Ward Melville's Elaina Frantellizzi gets $120G scholarship surprise
Franco Frantellizzi feels like he won the tuition lottery -- twice.
The Stony Brook resident shipped his son Peter off to school four years ago, and he graduates this year from Binghamton University.
“It’s a great school, and compared to most other choices, it’s relatively cheap,” Frantellizzi said of the State University of New York school.
What’s better than cheap? How about free?
His daughter, Elaina, got a big surprise when she showed up at Ward Melville High School on Friday morning. She was presented with the Queens University of Charlotte’s Presidential Scholarship, the school’s highest scholarship honor. The Ward Melville senior will receive a full tuition to the North Carolina school, worth about $120,000.
Of the 330 students from across the country who submitted scholarship applications, only seven were chosen, and they were given the good news Friday.
Elaina heads to Charlotte this fall, prepared for her first step toward a nursing career.
“It’s kind of perfect, I couldn’t be happier about this,” Elaina said. “I don’t know many people who know what to do at this age, but I’ve known for a while.”
Elaina had applied to schools that both offered a nursing program and granted her a chance to play softball, which she did at Ward Melville.
Before Friday she had been weighing her options, including the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and New York University.
She also eyed Queens, but a sports scholarship didn’t come through. After learning of the award, Elaina said now she will get a chance to play on the team anyway.
As for Frank, two kids will only cost him one state school tuition.
“I’m overjoyed,” he said.
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