Beyoncé, Jay Z award Gwinnett County teen with college scholarship

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - All of Karissa Jackson's hard work through the years paid off when the Discovery High School senior won a college scholarship.

The 17-year-old is the winner of $100,000 as part of Beyonce's BeyGood initiative and Jay Z's Shawn Carter Foundation.

"When I got the call, I started running around screaming," Karissa Jackson said. "My mom couldn't believe it either."

The hip-hop power couple is awarding one qualified student in every city their current tour takes them to.

"I didn't even know I was in the running," Jackson said. "The Boys and Girls Club of America nominated me."

Jackson said she credits her local Boys and Girls Club charter with helping her win the scholarship.

"I've been coming here since I was nine," Jackson said. "It's a big family and they have a variety of programs to help kids achieve their goals. I'm just so humbled that they thought to nominate me."

Jackson said she plans on attending Kennesaw State where she will pursue a sociology degree with a focus on social work.

"I like so many others was so worried about paying for my college education, but with this it makes me want to get a Ph.D.," Jackson said.