Student Headed To Harvard Gives Her $40,000 Scholarship To A Student Attending Community College
Student Headed To Harvard Gives Her $40,000 Scholarship To A Student Attending Community College
A Massachusetts high school senior heading to Harvard has asked that a $40,000 scholarship she earned be given instead to a student who needs it more.
Verda and her mother / CBS News
Verda Tetteh will be attending the prestigious Harvard University in the fall on a full scholarship, but she knows how a community college can change someone’s life, as her mother attended one at 39.
So, when she won an additional $40,000 scholarship from her high school at last week’s graduation ceremony that could be used for expenses, the 17-year-old asked that it be given to someone who is attending community college.
“I am so very grateful for this but I also know that I am not the one who needs this the most,” she told graduation attendees.
“And knowing my mom went to community college, and how much that was helpful, I would be so very grateful if administration … would consider giving the general excellence scholarship to someone who’s going to community college.”
Her mother cheered from the crowd.
“I was just happy, I stood up and started shouting so loud! I was afraid those in front of me would be like, ‘Why is she that loud?’ But I was so happy with her decision,” her mother told CBS News.
Watch the video below.