Oak Grove Senior accepted to Harvard earns Taco Bell scholarship

LAMAR COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - As graduations continue across the Pine Belt, we've been highlighting the academic achievements and success of students going above and beyond. Today's good news is two in one. An Oak Grove senior heads to Harvard University with an unexpected tie to Taco Bell.

When thinking of Taco Bell, maybe a crunchy taco, chalupa supreme, or the Baja blast beverage comes to mind. Noah Harris, who is on the hunt for money to head to Harvard, got more than a bite for his buck from the chain, but funds for his future.

"It came in the mail, and my parents sent it to the school for awards night. They surprised me," Harris said.

Harris is awarded the $25,000 dollar "Live Mas" scholarship from Taco Bell. This is a national honor only given to 16 students in the entire country. The scholarship comes in smaller amounts. Noah received the highest amount of assistance possible.

"They presented me with this check right here!" He said it came with confetti and all," Harris said.

"We looked up every big business we could think of. Do they have a scholarship? Do I qualify for it?"

He did qualify. He submitted a video to express his passion and why the company should invest in him. The scholarship is extra "sauce" on top of an already huge opportunity. Harris said juggling academics and sports was tough.

"A lot of people get to play their sport and have that offseason, but I go from basketball right into baseball.  It's a lot of long nights and studying," Harris said.

It was all worth the acceptance letter of a lifetime and the support from an unexpected source.

"Never let anyone tell you that you can't do it all. If you want to, you can. If you're passionate about a lot of things, you can do them all," Harris said.

Harris said he wants to be a voice for people going through hard times. He will major in Political Science and plans to study law.

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