The Boston Globe reported that a Fitchburg High School graduate named Verda Tetteh walked up to the lectern during her high school graduation and requested that the school awarded her a $40,000 scholarship to another student who needs assistance paying for community college.
The Harvard-bound scholar accepted Fitchburg High School’s General Excellence Award on June 4, 2021. After listening to her school’s assistant principal speak about selflessness and doing the right thing, Tetteh was immediately inspired to act.
“I am so very grateful for this, but I also know that I am not the one who needs this the most,” Tetteh proclaimed onstage.
Tetteh already has a great deal of help covering expenses when she attends Harvard University. Additionally, she witnessed her mother’s educational journey to earn a bachelor’s degree at the age of 47 by attending community college, said The Boston Globe.
Tonight | Massachusetts student Verda Tetteh tells @caroloffcbc she was thinking of her mom when she returned to her graduation stage and asked for her scholarship to be given to someone who needed it more.https://t.co/RcwqMIavFE
— As It Happens (@cbcasithappens) June 9, 2021
CBS News said that her mother, Rosemary Tetteh, struggled when she was attending community college. Her 17-year-old daughter remains inspired by the woman who cheered loudly when the new high school graduate verbalized her decision to help someone else instead of simply thinking of herself.
“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,” Rosemary told CBS News.
She and her mom moved here from Ghana when she was a kid.
Mom made it by working and studying at a community college.
The daughter is headed to Harvard.
She just won a $40,000 award—and asked donors to give it to someone going to community college instead.https://t.co/tyDnkpWfKQ— David Beard (@dabeard) June 9, 2021
According to CBS News, Tetteh said that giving what little you have and thinking of others while thinking of how you can assist them is all it takes to lend a hand. Although it is unclear who will receive the scholarship from the Massachusetts resident, it will surely make a positive impact. Someone will find it hard to forget the moving story behind the special gift.
On June 4th,2021, @verdatetteh recapped how proud she is to graduate alongside people who have climbed an academic hill with her.
“We had an amazing graduation, and I’m so glad I got to spend these four years with my amazing friends and the RESILIENT class of 2021! #thehillweclimb,” Verda posted on her Instagram account.