The daughter of a fallen Wilmington firefighter was surprised Monday with a $25,000 Bridging the Dream Scholarship from Sallie Mae, one of seven recipients nationwide.
Saint Elizabeth High School senior Ardavia Lee was sitting in the audience at a ceremony at The Chase Center honoring other recipients when they called her name.
“It feels amazing, I can’t describe it,” said Lee who teared up as she learned she was the final recipient. Her friends and family were hidden in the audience.
Ardavia's mother, Lt. Ardythe Hope, died following the 2016 Canby Park rowhome fire that also took the lives of Capt. Chris Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes.
Recipients of the scholarship are students who excel in school despite facing great adversity in their lives.
Lee has completed over 100 hours of community service over the past 3 years while maintaining a 3.94 GPA and playing multiple sports. She hopes to attend Spelman College followed by law school.