Northeast High School senior surprised with $40K BigFuture scholarship – WBFF
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by ALEXA DIKOS | FOX45 NEWS
PASADENA, Md. (WBFF) — A Northeast High School senior received a life-changing surprise Monday morning when she was awarded a $40,000 scholarship from the College Board’s BigFuture program during a school assembly she thought was just about college planning.
The assembly began as a routine event for the senior class, who gathered to hear representatives from the College Board speak about scholarship opportunities.
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But just minutes into the presentation, officials announced that Zhane Wiggins was one of two winners of the $40,000 BigFuture Scholarship for the month.
A standout student, Wiggins is actively involved in Northeast’s AVID program, Human Performance Signature Program, and the cheerleading team.
She already has an internship in physical therapy and hopes to turn that experience into a full-time career, according to AACPS.
Her list of potential colleges includes the University of Maryland, Texas A&M, North Carolina A&T, James Madison University, and the University of Central Florida.
Elizabeth Parker, AVID Site Coordinator at Northeast, praised Wiggins for her commitment and ambition.
BigFuture is a free College Board platform designed to guide students through career exploration, college planning, and securing financial aid.
The scholarship program awards students who complete various planning steps, with monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships.
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No essays, test scores, or GPA requirements are necessary, and students from families earning less than $60,000 annually receive double the entries.
Since its launch in 2019, the BigFuture Scholarship program has awarded over $23 million to more than 24,000 students across the country.
Students in the classes of 2026 and 2027 can learn more and get started at www.bigfuture.org.
