Nine unsuspecting D.C. area high school students got the surprise of a lifetime Wednesday: a full scholarship to The George Washington University.
GW President Steven Knapp and a "prize patrol" hand-delivered acceptance letters to students in eight high schools. The Stephen Joel Trachtenberg scholarship is a full ride -- tuition, room, board, books and fees are all included.
"I applied to several schools but GW was at the top of the list," said Byron Fullerton of McKinley Technology High School.
The annual program has given the scholarships to 155 students over the past 26 years, according to the school. GW said it chooses recipients based on a combination of merit-based factors, including GPA, recommendations, leadership and extracurricular activities.
"The best part of my job is giving these scholarships to such talented and hardworking young women and men," Knapp said.
The 2015 winners are:
Mario Velasquez of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
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Lashae Hunter of Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy
Matthew Jenkins of KIPP DC College Preparatory
Bruce Beuzard IV of KIPP DC College Preparatory
Byron Fullerton of McKinley Technology High School
Carlos Palencia of the School Without Walls Senior High School
Elissa Hipolito-Magsalin of St. John’s College High School
Faith Hudson of Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School
Coumba Gueye of Washington Latin Public Charter School
Congratulations to Cesar Chavez School's Lashae Hunter, #GWU's first #SJT scholar! pic.twitter.com/GcmSHH6Qfc
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
Washington Latin's Coumba Gueye and her mom are thrilled! Congrats on the #GWU #SJT scholarship! pic.twitter.com/zcDXYlIi96
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
Welcome to #GWU, Elissa Hipolito-Magsalin, our newest #SJT scholar! pic.twitter.com/uJyT1p5GPH
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
Faith Hudson from Thurgood Marshall is #GWU's next #SJT scholar! Congrats, Faith! pic.twitter.com/0ET8d8off4
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
An exciting day for Bruce Beuzard and Matthew Jenkins from @KIPP_DC, two of #GWU 's new #SJT scholars! Congrats! pic.twitter.com/XiG5UTCG0b
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
Byron Fullerton from McKinley Tech is a new #GWU #SJT scholar! Congratulations, Byron!! pic.twitter.com/Y8AvTDNKMv
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
That's one happy mom and son! Congrats, Mario Velasquez, on your #GWU #SJT scholarship! pic.twitter.com/vKLwFc6KHY
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015
Our final #SJT scholar of the year: Carlos Palencia! Congratulations and welcome to #GWU! pic.twitter.com/0eZFIeoYJV
— GW University (@GWtweets) March 18, 2015