Ejehi Ihionkhan "Yes, I Did!"

To demonstrate Longview Independent School District’s ongoing initiative in its “Yes, I Can – School of Choice” campaign, Encore Multimedia produced a 30-second video featuring 2019 LISD graduate and class Salutatorian, Ejehi Ihionkhan. This amazing and dedicated young woman tells her educational success story and speaks of the countless opportunities available to LISD students.

Ejehi’s educational journey took her from Hudson PEP, to Foster Middle School, and then to Longview High School, where she was involved in the International Scholars Program and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, which develops students’ critical and independent thinking skills from a global standpoint.

From grades 8 through 12, Ejehi was also a member of the international Technology Student Association (TSA) and competed in its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) events. She also served as president of the Texas chapter her senior year, helping to mobilize and move the organization forward through multiple facets, including social media, and representing approximately 42,000 student members as liaison to the Texas TSA board of directors.

Because of her rigorous academic dedication, Ejehi received full scholarships to seven Ivy League Schools. The decision was hard, but Ejehi always wanted to become a doctor and chose to attend Yale due to its renowned molecular biology program. Her strong humanitarian and Catholic roots have driven her to the goal of resolving inequalities in the medical field by ensuring an outstanding individual healthcare experience regardless of economic or ethnic background.

Ejehi had these words for her peers regarding her LISD education: “High School’s going to end one day and you’re going to be left with what you’ve made of the experience. So just don’t leave with any regrets.” This advice is precisely why Ejehi succeeded at LISD. When students are provided with the right tools, they can build strong, stable foundations for their futures. Ejehi wraps up her testimonial with a tribute to her educational experience: "I know I’ll be able to do amazing things, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that without Longview ISD.”