Helms Ategeka, an 18-year-old high school graduate from Oakland, California, aspires to become a pop star. Despite his father’s initial concerns about the financial stability of a career in music, Helms applied to over 150 colleges last fall. To his surprise, he received acceptance letters from 122 schools along with $5.3 million in grant and scholarship offers. His father, Chris Ategeka, initially struggled to reconcile Helms’ passion for music with his own desire for his son to pursue a more conventional career, like medicine or computer technology. However, he ultimately came to support Helms’ dream after witnessing his determination and hard work.
Helms had a key requirement when applying to colleges: the school had to have a strong music program. He spent countless hours writing essays and applying to schools online, utilizing his father’s financial support for application fees. Despite facing rejection from a few schools, Helms received acceptance letters from a wide range of institutions across the country, including UC Berkeley. Immigrating to the US from Uganda just before the pandemic, Helms experienced challenges in adapting to a new culture and education system, but he was determined to go all out in the application process.
Helms’ modern drama teacher, Ricky Lapidus, highlighted his love for learning and empathy towards others as key factors that made Helms stand out. Through studying school websites and having candid conversations with his father about the realities of a music career, Helms used his father’s own words to help sway his decision in favor of pursuing music. As an immigrant parent, Chris Ategeka initially struggled with his traditional views on success and lucrative career paths, but he gradually came to accept and support Helms’ passion for music.
After months of research and evaluating his options, Helms ultimately chose to attend UC Berkeley to study music, following in his father’s footsteps. The school’s diverse music programs and quality performances played a significant role in his decision-making process. As a part of a growing demographic of students from immigrant families, Helms represents a changing face of higher education in the US. Despite the challenges facing US colleges and universities, including protests and debates about free speech, Helms is excited to embark on this new chapter in his life and pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician.
Chris Ategeka believes that college is a place where young minds can reshape the future and build a better world. He sees Helms’ journey as a reminder to be open to new possibilities and different ways of thinking. While attending UC Berkeley, Helms will have the opportunity to immerse himself in a vibrant musical environment and continue his journey towards fulfilling his dream of becoming a successful pop singer.
