High School Awards Graduate $40k Scholarship And She Returns To Podium To Refuse It

Senior high school graduate Verda Tetteh shocked everyone when she requested her $40,000 scholarship go to someone else.

Most senior high school graduates aren’t making life-changing decisions during their graduation ceremonies, but Verda Tetteh did.

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In fact, instead of thinking about an upcoming senior trip or graduation party, Verda was making a $40,000 decision without advice or guidance from anyone.  

During Verda’s recent graduation from Fitchburg High School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the senior high school graduate made a decision that both shocked and inspired parents, students, and staff. In fact, her decision resulted in a standing ovation for Verda by her fellow graduates. But, given what we have learned about Verda, it is unlikely that she was much moved by the admiration shown to her. 

Senior High School Graduate Decides To Bless Others

Verda came from Ghana to the United States with her mother and siblings when she was just 8 years old. Verda’s mother,  Rosemary Annan, often worked 80 hours each week to provide for her family, in addition to starting community college at the age of 39.

Clearly, Verda learned from Rosemary’s example of hard work. She completed her senior year with straight A’s, which earned her several scholarships. 

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Fitchburg High School awarded the senior high school graduate with the General Excellence Scholarship for $40,000. With Verda’s plans to study chemistry and pre-med at Harvard, that money would definitely be a help. But moments after accepting the hard-earned scholarship, Verda returned to the podium and refused her award. Instead, she requested it go to one or more other students who will attend community college just like her mom. 

"I would be so very grateful if administration would be – would consider giving the – general excellence scholarship to someone who's going to community college," Tetteh said.

"That touched my heart, I would do that, I know I would do that, she's learned from me over the years," said Tetteh's mother, Rosemary Annan.

“I’ve always been taught that we're blessed, to be a blessing to others," said Tetteh. 

Graduate's Act Of Kindness Is Inspiring

Verda admitted that she could have used the scholarship. But the senior high school graduate also earned several smaller scholarships that will help her tremendously. Verda felt strongly that there were others who had greater need. And she wanted the scholarship money to be used to help them.

Verda wasn’t consulting anyone when she made her stunning decision to return the scholarship. But she’s been watching and learning all of her life. Verda’s stellar character and kindness, humility and gratefulness are obvious, and we’re betting Rosemary has had a lot to do with that. Thanks, Rosemary, for raising such a lovely young woman. We know she’s only just begun blessing others!  

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“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

WATCH: Senior High School Graduate Gives Away $40k Scholarship

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h/t: NBC10 Boston

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Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.