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Raiders Honor Yale-Bound Oakland Teen For 5.0 GPA, 2100 SAT Score

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- The Oakland Raiders opened their doors Tuesday to a young, multi-talented genius. He is not their latest draft pick, but an Ivy League-bound teenager who has taken the country by storm with his academic success.

Akintunde Ahmad, a senior at Oakland Technical High School, was treated to a shopping spree in the team store.

"Coming out of high school I would have wished I had a 4.0, and here this guy has a 5.0. It's amazing," said Raiders wide receiver Rod Streator.

'Tunde, as he calls himself, is sporting a perfect 5.0 GPA and scored 2100 on his SAT test. He plays French horn and African drums in the orchestra and is a standout on the school's baseball team.

Lately, he also has spent his spare time as a television celebrity. 'Tunde has chosen to attend Yale in the fall and has been receiving donations to cover the costs. During a recent appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," he received a $15,000 check.

Back at school, his Principal said 'Tunde and his friends are setting an important example for the rest of the students.

"Because so many of our kids don't see a way out, they don't have the role model. And 'Tunde is a walking role model," said Oakland Technical High Principal Staci Ross-Morrison.

When asked if he felt comfortable being called a role model, 'Tunde said, "Yeah, it kind of adds pressure, but it kind of makes me check myself to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to be."

'Tunde feels the overwhelming reaction to his academic success is also a reflection on Oakland itself.

"Because a lot of times they portray our city in a negative light and focus on bad news. So, I think a lot of people were just really happy that we had some positive news that a lot of people could relate with," he said.

Education is a family tradition in the Ahmad family. 'Tunde's mother is a principal at a middle school in Piedmont.

He said he has already raised about half of what he will need to cover his college expenses.

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