At a moment of immense pride for her family and community, Kendra Santiago, a remarkable student-athlete, has been accepted to Harvard University. Kendra, a proud Bravense, is the daughter of Andre Santiago and Auzenda Goncalves, both originally from Brava, Cape Verde. Her journey to this prestigious achievement is a testament to her hard work, intellect, and dedication to both academics and sports.
Kendra’s academic excellence is undeniable. She holds the top rank in her class as the Valedictorian of the GNBVT Class of 2025 and has been honored with the prestigious Presidential Award. Her dedication to education and social justice is reflected in her founding of the Knowledge Empowers Justice (KEJ) project, an initiative she continues to lead to promote equity and awareness through education (https://www.kejproject.org). She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Law Society club, and SkillsUSA.
Beyond academics, Kendra has dedicated over 200 hours to volunteering as a Youth Attorney at the Southcoast Youth Courts, demonstrating her commitment to community service and youth advocacy. Her dedication to justice and leadership strengthens her aspirations to study Law at Harvard.
Kendra has also excelled as an athlete. She served as the captain of the Track and Soccer teams at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech (GNBVT), where her talent and determination stood out. Recently, she was honored as the Southcoast Girls' Soccer Player of the Year, further solidifying her status as a multifaceted and talented student. Additionally, she now holds the school’s girls’ soccer record with 36 goals scored.
Kendra’s success story follows in the footsteps of her older brother, Kevin, who was accepted to both Harvard and MIT two years ago, ultimately choosing MIT to study Computer Science. Kevin was also named Southcoast Swimmer of the Year.
Her achievements serve as an inspiration to students within the Cape Verdean community and beyond, proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
As Kendra prepares for the next chapter of her journey at Harvard, she carries with her the pride and hope of her family, her community, and Cape Verdeans around the world. Her story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, excellence, and a commitment to making a difference can open doors to the highest levels of education and opportunity.
