Ava Selway, a junior at Hoover High, recently won a $4,000 summer scholarship offered by the American Society of the French Academic Palms.

Selway, who has been studying French for three years, wrote an essay entirely in French that earned her one of the three scholarships being offered. She wrote about how important language and culture is in her life since she grew up in a bilingual household.

Selway was selected among other high schoolers around the world who are in an advanced French class like her.

This summer, Selway will be traveling to Montpellier, France, for four weeks to study French and learn more about its culture. Luckily for her, she has traveled to other places outside the country such as Spain, Ukraine, and some other small places in Europe.

Said Selway: “I’m going by myself (…) my parents will take me there obviously but I am going to be staying with a host family by myself.”

Selway found out she earned the scholarship, ironically at Hoover High School in her French class. It was such a surprise for her to receive the good news since a month had gone by since she applied.

She said she’s looking forward to visiting the beaches in France and unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.