Lauren Pryor was reportedly ready to leave Hampton University due to financial troubles when she received a $25,000 scholarship from rapper Wale, The Grio reported.
The D.C. native rapper held a call-in contest through a Norfolk, Va. radio station, 103 Jamz, on June 18. A month later, the Hampton University News blog reported there had been a winner.
Pryor, a sophomore psychology major, said she called the station several times but could not get through to the station. She told the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal she was ready to hang up on her final attempt to call the station.
"I was on my way to a friend's home in Hampton when I heard the radio challenge that the 25th caller would win the prize. The station said to call between 4 and 5 p.m. I called four or five times, the line was always busy," said Pryor. "On about the 14th call I told myself to give it a rest. I was taking the phone from my face and had my thumb on the end button when I heard a man say 'hello.' I didn't believe it. He told me there were millions of calls and he only picked up the phone 14 times nationwide."
Wale flew Pryor to New York to attend his "The Gifted" album release party at the Best Buy Theater to receive her scholarship. During her two-day stay in the city, she received VIP treatment wherever she went. She also did various interviews, including BET's "106 and Park."
"Winning this scholarship was truly a blessing," said Pryor. "Almost not returning to Hampton University in the fall because of expenses, I was exceedingly fortunate to receive this scholarship. It was truly a test of faith."
Wale's third studio album, "The Gifted," debuted at the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart and is the second under Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group record label.
