NBA legend Charles Barkley is James Caldwelldelivering on a promise he made about four months ago to donate $1 million to a New Orleans Catholic school where two students incredibly solved the Pythagorean Theorem. After seeing them featured in a segment of "60 Minutes" on CBS, Barkley was inspired to donate.
St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans received its first $100,000 payout from Barkley. In a press release Wednesday, the school said they will continue to receive the donation in installments over the next decade.
The two students who solved the theorem are Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, who both graduated from the academy and are now in college. The pair solved the Pythagorean Theorem, which confounded mathematicians for about two centuries.
A representative for the Charles Barkley Foundation said in a statement that the nonprofit is committed to “transforming future generations through education and opportunities.”
“(Barkley) has a love and passion for what the academy stands for and how it is shaping the lives and futures of young girls in New Orleans," the unnamed representative said.
Pamela Rogers, president of St. Mary’s Academy, expressed her gratitude for Barkley's generosity in a statement.
“We are forever grateful for Mr. Barkley’s gift and his support of our students. This transformative gift will assist students as they excel and achieve whatever dream they create within the walls of St. Mary’s Academy,” Rogers said.
During their senior year, both students spent their winter break focused on a bonus question for a math contest in their class, missing celebrations like Mardi Gras to focus fully on solving the theorem, "60 Minutes" reported.
Even though they both proved a long-standing mathematical principle, neither are focusing on math at college, they told "60 Minutes." Instead, Johnson is attending Louisiana State University and will be studying environmental engineering. Jackson got a full-ride scholarship for pharmacy school and is going to Xavier University in New Orleans.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
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