ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Rochester Prep senior Alexa Pedraza took her college entrance goals and crushed them with ease—earning a full four-year scholarship from the QuestBridge National College Match program. "I try to do my best in whatever I do. If I try my best, then there was nothing el se that I could possibly do so if I reach that goal, then I’m good," she explains to News 8's Mikhaela Singleton. According to QuestBridge, more than 25,000 students applied this year for the scholarship that covers 100% of college costs for high-achieving high schoolers from low-income backgrounds. Only about one percent of applicants were chosen—including Alexa. "I was really excited. I was very grateful, but I was so nervous on the day of and then I was just relieved when I got accepted," Alexa describes. "I cried, I screamed, just very proud," says her mom, Sylvana DeWolf. Alexa had to display her academic achievements, extra curriculars, and determination to pursue her success through college—with plans to attend Wellesley to study neuroscience. Sylvana says they were initially stressed about college talks, but Alexa’s hard work to earn this outstanding opportunity is a sigh of relief. "There’s a lot of kids that are like my daughter and us. We don’t have the means or the funds to be able to afford these great colleges, but then you have the scholarship programs that are definitely just amazing and helpful for my daughter, especially," she says. "It means a lot to me. It also means that not only me, but my sisters can also go to college and have equal opportunities without any struggles," adds Alexa. Rochester Prep celebrating Alexa as a shining example of how hard work can lift you up from any place in life. "Take your time. It’s going to happen. You will end up where you need to go," Alexa says when asked about advice for her underclassmen. ...read more read less