MCFARLAND, CA - McFarland High School AP Pre-calculus teacher Mr. T began his lecture just like any other day Thursday.
Only this time, cameras were there.
"I see a bunch of people outside and I'm like oh they're probably observing Mr. T or something," said student Diana Valenzuela.
But, the cameras were there for Valenzuela. During the lecture, representatives from Edison International called her up to the front of the classroom and presented her with a $40,000 grant.
Valenzuela's tears of joy stem from her humble background.
"I'm looking into USC, and I know it's more expensive. My parents have to pay for some of it. I was just thinking, how are we going to do it? We're a low-income family," said Valenzuela.
Diana's family works in agriculture. Her father, Gustavo Valenzuela, received the call about the grant and had to keep the secret for a week.
Her father says it was hard to keep the secret because he would see his daughter stressed out about paying for college.
Diana says her parents supported her choice of schools despite the cost.
McFarland High School officials say Diana's story serves as an inspiration to the community.
"It will also send out a message to all the students that it is possible. A lot of the times we dream and dream. I want the student's dreams to be fulfilled, to be realized," said Raul Maldonado, Superintendent of the McFarland Unified School District.
Diana wants to major in engineering. Her older sister is a third year student at UCLA. Diana has been accepted and plans to attend USC.