Abigal Stephens
For Abigail Stephens, graduating as valedictorian of the Denzel Washington School of the Arts is the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and support from the people who helped shape her path to an Ivy League university.
“I live with my mom, and she’s been a single mother my whole entire life,” Abigail said. “She’s raised me. She’s provided everything for me.”
That example of resilience helped guide Abigail through the challenges of high school and toward an extraordinary future. This fall, she will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to major in biology on a pre-med track with the goal of becoming a physician.
“I want to be a dermatologist, to be specific, but I’m open to learning new medical fields and different pathways,” she said.
Her interest in medicine began at home while mother worked as a phlebotomist, exposing Abigail to healthcare from an early age.
Personal experiences also played a role.
Interest in dermatology is personal
“Growing up with acne and skin issues, I’ve always been attracted to skin,” Abigail said. “My dermatologist changed my life, and I want to be able to help other people feel confident in their skin because I know how it feels to not be so confident.”
She already has experience serving others. Abigail volunteered at White Plains Hospital as a Creative Hearts cart volunteer, delivering puzzles, cards and other items to patients and staff.
“It would make me happy to see a smile on their face when I came by,” she said. “I was able to talk to patients and just tell them that hopefully they get better and feel better.”
She has also volunteered at the Westchester Jewish Community Services group home in Eastchester and spent the past two Thanksgivings helping prepare meals at the Greater Centennial AME Church soup kitchen in Mount Vernon.
Abigail’s path to Penn came as a surprise even to her.
“Originally, that wasn’t my original plan when I applied,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to get in.”
She had planned to attend Delaware State University on a full scholarship before receiving her acceptance letter from Penn.
“When I got the acceptance to UPenn, I was like, ‘Wow, I don’t think I could pass this up!’” she said, chuckling.
At DWSA, Abigail balanced a demanding academic schedule that included AP African American Studies, AP Calculus, AP Government and Politics, and AP Art and Design. She also immersed herself in the school’s creative culture as a visual arts major.
‘We’re kooky, we’re goofy, we’re loud’
“My Denzel experience has been super fun,” she said. “We’re all art students and theater kids. We’re kooky, we’re goofy, we’re loud, we’re funny. Being in a space where I could just be myself and not worry about people judging me has been amazing.”
She credits several teachers with helping her thrive.
“I’ve created a lot of meaningful relationships with my teachers here,” Abigail said. “They noticed my potential and they’ve always been a safe space I could come to if I wanted to talk about anything.”
Among those she highlighted were chemistry teacher Dr. Stacie Deyglio and English and African American Studies teacher Raven Keys.
“They just pour so much life into me,” she said.
Abigail also received guidance from various mentors, including school counselor Nikia Jones.
“I love everyone in my support system,” she said. “I don’t think I’d be the person I am without them.”
One of the most meaningful parts of Abigail’s high school experience has been sharing it with her best friend, Sydney Whitaker, the school’s salutatorian. The two both attended Traphagen School before moving to Denzel.
Salutatorian is her best friend
“Sydney’s my best friend,” Abigail said. “We’ve known each other since the third grade, and we just stuck together.”
Their friendship came with a healthy dose of academic competition.
“She kept me on my toes all four years,” Abigail said with a laugh. “It would be like, ‘What did you get on the test?’ And I’d be like, ‘Oh, I got this,’ and she’d be like, ‘I got a 100,’ and I’d be like, ‘Dang!’”
But the competition was always rooted in friendship and mutual respect.
“All love to her,” Abigail said. “I wish her all the best. I know she’ll be successful.”
When Principal Andrea Thomas informed Abigail that she was valedictorian, she was stunned.
“I was shocked because it was always between me and Sydney,” she said. “I’m just glad I was able to do it with her. It’s my best friend. We get to receive all the glory together.”
Despite her academic success, Abigail’s journey was not without obstacles. She has battled anxiety throughout high school, particularly when it came to testing.
Lifelong struggle with anxiety
“I do have a lot of test anxiety, and I get overwhelmed very easily,” she said, adding that rather than allowing anxiety to define her, she learned how to manage it through faith, prayer and perseverance.
“When I feel anxiety, I take a step back,” Abigail said. “I pray and ask God to give me guidance because I can’t do it without Him.”
Faith also plays a central role in her life. Abigail is the head captain of her church’s Praise Dance team and helps teach and choreograph performances for younger members.
“I always talk to God,” she said. “I pray before I go to sleep. I pray before a test. Praise dancing has connected me and drawn me closer to God.”
That faith also inspired her college essay, which compared overcoming anxiety to navigating turbulence on an airplane. “You have to go through turbulence to get to your destination sometimes,” she said about the metaphor.
Looking back, Abigail sees her achievements as proof that challenges can be overcome.
“It definitely makes me feel confident,” she said. “It makes me feel like I’m ready for anything.”
A long-term vision in Mount Vernon
As she prepares for the next chapter, Abigail hopes to eventually return the support she has received.
“I definitely want to be a mentor,” she said. “I want to give back to people who were in my shoes before.”
She also hopes to one day bring her medical expertise back to the city she loves.
“Mount Vernon is my home,” Abigail said. “The people here are amazing. I definitely belong here.”
Her long-term vision includes opening her own medical practice and serving the community that helped shape her.
“I’ve gotten a lot from the people who’ve poured into me,” she said. “I feel like I should pour back out.”
For younger students following in her footsteps, Abigail offers simple but powerful advice:
“Enjoy your life. School is very important, but do things that you enjoy. Stay focused, stay dedicated and believe in yourself. Don’t ever doubt yourself because you never know what you’re capable of. You never know what door is going to open for you.”
