A student from Newark’s East Side High School is making New Jersey proud.

Senior Claudia Ferreria has been awarded a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. It was her top choice as she began the college application process.

Ferreria, who discovered her passion for biology as a student at Hawkins Street School, plans to major in biology as she works toward her goal of becoming a forensic pathologist.

The scholarship is being provided by a nonprofit that provides higher education opportunities to high-achieving students from low-income families.