By Mia Miller | Staff Writer
In just four short years, Buford High School graduate Uzoamaka “Tedra” Ibegbulam went from a timid freshman to an outgoing, involved senior.
“Volunteering at the RedCross blood drive, standing on the sidelines with the football team as a student athletic trainer, and even competing at club events have all evolved me into the person I am today,” Tedra says. “Something I have learned at Buford, and my advice to underclassmen, is to be as involved as possible. Through going down athletic or fine arts avenues, students have a way to make lifelong friends. These connections can impact your life forever.”
While at Buford High School, Tedra was a member of a number of clubs and organizations, including the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, Health Occupations Students of America and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She was also a varsity football and boys lacrosse student athletic trainer. She played tennis her freshman and sophomore years.
“Being a student athletic trainer aid for football and boys lacrosse has allowed me to meet so many different people while also learning and improving on the skills needed to advance in health care,” Tedra says. “Through this program, I have made a new family that will last forever.”
Tedra showed academic excellence with a GPA of 4.0. In addition to maintaining a stellar GPA, she was named to the all A-honor roll since 2019 and was named a College Board AP Distinct Scholar in 2022.
She credited science teacher Lisa Cole and social studies teacher Gail Harris with having the most significant impact on her high school career.
“Ms. Cole sparked my love for science by encouraging me through her rigorous AP chemistry class,” Tedra says. “And for Mrs. Harris, not only did she allow me to be myself in her class, but she encouraged me to laugh and have fun while in AP U.S. history.”
As she prepared for graduation, one of her favorite memories she will carry with her was creating thank-you cards for medical professionals involved with Buford City Schools. The goal of the service project was to allow students to show appreciation for medical professionals who had an impact of then while attending Buford High School. This was the first project Tedra had taken the lead on.
Tedra plans to attend Mercer University to major in biochemistry and molecular biology under the pre-medicine track or enroll at the University of Georgia to major in molecular biology.
When she has free time, Tedra spends it hanging out with her siblings and close friends, crocheting, playing tennis, reading and going to the gym.
Tedra is the daughter of Ted and Chidinma Ibegbulam. She is the oldest sister of five younger siblings — Jasmine, 16, Brian, 14, and Justin, 12, all students in the Buford City Schools System, and 2-year-old Jessica. Her seven-member family resides in Buford.
In looking back on her high school career, Tedra says, “I know my freshman year self would be so excited to see all the amazing things I’ve gotten to experience.”
The Buford City Schools’ Student Spotlight is made possible by the generosity of the City of Buford.
