Through a raffle contest, senior Rodney Allen won a $2,000 scholarship to Texas Southern University (TSU) on April 8, in the PAC.

“I’m thrilled for Rodney and would encourage him to continue seeking scholarships and applying for them,” AVID Teacher Katrina Mabry-Smith said. “Each and every award is a blessing.”

Allen said he didn’t expect to win.

“When they announced my name as the winner of the raffle, I was shocked and surprised,” he said. “Most of the time I was thinking that it was for enjoyment, but it’s important to realize that it was acceptance of a scholarship.”

Mabry-Smith said Rodney should consider all his options.

“He should definitely look into it because they may give him additional financial support to attend,” she said.

Allen said it was difficult to tell his parents.

“It was hard to tell my parents because I was still in shock, but I sat them down and told them that I won a scholarship, “ he said. “My parents were in tears and told me that they were proud of me.”

Senior Chanel Taylor-Ricks said she would’ve loved the opportunity.

“I wouldn’t have to really worry about anything, but I’m glad that Rodney was the one to get the scholarship,” she said.

Allen said he didn’t have any intentions of attending TSU before the raffle.

“That school hasn’t even crossed my mind; I was considering ETBU, SFA and Southern University in Baton Rouge,” he said.

Allen will now be attending TSU in the fall.

“They offered me a scholarship so, of course, I’m going to go,” he said.

Taylor-Ricks said she’s excited for her friend.

“He gets to go to a great school that he likes without paying for his tuition,” she said.” “He will remember this day forever.”

Allen said this experience has opened his eyes to more possibilities.

He said, “I was blessed with this opportunity because I (had) been waiting for other colleges to give me an update, but now I know there’s a new beginning for me.”