UVA Student From Laurel, Md. Named Rhodes Scholar
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Out of nearly 900 applicants, only 32 college students are awarded one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world, The Rhodes Scholarship.
This year, three of those winners have Maryland ties.
One is a Johns Hopkins student, a midshipman at the naval academy, and Aryn Frazier, who's in her fourth year at the University of Virginia. She is home for the holidays and invited WJZ to her family's home to share her the experience.
For 21-year-old Aryn Frazier, this Thanksgiving at home in Laurel from the University of Virginia. She just found out Saturday, that she is just one of 32 college students in he country to receive the Rhodes Scholarship.
"I think that I am very blessed," Frazier tells WJZ's Marcus Washington.
"But, I do know for me, because I did the things I enjoyed, I think that at the end of those deliberations, regardless if I had won or hadn't, I would've still been happy with the person I am and the person I am still becoming," said Frazier.
She's double majoring in African American and African Studies.
She joins two more Rhodes Scholars with Maryland ties. Naval Academy's 21-year-old midshipman 1st class lucy ford, currently majoring in ocean engineering, and Johns Hopkins Senior, Nicole Mihelson, a neuroscience major.
RELATED: 3 With Maryland Ties Named Rhodes Scholars
Becoming a Rhodes scholar is an honor few achieve. But for those who do, it's a sign of hard work paying off.
"And she's going to be seven hours away, yes I have checked to see how long the flight is," said Frazier's mother.
"When they called my name, it was mostly shock, and I think it's still sinking in," said Frazier.
Frazier prepared her application over the summer, and got her school's endorsement. She sings, plays guitar, and loves to write music.
After graduating this spring, all three ladies are scheduled to attend the University of Oxford in the fall. The scholarship pays for school fees, a stipend to cover expenses while at Oxford and transportation to and from England.
