Fitchburg Grad Asks School To Give Scholarship To Someone Else

FITCHBURG, MA — A Fitchburg High School graduate bound for Harvard floored her classmates, family and faculty Friday night by turning down her $40,000 scholarship and asking that it be given to someone else instead.

Verda Tetteh says she turned down the scholarship after her school's assistant principal spoke of being selfless and helpful to others in need according to an article posted by the Boston Globe. When she went to accept her General Excellence Award, she says she felt that she was not the one who needed the money the most.

“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 … scholarship to someone who is going to community college.” Tetteh said onstage.

Known as the most prestigious honor for a graduating Fitchburg senior, the General Excellence award is paired with the $10,000 George K Progin Scholarship, which is renewable for four years.

Tetteh says she will meet with Fitchburg High’s principal, Jeremy Roche, to discuss how they will be re-awarding the scholarship.