In the news:

• June 11, 2010: Derrius travels to Ghana. Read about his travels here.
  
• March, 2010: Derrius is awarded a "Dr. Beverly L. Hall Young Adult Award" at The 13th Annual National Black Herstory Award Banquet. 
• October, 2009: Derrius is hailed as $1 million dollar scholar from Chicago.
  
• Chicago Scholars Monthly Spotlight is on Derrius. 

High School: Kenwood Academy HS.     

Favorite Class: AP Environmental Science.

Favorite Activity:  Varsity swimming.

Favorite Teacher/Counselor: Mrs. Nuttaki.

My Favorite way to relax: Shopping with my friends and swimming. Exercising is also a great way to relax.

My Favorite book: Letters to A Brother: Manifest Your Destiny

The College(s) I am interested in attending: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Harvard, Stanford, FAMU, Howard, Ohio State, and Yale University.

My Dream Profession is:  Pediatric Oncologist, also running my own small business.

Biggest concern about college:  Finishing college with a strong GPA, taking and getting a great score on MCAT, and writing papers.

When I go to college, I most look forward to: Gaining a lot of knowledge, networking with various people, being independent, and doing science labs with advanced equipment.

The piece of advice that I would give to a high school freshman about preparing for college is:  Get started as early as you can, it is never too early to start being a scholar, leader, and getting involved.

My hero is:  My grandmother.