‘He did it’: Teen fights brain tumor to graduate high school

News Anchor

There was no way Nijah Howard was missing his high school graduation.

Every student who walks the stage to accept their diploma has their own story of challenges and accomplishments.

For Nijah, in particular, the moment was met through faith and optimism in the face of a very difficult diagnosis.

Nijah’s journey

Baltimore sister station WBAL first shared Nijah’s story in March 2025, of the high school football player who was sidelined by a rare and aggressive brain tumor.

Nijah endured surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and physical therapy — all while holding fast to his goal to get better and to graduate.

Last summer, at Baltimore Ravens Training Camp, it was evident that for Nijah, it was a hard time, but he was living true to his own hashtag, #NijahStrong.

Nine months later, Nijah’s tumor has shrunk considerably after having finished chemo in April. Then, he received his diploma on May 29 — with straight A’s.

Archive video below: High school football star shares battle with cancer (March 2025)

Nijah showed WBAL the items that recognize his accomplishments: “This is my football pin, my basketball pin, my track pin, my 2026 pin, my championship ring, junior class ring, National Honor Society of High School Scholars.”

Asked how he got to graduation, Nijah said it was “with confidence, bravery, my parents, my mom, God.”

“He looks well, so full, so proud, head held high,” said Nijah’s mother, Chesia Howard.

Classmates defy decades-old protocol to honor Nijah

For a number of reasons, the 62nd commencement exercises for Baltimore’s Archbishop Curley High School were unlike any other at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

Curley’s graduation at the historic cathedral is a formal and reverential ceremony with an emphasis on faith, brotherhood and community.

“I am so in awe of him for all he’s accomplished, for all he’s been through.”

Family and friends in attendance are admonished not to clap for individual graduates, keeping the ceremony solemn. But to the surprise of Nijah and his family, that rule was broken for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The seniors had decided amongst themselves to honor Nijah with a standing ovation, and the principal said that even though it defied protocol, there was no way they were saying no to that.

Commencement only a beginning for Nijah

For a moment that wasn’t promised — but was never doubted by a family of great belief and hope — Nijah’s grandmother, Beverly Ames, fought back tears outside the cathedral.

“He did it. Thank God. By the grace of God, he did it,” Ames said.

“I am so in awe of him for all he’s accomplished, for all he’s been through,” said James Howard, Nijah’s grandfather.

Archive video below: Nijah visits Baltimore Ravens Training Camp (July 2025)

As the moment was savored, it was clear that this commencement was, in fact, a beginning for a young man who taught his community — students and teachers alike — about resilience.

“To see him strive to be at school every day was powerful for us. It was a chance to be inspired by the journey he was going through,” Curley Principal Jeremy Joseph said. “He certainly taught us a lot.”

“Through trials and tribulations, even though there are setbacks, (I) keep moving forward because, eventually, when you overcome them, you’ll be more ahead than what you were before,” Nijah said.

Nijah now goes off to college at Bowie State University on a full scholarship.