example for his fellow students even though he is the youngest in the classroom.
“I want to be able to create an image for myself that shows who I am to others. I want to inspire other people to do great things,” fe said.