1st Black female valedictorian in school's 159-year history follows in grandma's footsteps

By Nicole Pelletiere

A 17-year-old who has been named valedictorian is the first Black female to achieve the honor in her high school's 159-year history.

Nina Mitchell graduated from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois, with a 4.549 GPA.

"I was very humbled and honored," Nina told "Good Morning America." "I am representing Black students and female students. They can look up to me and say, 'Wow. Nina did it, so I can do it.' That was really important for me."

Nina was president of the Honor Society and Key Club. She was also a founder of the Spanish Honor Society, a member of Spanish Club, was part of the principal's advisory board, a founding member of the peer mediation program, played volleyball and ran track.

Darren Mitchell

Nina Mitchell, 17, graduated from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois, with a 4.549 GPA.

In her community, Nina was the first Black chair of Youth Engaged in Philanthropy, a legislature with the Illinois YMCA Youth and Government and a member of the Youth Advisory Council.

During her free time, Nina enjoys reading and playing Scrabble with her two brothers: Robert, 21, and Michael, 20.

Academic success runs in Nina's family. Robert graduated sixth in his class at DeKalb High School and Michael ranked seventh.

Nina's grandmother, Pearlene Carter, 75, was also a valedictorian representing Walker High School's class of 1959 in Coldwater, Mississippi.

Darren Mitchell

Nina Mitchell, 17, graduated from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois, with a 4.549 GPA. Here she is seen in an undated photo with her parents, Darren and Melody Mitchell, and brothers Robert, 21 and Michael 20.

"I didn't get here alone," Nina said. "My parents always set me up for success, and my brothers inspire me to do better."

"My grandma has always been an inspiration for me, and a role model," she added. "She's a force to be reckoned with. She's always bragged about me to her friends and has made me feel so loved."

Nina's father, Darren Mitchell, said his daughter's goal was always to graduate at the top of her class.

"I know Nina has gotten a lot of attention for her academic achievement and leadership skills, but why I'm most proud of my daughter is she is a good person," Mitchell told "GMA."

Darren Mitchell

Nina Mitchell, 17, valedictorian of DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois, stands with her grandmother, Pearlene Carter, 75, was also a valedictorian representing Walker High School's class of 1959 in Coldwater, Mississippi.

"She treats people with kindness and respect," he added. "She has a wonderful heart and is just a great human being."

Nina was accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she will attend as a business major.

Darren Mitchell

Nina Mitchell, 17, graduated from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois, with a 4.549 GPA. Nina was accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she will attend as a business major.

Nina hopes to become a lawyer.

Her advice to rising students is to put school first, get involved in your community and "never give up."