ORLANDO, Fla. – Two students who relocated to Central Florida from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island received scholarships to local colleges.
The event was held at Colonial High School Thursday morning.
Representatives from Valencia College and the University of Central Florida presented the scholarships to two seniors at the school.
Zuleyka Avela, 17, attended University Gardens High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico before she and her siblings moved to her grandfather's home in Central Florida. She plans to one day become a pediatrician.
Yerianne Rolan, 17, attended the Department of Defense Unified School District in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico before she and her family relocated to the area. She plans to study either graphic design or advertising and management.
Both girls, who've kept their grades up and became involved in extracurricular activities despite having to relocate, were chosen by school officials to receive part of their education for free.
They will attend Valencia College for two years then finish their bachelor's degrees at UCF.