Jordin Phipps, 8, was filmed by her mom last month reciting the daily motivation that she and her classmates say at Watson Technology Center.
Jordin Phipps, 8, posed with University of North Texas cheerleaders after the school assembly at which she was awarded a $10,000
There aren’t many third-graders putting together their college admissions packages, but one Garland girl did just that — without even realizing it.
Eight-year-old Jordin Phipps was surprised with a $10,000 scholarship and guaranteed admission to University of North Texas last week after a video of her reciting her educational mantra was shared with university officials.
Jordin’s mom filmed her last month reciting the daily motivation that she and her classmates at Watson Technology Center recite.
“I am smart. I am a leader. Failure is not an option for me. Success is only moments away. … I have the attitude of a North Texas Eagle,” Jordin said while sporting a UNT Eagles shirt in the video.
Jordin’s mom, Nichole Smith, a UNT alumna, shared the short video on the university’s Facebook page. The video has since been shared more than 90,000 times on multiple platforms.
“They contacted me on Wednesday and said they wanted to present her with a scholarship,” Smith, a special education teacher, told ABC News.
UNT officials surprised Jordin at a school assembly. Rebecca Lothringer, UNT’s director of admissions, told Jordin that she had won the Presidential Excellence Scholarship for Leadership, a $10,000 prize normally awarded to high school seniors or transfer students.
The 8-year-old is also guaranteed a spot in UNT’s Class of 2030.
“Her enthusiasm was felt far across our campus,” Lothringer told ABC News. “Our president was the one who reached out and said, ‘I want to do something for Jordin and her family.’ ”
She is the youngest student to be accepted to the university, according to Lothringer.
Smith told ABC News that Jordin is actually quite shy and that she hopes the attention from the university will inspire her daughter.
“I think that was a way for God to open a door and show her that she can do anything,” Smith said.
Jordin wants to be a teacher, just like her mom, and when she graduates high school in 2026, the scholarship at UNT will be waiting for her.
Jordin Phipps, 8, was surrounded by her family and UNT cheerleaders at her Garland school, the Watson Technology Center for Math & Science, after she learned she was accepted to the university.
Source: dallasnews
