Abby Yeager one of two national scholarship winners
Rising senior Abby Yeager created an online SAT prep account for Kim Dilts English class.
In doing so, she won a $40,000 college scholarship through College Board’s BigFuture Scholarship program.
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The program awards several $500 scholarships each month, but only two of those individuals are selected to win a $40,000 scholarship.
Yeager was one of two winners selected nation-wide, and is only the third in Indiana.
The scholarship was a surprise to Yeager.
“Abby I am excited to share with you why you are really here today, not for a leadership meeting,” Kelly said.
Kelly then awarded Yeager with the scholarship.
Yeager intends to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically either as a nurse or as a physician’s assistant.
“I’m so happy,” Yeager said.
“Powered by College Board, BigFuture simplifies the path to life after high school by recommending small steps that all students – no matter their high school – can take at just the right time to explore career interests, identify potential majors, find colleges and scholarships, and access financial aid. It rewards the effort students take by providing chances at scholarships,” a press release reads.
“Now more than ever, students need simple and credible tools to help them choose the college and career that’s right for them,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “We’ve integrated these scholarship steps into BigFuture so every student – no matter where they are on their journey to college – can take the steps Abby Yeager has taken to raise their hands and earn themselves a big future.”
The steps students can take to be eligible include building a college list, practicing for the SAT, exploring scholarships, strengthening their college list, completing the FAFSA and applying for colleges.
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“In a lot of ways it's life-changing because that debt is not there later. We’re just very happy for her,” Owen Valley High School Principal Robert Boltinghouse said.
“I’m just very proud of her and her efforts,” Superintendent Andy Cline said. “It is a true blessing for them.”
When asked what advice Yeager has for other students, she said, “Just keep working hard. It might surprise you one day.”
This article originally appeared on Evening World: College Board presents scholarship to Owen Valley student
