Amir Robinson has had his sights set on graduation since the seventh grade when he learned about dual enrollment and career certifications from a teacher. Growing up as the third oldest of nine children, Robinson learned the value of responsibility and teamwork at a young age.
Since then, he has been diligently pursuing his passion for sports and education. What started as a plan to graduate high school early eventually turned into a love for the culinary arts and an opportunity to play Division 1 football.
Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout his eighth grade and freshman years, Robinson was determined to stay academically engaged. By enrolling in the Atlanta Virtual Academy and taking middle and high school courses simultaneously, he was able to focus on football as well as pursue other interests.
Those interests guided him to the Atlanta College and Career Academy (ACCA), where he gained his certification in Culinary Arts after developing a passion for cooking from his family’s long line of phenomenal cooks.
Although Robinson’s passions led him to graduate on time instead of early, his path secured a football scholarship to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he will play linebacker and major in engineering management.
Robinson graduates May 21 from B.E.S.T. Academy as a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, captain of the varsity football team, and as one of Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) eight REACH Georgia Scholars for the Class of 2024.
Self-directed and goal-oriented, Robinson is an accomplished example of the APS Profile of a Graduate.
We sat down with Robinson during his final week of school to learn about his future plans and what inspired his determination.
B.E.S.T. Academy Class of 2024 senior Amir Robinson. Photo credit: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
What peaked your interest in Culinary Arts?
Growing up in the culture that I did, my mom, grandmother, and my aunts knew how to cook. It was always a competition when it came to cooking. Everybody just wanted to be able to cook the best and so I found a little passion in that. I decided this is what I want to do. Maybe, if I’m good enough at it, I can take it somewhere and do something with it in the future. But for right now, I’m just doing it because I enjoy it.
Would you recommend someone enroll in the ACCA program?
I would because you are able to get your legal certification in certain pathways that would allow you to gain real world experience. For example, I’m certified. I can go work at a restaurant right now without having to take that course because you have to take courses before you can work in fast food and restaurants, but I already have that classification.
What are your plans after graduation?
This coming fall I will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. I will be majoring in engineering management. After my tenure at the school is over, I will be enlisting as a military officer.
How do you plan to use your degree at West Point to be of service in the military?
There are different occupations you can take up in the military with an engineering degree, but I personally want to be an on-base engineer. You have different types of field engineers and different types of on-base engineers. You have those who work on vehicles, those who work on a plethora of other things. But I personally want to fit in where I can and just learn what I can to be the best at.
What’s one fun fact about you that others don’t know?
I’m a pretty normal person, so I don’t really get into a lot of stuff. I just like working out and getting done what I have to get done. But a fun fact about myself that I would say is, if I wasn’t going to school for football, it would definitely be baseball or golf.
