A Northside High School student, through rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities and volunteerism, recently celebrated a large list of college acceptance, committing to one of the nation’s top schools.

Last month, Savannah Bunn, a NHS senior set to graduate next week, committed to attending Duke University. But it wasn’t an easy decision, Bunn said. Bunn also received a letter of acceptance for basically a full ride to Yale, an opportunity to be one of 20 EC Scholars at East Carolina University and was named a finalist for the Park Scholarship at N.C. State University, a full ride scenario that no other NHS student has been offered, she said. She was also accepted to other notable schools like Wake Forest and Davidson, all of which she considered.

“I liked all the schools that I applied to so it made it incredibly hard,” Bunn said.

Bunn’s brother, Terence Wallace, who precedes her by 11 years was an undergrad at Duke and even got his Masters degree in engineering there, she said. That prior connection to Duke sparked her dream to one day attend and follow in his footsteps in terms of alma mater.

“(Duke) was something I fell in love with as a child and continued in my own academic career so I could attend myself,” Bunn said. “It was, technically, my dream school, but I kept my options open. The feeling I had on Duke’s campus is something I really can’t describe. It’s like a home away from home. Duke is just the one that worked for me.”

And the connection is not the only driving force behind Bunn’s passion regarding Duke, Bunn said. The location is not too close to home, but yet not too far, and as an intended chemistry major that plans on a pre-med route, Bunn would have access to various internships, as well as career opportunities in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, one of the nation’s top areas for medical research. Not to mention, she would be surrounding herself with some of the nation’s brightest and most driven people, something Bunn strives for.

“I either want to become a physician or do research, and I haven’t really been exposed to those opportunities living in a rural community,” Bunn said. “It’s such a growing area, and a lot of students say they want to end up in that area.”

Though Bunn now celebrates the fruits of her academic career in public school, it wasn’t an easy feat, having subjected herself to rigorous coursework over her four years of high school. She even took five classes most semesters, rather than the normal four classes per semester.

“I had a lot of various classes that I took, trying to be a bit well rounded and also, to push myself in the areas I needed to,” Bunn said. “My school was very helpful in pushing me in my pathway and working my schedule so I could fit everything in and all my teachers were excellent and very supportive.”

Bunn immersed herself in a vast list of Honors and AP courses, as well as several college-level courses offered through Beaufort County Community College, some of which were through technology in distance learning programs, she said. And the opportunities she received, as well as the continued growth of opportunities offered to area students is something in which Bunn commends the county school system and BCCC. Through experience in visiting colleges and admittance interviews, Bunn knows what Beaufort County students are up against — the caliber of students at bigger schools that are exposed to vast spectrums of opportunity — and hopes to pass that knowledge down to younger students in an effort to help even the odds.

“The opportunities are still improving here, and I’m very excited about that,” Bunn said. “(Opportunity for Beaufort County students) keeps growing, and I’m happy about it. I’m just glad to be able to represent the school and county in such a positive way. We have students doing amazing things and have a chance to do amazing things. I like that I’m able to go through this myself and know what schools are looking for and be able to help my younger friends. While we’re still competing against the big schools that have more opportunity, we still do very well, and I’m proud to be where I’m from.”

But Bunn’s success doesn’t stop at academics. Her extra curricular activities and volunteerism match her academia. She was All Conference all four years of high school in cross-country, winning MVP her freshmen and senior years. She served as the treasurer, vice president and president of NHS FBLA over her four years there and not only competed but placed in various regional, state and national FBLA competitions. She also volunteered at Vidant Beaufort Hospital the past four summers for the Vidant Volunteen program, something Bunn attributes her intent to pursue a career in medicine. Other volunteerism conducted by Bunn includes fundraisers for various club functions, work with Bath Historic Site, Bath Fest, visiting nursing homes and a senior community service project consisting of a children’s book drive — a project that led Bunn to conduct research, connecting poverty to literacy, she said.

Bunn’s parents, Jennifer and Billy Bunn Jr., commented on their daughter’s success and hopes for her future.

“We are very proud of Savannah and recognize that she has had many people help her along the way — teachers, coaches, friends and family — too many to name,” Bunn’s parents said in a statement. “We are blessed by her God-given talent and hope she stays grounded and continues to surround herself with positive influences.”

Bunn commented on her success and those who helped make it possible.

“I thank the school for having such amazing opportunities and my family for always supporting and pushing me and God — my faith is such a big piece of who I am. I’m very blessed and excited about my future.”