For four Milwaukee high school seniors, a lifelong dream has become reality. Anavi Alston, Taelor Banks, Wy’yana Adams, and Jordyn Henderson—all students at Rufus King High School—are set to attend Spelman College in the fall, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys.
Spelman College, a prestigious historically Black women’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, is known for its rigorous admission process and commitment to shaping future leaders. With an acceptance rate of just 25%, earning a spot is no small feat. But these young women, determined and hardworking, made it happen.
A Shared Dream, Years in the Making
Rufus King High School first shared the news of their acceptance in a Facebook post featuring the students proudly wearing Spelman merchandise in front of their school lockers.
For Adams, the moment was nothing short of surreal. “It’s like a dream come true,” she told WTMJ-TV.
Henderson, who has wanted to attend Spelman since fourth grade, echoed the sentiment:
“I’ve wanted to go to this school since the fourth grade.”
Banks, too, had long envisioned this moment: “I have been dreaming about this since freshman year.”
As for Alston, the news came as a shock. But the moment was celebrated in true joyful fashion—her family even sprayed whipped cream on her in excitement.
Ambitions Beyond College
Each of the four students has big aspirations for the future:
- Alston plans to become an anesthesiologist.
- Henderson aims to be a medical lab technician.
- Adams hopes to enroll in medical school.
- Banks’ dream is to become a lawyer.
The four young women credit a Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) program for helping them make their decision. Their visit to Spelman’s campus confirmed what they had already suspected—it was the perfect place for them.
“We all toured Spelman, and we just knew this was the place to be. It felt like home,” Adams shared.
She was particularly inspired by Spelman’s motto: “A choice to change the world.”
“That was really embedded in me,” Adams explained. “Giving back and doing service has sparked my interest for a long time.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is home to over 2,100 students from 43 states and 10 foreign countries. According to the school’s website, it is committed to empowering women to engage with the world’s many cultures and lead social change through service and scholarship.
The college has also drawn notable figures, including Zahara Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie, who enrolled in 2022. In November 2023, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), one of the oldest Black sororities, and was later seen dancing with her AKA sisters at Spelman’s Welcome Back Jam in August 2024.
Praise from Their Community
Rufus King High School’s principal, Doreen Badillo, could not be prouder of these four remarkable young women.
“These four African American young ladies have worked individually hard for what they have earned, and no one has given it to them,” Badillo told WTMJ. “It takes all of us, but it took them to make the first move to get there.”
While Spelman College has yet to comment on their newest incoming class, it’s clear that Alston, Banks, Adams, and Henderson are on their way to something great. Their story serves as an inspiration—not just for young students in Milwaukee, but for aspiring scholars everywhere.
The Future is Bright
With their acceptance letters in hand, these four young women are ready to take on the next chapter of their lives at one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the nation. Their journey proves that dreams, hard work, and perseverance truly pay off.