Faith Odungide has been an ILTexas Eagle since the very beginning. She joined ILTexas in fourth grade when the school first opened and has been part of the ILTexas family ever since. Now a senior at ILTexas Katy-Westpark High School, Faith is soaring to new heights with her recent acceptance to Johns Hopkins University, among other notable institutions.

A Moment of Triumph

“At Johns Hopkins, I met Miss Sally, a woman working in women’s rights and health. Talking to her one-on-one, I realized, ‘Wow, this is the place where I want to be.’”

Faith’s decision to apply to Johns Hopkins was deeply personal. As a member of the Distinguished Student Ambassador Program (DSAP), she had the opportunity to visit Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). That experience opened her eyes to the intersection of international diplomacy and public health, a passion rooted in her Nigerian heritage. “Coming from a developing country such as Nigeria, our healthcare system is not as good as it is in America. My own mother struggled a lot when she was giving birth because she didn’t have access to proper resources,” Faith shared.

How ILTexas Shaped Her Path

"If I hadn’t gone to ILTexas, I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience things like Lunar New Year or truly understand other cultures."

Faith credits ILTexas for preparing her for opportunities like Johns Hopkins. She highlights the ILTexas’ unique trilingual education as a key part of her personal growth. “Coming from a Nigerian background, I was always around my family and culture, but ILTexas gave me a broader perspective.”

Beyond academics, Faith has been an active member of several student organizations, including Student Council, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and Red Cross Club. “ILTexas really encouraged me to use my voice to make a difference,” she explained. “It only takes one person to make a change, and that’s something we learn in our leadership classes.”

Faith’s involvement in DSAP was also instrumental in shaping her aspirations. “Being in DSAP opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. I wasn’t really interested in political science or law before, but I realized there’s so much that goes into it. It’s easy to judge something from the outside, but once you really sit down and learn about it, you understand how important it is.”

Family, Inspiration, and Looking Ahead

“There was never any pressure—they always made me feel like their equal."

Faith comes from a family of high achievers and ILTexas alumni, with one brother attending Columbia University and another at Duke University. Despite their impressive accomplishments, Faith says she never felt pressure only encouragement.

For younger ILTexas students dreaming of attending top universities, Faith offers simple yet powerful advice: “Go out there. My freshman year, I stayed in my own circle, but by sophomore year, I realized I needed to get involved. I joined soccer, Student Council, NHS. If you’re scared, just give it a try. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn, or how you’ll grow.”
As she prepares for her next chapter, Faith remains committed to continuous learning and growth. “My father always tells me, ‘You have to learn, you have to continuously be a learner.  You can never stop learning, growing in your mind, your body, even your character and that's one of our missions here at ILTexas.”

Faith’s journey at ILTexas has been one of exploration, leadership, and transformation. As she moves forward, there’s no doubt she will continue to make an impact, just as she has throughout her time as an ILTexas Eagle. Congratulations, Faith! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish!