Forty-two high school seniors from South Florida have struck gold, netting an impressive $40,000 scholarship each for their college education thanks to Amazon's Future Engineer program. The recipients were in for a big surprise when what they thought was a regular event turned into a life-changing moment. Among the stars are Christopher Raphael and Ervin Cruz, seniors from Broward County, who were already eyeing their futures in computer science with acceptance letters from Ivy League schools in hand.

"You guys are the proud recipients of $40,000 that are gonna go towards your college education," announced an Amazon representative at a staged event, duping the students into thinking they were merely finalists in the competition. According to a WSVN report, both Raphael and Cruz have been dedicated to their academics, community service and now, with Amazon's helped, destined for careers in tech.

The scholarship news came as a shock, not only to the students but also to their families, who were overwhelmed by the gesture. "When I first opened the box, I thought maybe it was a mistake that they gave this box to me," Cruz recounted about the moment he realized he'd won. Meanwhile, Christopher's mother, Fernande Raphael, shared her excitement and pride with WSVN.

The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is more than just a cash award; it's an opportunity that sets these students on track for a paid internship with the tech giant, and potentially a job after its completion. Expressing his aspirations, Raphael told the WSVN, "My hope is to hopefully work for Amazon after the internship."

The news had an even bigger reach, as more than 40 high school seniors received word of their selection in the Amazon program, creating a ripple of hope across the community colleges and future workplaces. "More than 40 local high school seniors were surprised with the news Thursday that they've been selected as Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients," a statement by the 7NewsDC.

More than 40 local high school seniors were surprised with the news Thursday that they've been selected as Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients. https://t.co/K9ZFkQWmlK

— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) April 12, 2024