Recent Fitchburg High School graduate Verda Tetteh performed an inspirational act of generosity when she asked her Massachusetts high school to re-allocate a scholarship she was awarded to other students attending a community college instead.
During HS graduation Verda Tetteh gave back a $40k scholarship to go to someone more in need. Her classmates gave her standing ovation. She is an immigrant from Ghana whose mother worked 80 hr weeks. We are lucky to have such amazing people in America. https://t.co/Cr5saVb492 pic.twitter.com/CaiWskX1sN
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) June 13, 2021
Want to believe in the goodness of some? Read this. This wonderful young woman renews hope we can be better. Thank you, @VerdaTettehhttps://t.co/NwBqSWT5CO
— Lee Smith (@EldeesMyth) June 13, 2021
According to The Washington Post, the high school’s award was established by the family of an alumnus, granting $10,000 annually to a recipient for four years of higher education. The principal of Fitchburg High School, Jeremy Roche, revealed that more than one student will benefit from Tetteh’s selflessness because of the size of her scholarship award.
“It is such a great honor, but I also know that I am not the most in need of it,” Tetteh said Friday, “I would be so very grateful if the administration would be – would consider giving the – general excellence scholarship to someone who’s going to community college.”
Tetteh will be studying chemistry and pursuing a pre-med track at Harvard. She will still be supported by several smaller scholarships and financial aid.
Hardworking, Dedicated, and Persevering
Tetteh moved to the United States from Ghana with her mother and siblings when she was eight years old. Aside from her schooling, she also worked at a grocery store throughout the pandemic. This meant coming home at nine in the evening on most days, only to dive straight into her schoolwork into the early hours of the morning.
Her parents also worked long hours at a group home for people with disabilities.
Tetteh revealed to The Boston Globe that she decided to give away the scholarship when listening to her school leaders encourage graduates to be “selfless” and “bold.” She was also inspired by her faith and her mother, Rosemary Annan, who obtained her bachelor’s degree from a community college at the age of 47.