While many high school and college graduates are worried about debt and student loans, senior Alex Deghand may be able to avoid some of those stresses.

It all started when Deghand applied to Wichita State University and received a letter from the college explaining that she qualified for a scholarship competition through her academics and as a result of her interest in engineering.

In the competition, which occurred in November, Deghand had to build a tower with a group of people, write a short essay, fill out an application form online, listen to some presentations and get evaluated.

In December, the college notified Deghand that she won the scholarship, which was $20,000 over four years.

Deghand was selected out of a multitude of applicants to be the winner of the scholarship; she does not know the primary reason she was selected, however.

Deghand, a self-proclaimed “math and science nerd” had originally decided to apply to WSU because of the biomedical engineering program as well as its proximity to home; the scholarship competition was just the icing on the cake.

“It’s [WSU] close, but it is still far away,” Deghand said.

Deghand wishes to be an engineer because of her interest in math and science which is shown in her school schedule as she has taken AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology and AP chemistry, and wishes that DHS offered another Calculus class for her to take.

Deghand also wants to be an engineer because she wants to improve people’s lives through her work.

“I want to help people …” Deghand said. “By being a biomedical engineer, I will end up making medical devices to help better people’s health and lives.”