ENGLEWOOD, New Jersey (WABC) — A high school senior in New Jersey who got into 20 colleges has drawn strength from a very important stuffed animal in his life.

He’s worn and tattered but don’t judge a book by its cover. Chris Butcher says his stuffed animal played a huge part of him getting into 20 colleges — including six Ivy Leagues.

But more importantly, it helped the 18-year-old come to terms with his Blackness.

The Dalmatian actually belonged to Butcher’s older brother,