“Link has truly been the launching pad to my success. For they instilled in me that I am someone special, and gave me the encouragement to believe that I could be the catalyst for change.” From a speech by Olajide Araromi ’98, presented at Link’s A Taste of Newark 2011.
Olajide Araromi ’98 presented the alumni speech at Link’s 14th annual A Taste of Newark in November 16, 2011, speaking to the impact Link has had on his success. Olajide stated that his parents and Link both emphasized the importance of education and of giving back to the community. He averred that “…not only does Link tend to its students scholastic needs, but it also develop its students as citizens, with the emphasis that each student is an integral part of his or her community.”
This sense of community service stuck with him. After Link, Olajide attended Seton Hall Prep, Rutgers University and finally Rutgers School of Law, and now he serves his community as an assistant prosecutor for Essex County. He stated emphatically, “I honestly do not believe that I would have been able to achieve as much as I have without Link. Link has truly been the launching pad to my success. For they instilled in me that I am someone special, and gave me the encouragement to believe that I could be the catalyst for change.”
Olajide continued by thanking Link’s generous donors, not only for the education he received at Link, but also that of his four younger siblings, all who attended Link and who have met with great success. He said, “If that is not a return on your investment, I don’t know what is. Believe me there’s a lot more where we came from. By that, I don’t mean my brothers and sisters but Link success stories. Thank you once again for your support.”
