Halloween brought a special “treat” to one student at HISD’s North Houston Early College High School. The Nordstrom Prize surprised senior Evelle Young on Oct. 31 with a scholarship check for $10,000 in front of dozens of family members and cheering classmates. Young, who also accepted a MacBook Air laptop from Nordstrom representatives, was one of only 80 students from across the country to be selected as a prize recipient this year through the retailer’s TEN4U program.

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Young, who was chosen on the basis of her academic performance, community service, and other criteria, said she was stunned to see her mother, father, sister, brother, 88-year-old great-grandmother, two grandmothers, grandfather, uncle, and three aunts at the event.

“When I saw my family, I didn’t know what to think,” said Young, “I was speechless. I never expected to win this scholarship.” Young noted that she has applied for close to 30 others, but this is the first one she has actually received.

“I am so happy Evelle won,” added NEHCHS Instructional Specialist Aleicia Roberts, “but I told her to keep on applying, because you can’t have too many scholarships.”

Young, who will graduate in the spring of 2014 with an associate’s degree as well as her diploma, serves as the president of her school’s National Honor Society and vice president of her senior class. She hopes to attend Texas Tech next fall.

To apply for this scholarship next year, visit the Nordstrom scholarship website in February.