Verda Tetteh, a Ghanaian born who immigrated to the U.S. with her family gave back her $40,000 scholarship financial aid for her Harvard education to someone who needed it more.

The 17-year-old delivered a powerful address on resilience at the beginning of the Massachusetts school’s June 4 graduation ceremony.

“And I say resilient because if we are being honest with ourselves, some of us were born with the odds stacked against us that we may not make it to today,” Tetteh said in her speech. “And I say resilient because all of us, teachers, faculty, and students alike were given a great challenge when the pandemic hit. But we were and we are resilient, and we did it” She said.

After she took her seat, Tetteh was announced as one of the two winners of the $40,000 scholarship – and it shocked her.

“I mean I applied for it a month ago but also a ton of other amazing students applied so I didn’t know I was going to get it,” Tetteh told USA TODAY.

After she received the award, she listened to the assistant principal talk about being “selfless” and “bold.” That’s when she made the decision.

“I am so very grateful for this, but I also know that I am not the one who needs this the most,” Tetteh said. She had been awarded other scholarships and financial aid that she plans on using to fund her education.
She encouraged incoming high school students to keep their eyes open in their community.

“You can make a change in every community because you know that the world is always improving, so keep an eye open for what you can do and then be bold and be courageous, and work hard towards that change,” She added.