Northside alum returns to talk to students about Ivy League experience

It hasn't been that long since Johnny Fells III was walking the halls at Northside High School.

But this young man is already committed to giving back to his school.

Fells, a 2009 Northside High School graduate, visited the school last week and spoke with several classes about college.

Fells, a graduate of Columbia University, is employed at Goldman Sacs. He is the son of Houston County Deputy Sheriff Cora Fells.

Fells got started on his journey to the Ivy League in ninth grade with the science fair.

"I didn't have access to anything," Fells said. "But I came up with a test on vegetables in hydrogen peroxide. I did 150 tests."

Fells said he didn't win, but a professor from Fort Valley State University noticed his project.

"I had recorded everything. I had three log books," Fells said. "He commented on my dedication and invited me to work on a project at Fort Valley State."

The next year, he was selected as an alternate for an international science competition.

"I got feedback from the judges, and they commented that my speaking was a little off in the interview portion so I joined debate at Northside and my speaking developed," Fells said.

Fells competed in over 50 science competitions during high school, including regional competitions and international ones.

"My biggest motivation was to compete with myself and stay focused," Fells said.

He decided to shoot for the stars when it came to college and applied to Ivy League schools. Fells graduated from Columbia in 2015 and had over $50,000 in scholarships.

"College and high school are totally different," Fells said. "The first thing I had to do was learn how to study."

Fells told Northside students that he struggled some during his first years in college.

Changing majors, learning how to motivate yourself and accepting that there is always going to be someone smarter than you are keys to success, Fells told the students.

"College is going to shape you into an adult. You are there for a reason," said Fells, who advised students to start looking at colleges during their 10th grade year.

By 11th grade, Fells told the students to start applying to school and for scholarship money.

"I went into my senior year with a list of schools," Fells said. "I wanted to have all my applications done by November so I could concentrate on science competitions and scholarships. Find what you are good in and look for scholarships in that area."

Fells and his mother started a foundation to help children who might not have the supplies to get started in science competitions,

"Someone helped me get started. Life is about connections, and I wanted you to know that you have a connection out there, " Fells said. "You have a connection if you are interested in the Ivy League schools."

Alline Kent can be reached at 396-2467 or allinekent@cox.net.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 10:01 PM with the headline "Northside alum returns to talk to students about Ivy League experience ."