MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Many high schoolers are heading to college, and one Richwood High School valedictorian is lucky enough to have many to choose from.
Cur’Dericka Rice received close to one million dollars in scholarships. She said they are from 13 different universities.
Rice received scholarships from schools like Louisiana State University, Loyola University in New Orleans, and the University of Louisiana Monroe.
She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and scored a 33 on the ACT.
Rice is attending Louisiana Tech University in the fall semester of 2024, and she plans to major in chemical engineering where she says her goal is to lessen the impacts of pollution.
She encourages others to never give up on their goals.
“Even if you don’t think it’s possible you should still like strive to excel and go beyond whatever the goal may be, because you never know what you can do. If you doubt yourself and count yourself out you won’t even be able to live up to that potential because you didn’t even try,” said Rice.
Although Rice is not receiving a full ride to Louisiana Tech, she said it lifts a burden off of her family.
She credits her teachers and parents for their guidance through her academic journey, but also says hard work pays off.
“Walking into college, goals that I have are just to keep my head on straight and continue to make the people around me proud. But, as far as academics, I’m just up for the challenge because I’m ready to be challenged, and do the best that I can,” Rice said.
Rice said she is looking forward to conquering the many challenges Louisiana Tech has in store.
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