Long Island high school student Samantha Garvey continues to capture people's hearts with her story of academic success amid her family's hardships. In a show that airs today Ellen DeGeneres presents Garvey with a $50,000 scholarship for the college of her choice. Watch this video—and, uh, you may get something in your eye:
She wants to buy her parents a home! Garvey and her family were kicked out of their home during the holidays when her teacher wanted to tell her she was a semi-finalist, Garvey and the family were in a homeless shelter. Her story prompted Suffolk County officials to find a home for them and Rep. Steve Israel invited her to the President's State of the Union on Monday. Garvey told DeGeneres that thinking about succeeding and concentrating on science has been a way she's dealt with adversity. And then the talk show host had a surprise:
Newsday's Verne Gay addsEllen: I know you want to continue your education. You want to go to either Yale or Brown University. Well, we wanted to help you with that. So our friends at AT&T heard about your story and because of their commitment to the “Aspire” program to education. They want to help you achieve your dreams. So they are going to give you a $50,000 scholarship to go to the school of your choice.
, "Samantha and family also got a $1,000 gift card to Whole Foods and $5,000 to J.C. Penney." Father Leo Garvey tears up in the video!
