Hazelwood West Senior Princeton University Bound

Last fall, at the start of her senior year in high school, Brittney Watkins said she applied to 13 colleges.

There was Yale, Harvard, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University and Georgetown University.

Oh, and Watkins also applied to Princeton University,

A few weeks ago, she accepted a full scholarship to Princeton, which she admitted was her top choice. She intends to major in politics and work toward certification in Latin American studies, according to a statement. 

“I want to be a lawyer, and then become a senator,”  she said. "The scholarship means a lot."

Watkins, who graduated on Saturday attended , and was:

• senior class vice president
• a member of National Honor Society
• a member of Tri M
• the Soprano II Choir section leader
• involved in her church
• a member of Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America

She was selected as one of 48 “outstanding” students in St. Louis City and County to serve on the (CYC), led by U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay. The cabinet advises Clay and his staff on key national and local issues that impact young people.

“One of the reasons I applied is because of their large endowment," Watkins said. "They want to make sure students can attend, no matter their socio-economic background.”

Watkins said her family is very excited about her scholarship.

“It takes away worry about how to pay for my education because everything is covered,” she said.

Besides Princeton, Pennsylvania, Georgetown, Richmond University, Northwestern University and American University all made Watkins scholarship offers totaling $554,547.