Jarvis Richardson of Stockbridge acknowledged that he was a bit anxious about his chances for receiving a prestigious honor.

  That trepidation, however, went away recently, upon learning he had been selected as a Gates Scholar by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

  “I was nervous, but when I got that message, I was really at ease,” said Richardson. The 18-year-old is the 2020 salutatorian for Stockbridge High School.

  Richardson’s academic prowess was evident before his senior year began. As a junior, he earned a 30 out of a possible 36 on the ACT college-entrance exam. Richardson was accepted to a number of colleges en route to his impending graduation.

  He said he plans to attend the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the fall, on a full academic scholarship.

  “I really like their public health program, and I want to be an epidemiologist,” said Richardson. “I knew that would be a good foundation to start my career.”

  Richardson will graduate with a more than 4.0 grade-point average. His accolades, however, are not limited to his high marks in the classroom. The 6’1” student athlete has played center for his school’s football team for the past four years.

  In addition to his efforts in the classroom and on the football field, Richardson also works two jobs, at Home Depot and Domino’s Pizza, both in Ellenwood. Richardson’s mother, Sabrina, beamed with pride as she talked about her son’s academic success and his work ethic. She said she is excited about his plans to be a “disease detective.”

  “As a mother, this is one of my proudest moments,” said Sabrina Richardson. “He’s such a great son. He’s very respectful, he carries himself very well in the home and out of the home.”

  Jarvis Richardson, in response, said his mother has had more of an impact than anyone on his academic success.

  “I attribute all my success to my mom,” he said. “She’s the one who pushes me to do the late night assignments and go the extra mile even when I don’t want to.”

  Jarvis acknowledged his disappointment that his senior year has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

  Still, he said his achievement has not gone unnoticed by the school.

  “Friday, we had a drive-by ceremony, and the principal gave me my salutatorian award,” he said. “I was really bummed out that we couldn’t finish our senior year, but I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Even with these circumstances to occur, there can be a greater good that comes in the end.”