Lamont Newell Goes to College

May 8, 2026, 20:51
USSociety

Introduction

Lamont Newell is a student from South Los Angeles. He got into 65 colleges. He chose Columbia University.

Main Body

Lamont is 17 years old. He was the best student in his high school. He will study engineering at Columbia University. The university pays for all his classes. Lamont had a hard life. He and his mother had no home for some time. They slept in a car. Lamont learned how to code at a local center when he was a child. Lamont is the first man in his family to finish high school and go to college. He wants to help other Black children. He wants to start a school for science and math.

Conclusion

Lamont had a difficult life, but now he has a full scholarship at a great university.

Learning

The 'Will' Trick for the Future

Look at this sentence: "He will study engineering."

When we talk about things that are definitely happening later, we use will + action.

Examples from the story:

  • He will study → (Future action)

Try these patterns:

  • I will go to school.
  • She will help people.
  • They will learn English.

'The First' vs 'The Best' (Identifying People)

In the text, we see "the best student" and "the first man."

Use The + [Special Word] + Person to show someone is unique.

  • The best → Number 1 in quality.
  • The first → Number 1 in a line or order.

Quick Guide: The best → Amazing/Top\text{Amazing/Top} The first → Before everyone else\text{Before everyone else}

Vocabulary Learning

student (n.)
A person who is learning at a school or college.
Example:She is a student who studies biology.
college (n.)
An institution where people study after high school.
Example:He plans to go to college next year.
engineering (n.)
The study of how to design and build things.
Example:She is learning engineering to build bridges.
university (n.)
A big school where people study to get degrees.
Example:They attended a university in the city.
class (n.)
A group of lessons that a student attends.
Example:The math class starts at nine o’clock.
home (n.)
A place where a person lives.
Example:After school, he goes home to play.
car (n.)
A vehicle that runs on roads.
Example:They slept in a car for a night.
code (v.)
To write instructions for a computer.
Example:He learns to code in Python.
family (n.)
People related by blood or marriage.
Example:She has a big family.
school (n.)
A place where children learn.
Example:The school is closed on holidays.
science (n.)
The study of the natural world.
Example:She loves science and wants to be a scientist.
math (n.)
The study of numbers and shapes.
Example:Math is a difficult subject for many students.