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East Boston high school student surprised with college scholarship

BOSTON — An East Boston High School senior walked into class Tuesday as just another student, but walked out with the surprise of a lifetime.

Boston 25 was there when the Yesica Calderon was greeted with screams and cheers from her fellow students – and even her family.

Calderon was surprised with the news that she’d been accepted to Regis College. But the organization ‘Scholar Athletes’ also presented her with a full tuition scholarship for all four years.

“I didn't think that was possible. I would cry.  There were nights I would cry, not knowing what I would do with my future,” Calderon told Boston 25 News.

Scholar Athletes works with Boston Public Schools to reduce the opportunity gap for urban high school students.
It's easy to see why they chose Yesica.

She has a 4.8 grade point average in honors classes, she has been a caption of the girls' soccer team for two years and she has spent hundreds of hours with Scholar Athletes to make sure she hits her goals in and out of the classroom.

“Her hard work, her dedication. She is the true meaning of a scholar athlete,” headmaster Phillip Brangiforte said. “We are proud of you. We are proud of your family.

Her years of hard work have paid off for the rest of her life.

“I'm really thankful for this opportunity. Thank you so much,” Calderon said.

Each year, Scholar Athletes works with thousands of student athletes and 91 percent of them were accepted to college last year.