Regis Harris’ mother said she was told her son would be developmentally delayed due to a heart condition he was born with, but the Douglas County high school senior has defied all odds and evolved into an excellent student.
In addition, the Chapel Hill High senior recently demonstrated his academic prowess by being accepted to more than 40 colleges and universities and receiving $1.6 million in scholarships. Harris’ scholarship offers also mean that he won’t have to pay for his college or university education.
In an interview with Atlanta News First, the 17-year-old student said he never envisaged being offered admission by several schools. “I’m so blessed to have this opportunity,” Harris said. “There were several schools at the top of my list.”
The University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Southern California (USC) are among the schools that have offered the teen admission. “It was a lot of sacrifices,” said the straight-A student. “There were a lot of nights I stayed up studying all night long.”
Harris is a member of the school band, chess club, varsity track team, and National Honor Society, but he also has time for extracurricular activities. He also sings in his church choir and works part-time.
“The hardest part for me was that I balanced staying on top of work but also that I maintained being a well-rounded person,” he said.
The teen had to undergo open heart surgery just two days after his birth. His parents said they’re proud of his journey. “The doctors told me he would be developmentally delayed,” the teen’s mother, Kia Harris, told Atlanta News First. “They even stated that he might have to have heart surgery again. He is our miracle.”
Harris said he intends to pursue a course in biology (pre-med) at North Carolina A&T. He hopes to become a psychiatrist. “I’m looking forward to being able to adapt, to expand my mind, my learning and I can’t wait,” the academically gifted student said.