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Valley high school student scores big, earns nationwide scholarship

Senior Jessica Burke, found out the life-changing scholarship news, at a Hamilton High School Friday night football game.

PHOENIX — An East Valley student has earned a big scholarship, all because she took a chance and clicked a button while prepping for college.

Hamilton High senior Jessica Burke, found out the life-changing news at a Friday night football game. Just months before graduation, Burke was awarded a $40,000 scholarship for college. 

"It's definitely insane, the probability of me getting this scholarship is zero to none," Burke said. 

College Board, the organization behind the scholarship, said it only gives out two $40,000 scholarships like this every month, to students across the country.

“It’s definitely insane," Burke said. "I’m still in complete shock. I still haven’t realized - $40,000 is a lot of money and it can really help my family out.”

Burke, with a twin sister who will be in college at the same time, has been applying to as many scholarships as she can. It took her a minute to realize where this award came from.

“I actually don’t remember applying to this scholarship, but I remember seeing College Board,” Burke said.

She plans to study food science and already has a popular food blog where she shares recipes and unique cooking tips.

“Viewers through Google and Pinterest, it’s like around 2 million or 3 million a month," she said. 

Burke’s teachers like Gina Meade, said they are thrilled about her big scholarship.

“It could not have happened to a more deserving or a nicer student. Jessica works hard for everything she has," Meade said.

While $40,000 will go a long way, Burke said college is expensive and she shared tips for other students like her.

“Definitely apply to as many scholarships as you can, because you never know which one you’re going to get," she said. 

And taking her own advice, Burke plans to keep applying for more.

Through College Board’s Big Future program where this scholarship came from, more than $3 million was given in 2022.

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