High-school senior Esther Fadumiye does not own a cellphone and has no social-media profiles.
But that’s not even the Bronx teen’s most extraordinary feat: She has never missed a day of school. Not even in pre-K.
“My parents are both immigrants, so they taught me drive, perseverance and hard work,” Fadumiye told The Post at her graduation Saturday from Cardinal Spellman HS. “We got to keep at it every day.”
Despite all the accolades — Fadumiye was valedictorian and earned a 100.330 GPA — the level-headed ex-high schooler has stayed humble.
“I’m not better than anyone else. Everyone could do what I did,” she said. “I’m taking it all in, just living in the moment, but there is always stuff to do, so I’ve got to move forward.”
Thanking her parents and God, Fadumiye gave an impassioned speech to her class of 331 at Saturday’s commencement ceremony.
“I’m standing here today because God decided that I can,” she said before making a bombshell announcement.
“It’s only because of his grace that I’m able to say this: Hey guys, I’m going to Harvard,” she whispered to thunderous applause.
Fadumiye told The Post she plans to study physical science or medicine in Cambridge.
“This is just the beginning,” said the bright-eyed 18-year-old, clad in a graduation gown and tasseled cap. “You will see more of me.”
Fadumiye’s mother, a registered nurse, said she wasn’t surprised by the teen’s achievements. Her daughter’s secret to success is simple, she said.
“Hard work pays off. I was expecting it,” Doreen Fadumiye said, noting her daughter’s academic accomplishments were sometimes a family effort.
“She stayed up and studied hard and we stayed up with her, especially with the science projects,” Doreen said.
Assistant Principal Kyle O’Donnell praised his former student’s stellar record.
“You can’t ask for a better student to come to Spellman High School,” he said. “The sky is the limit for Esther. Once she puts her mind to something, it’s unbelievable. She’s just a great kid.”
When she isn’t studying, Fadumiye watches Korean dramas and plays volleyball with her friends at the park during warm weather, she said. She even makes time for extracurricular activities, including student government.
As for staying off social media?
Fadumiye said she prefers talking in person.
“I never had a cellphone, because I just chose not to. I didn’t see the point,” she said. “I’d rather talk to people in person because over cellphones, social media and stuff like that, you often lose the value of communication.”



