Brewster High School Student Wins Full-Ride 4-Year College Scholarship

BREWSTER, NY — Franceska Drejaj has had a busy couple of weeks. The Brewster High School senior presented a policy paper to Governor Hochul, sang at the All State Music Festival in Rochester, and found out she won a four-year scholarship to Bowdoin College worth more than $300,000.

"It’s like I won the lottery!" she said.

Drejaj was one of 1,755 students chosen from a field of more than 17,900 applicants to receive a scholarship to a top college or university through QuestBridge’s National College Match Scholarship. A not-for-profit, QuestBridge connects the nation’s outstanding low-income students with leading colleges.

Despite her lottery analogy, luck had nothing to do with Drejaj’s good fortune. It was all about hard work.

"When I met Franceska I literally googled her! This kid has done more than most adults," said her counselor, Kate Hammond.

“We are so proud of Franceska,” said Carlos Rodriguez, the Vice Principal of Brewster High School. “She has worked hard and deserves this."

Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, is one of the top-ranked liberal arts colleges in the country. As the college said in its U.S. News & World Report listing, "Bowdoin is one of the nation's oldest, most prestigious liberal arts colleges, and it is also a 220-year-old idea: that if you give smart, generous, young people access to the best education on earth, they will use it to make good in the world. Bowdoin admits students of uncommon promise and extraordinary character; we don't create thoughtful, interesting, engaged citizens — we choose them. Admission to Bowdoin is highly competitive — this year, the College received more than 9,400 applications for roughly 500 spots in the Class of 2026. And, once they enroll, Bowdoin asks a lot of its approximately 2,000 students."

Bowdoin is unique in other ways. Admission is need-blind and test-optional, and its aid packages contain only scholarships and do not include a summer work expectation for students with family incomes of less than $75,000.

Academics, particularly the social sciences, first drew Drejaj to look at Bowdoin closely.

"I first chose to put Bowdoin on my list because of its impressive academic rigor," Drejaj told Patch. "I also liked the location of Brunswick, ME. I’ve always been a fan of Maine and loved the idea of living there someday. I suppose that day is sooner than I thought, thanks to my admission to Bowdoin!"

She found out about the decision while she was singing.

"I was at All States in Rochester and I got an email from QuestBridge," Drejaj said. "My parents had gone out to get food and I told them to turn around. We decided beforehand that we’d call my grandparents. It took a little time to get my grandparents on FaceTime because they are not very tech savvy–but I opened up the email and my mother started screaming and crying.

"This scholarship covers everything from room and board to travel. Bowdoin even gives us a Macbook and an Apple pencil. My dad was so happy about that. I am just so grateful to be part of the QuestBridge community."

Drejaj wants to pursue legal and government studies.

"My sixth grade social studies teacher, Mr. Nelligan first got me interested in the world. It was the 2016 elections–when other kids were watching Netflix, I was watching the news," she said.

She is already a thoughtful, engaged citizen. In high school, she has been on the Putnam County Youth Court. "It’s a court made up entirely of teenagers. If there is a first time offender, that kid appears in front of us, we act as judge. If the kid doesn’t get into trouble again, the records are sealed. That has introduced me to the legal system."

She is also part of the Governor’s Youth Council. "I represent the Hudson Valley. We get a topic to work on and present our findings to the governor. This fall, we were asked to look into youth mental health. We researched and discussed the subject and presented a policy proposal to the governor."

And she loves singing. "I made Area All State and then based on my scores, went to All State. I would like to join a singing group at Bowdoin."

The college's wide variety of extra-curricular activities excites her too. "When I toured the school, everyone seemed really happy. I think the school fits my personality. I am excited for the outdoor orientation at the beginning of school. I think I will go white water rafting. I love lobster, so I’m excited for that. I don’t ski, but I guess I’ll have to learn!"

Drejaj already has an eye to the future. "I want to be a politician. I want to change the world. Maybe it has to do with being an older sister–my little brother was born three years ago and I have a sister who overcame some developmental delays. So, I feel like I’ve seen a lot. I want to make the world a better place."