A Preston High School senior has been awarded a free ride to college.

Senior Erika Livica was surrounded by teachers, alumni, her sister and a fellow student to rejoice in the good news on Wednesday.

The Preston Panther received a full-tuition scholarship to the College of Mount St. Vincent.

"I'm very proud of myself. I'm happy because this is my way of giving back to my family and all of the things that they sacrificed for me and this is going to be my legacy,” said Livica.

Livica became the fifth student in the school’s history to be awarded the Corazon C. Aquino Scholarship.

It is only given to four students a year of Filipino descent who excel academically.

The assistant director of admissions said the scholarship winners typically become very involved with Filipino culture on campus.

The scholarship is named after the first female president of the Philippines, who graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent.