Virginia high school senior accepted into 40 colleges, offered over $1.6M in scholarships – KIRO 7 News Seattle

FRANKLIN, VA. – Applying to college can be a nerve-wracking experience. There is always uncertainty about not being accepted by the college one wants to attend.

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A high school graduate from Virginia had a different problem. Sam Lyons, who attends Franklin High School, has entered 40 colleges and received more than $ 1.6 million in scholarships, WAVY-TV reported.

“He is the first student since I was at FHS to have entered so many colleges and earned this huge amount of scholarship money himself,” said Ale Massenburg, Franklin High School advisor, in a press release Friday.

More offers could follow, said Massenburg.

Super senior! Franklin High School student Sam Lyons started applying to colleges in August 2020 and his hard work has paid off. He was accepted to 40 colleges and has received $ 1.6 million in scholarships! He went to Virginia Commonwealth University that fall. Congratulations Sam! pic.twitter.com/nQO9gWrf7d

– Geena Arevalo (@GeenaA_WAVY) May 8, 2021

Some of the admission letters the 18-year-old received were from the University of Richmond, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Ferrum College, WTKR reported.

Lyons began submitting applications last August, WAVY reported.

Lyons used the Common app and the Coalition for College application to apply to colleges, but said he still had many essays to write.

“It was very time consuming. I had to manage my time while applying to so many schools and studying virtually, ”Lyons told WVEC. “I didn’t really know what to expect since this was my first time applying to colleges. I didn’t expect to be offered so much scholarship money. “

Even if offers are received, Lyons has already made its decision. After graduating in June, Lyon will visit the Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, WAVY reported. According to the TV station, he received the VCU Engineering Progressive Award for $ 30,000.

Lyons plans to major in computer engineering.

Administrators at his high school have no doubt that Lyon will be successful.

“We know Sam will do great things. Sam has proven that being smart is cool, ”Franklin CEO Travis Felts told WAVY. “He’s self-motivated, he’s determined, he’s serious about academics.”

“Samuel Lyons is one of the most focused students I’ve ever worked with,” Massenburg told WTKR. “He’s very intelligent and has an amazing personality. He knows who he is and what his future should look like. Throughout high school, he diligently did his best and remained attentive to his goals. An authentic game changer is about to enter society. “

Applying and then making your decision was stressful, but Lyons kept his focus.

“I had to imagine my future,” Lyons told WAVY. “If I didn’t feel like doing the job, I had to get it.

“I want to thank everyone because it was a trip. Hopefully I’ll be successful and see my hard work pay off. “