
Cypress Ridge High School junior Allison Ramirez, second from left, won College Board’s BigFuture $40,000 scholarship. Ramirez was surprised with the scholarship during a celebration ceremony on Sept. 24. She was joined by, from left, Dr. Abe Lozano, Cypress Ridge principal; Edwin Ramirez, Allison’s father; and Dinora Ramirez, Allison’s mother.
Sept. 30, 2025—Cypress Ridge High School junior Allison Ramirez was surprised with the College Board BigFuture $40,000 scholarship on Sept. 24.
College Board’s BigFuture scholarships financially reward students who complete steps online in the college and career planning process. Ramirez completed at least one planning action on BigFuture, a free online platform that helps students personalize a plan for life after high school. Completing at least one step enters a student for a chance to win two $40,000 scholarships and hundreds of $500 scholarships, currently awarded monthly to high school juniors and seniors across the country.
“It was very shocking,” Ramirez said. “I honestly thought this was something that had a one in a million shot at winning, so when I did win, I didn’t know what to do but cry. All I could think was my mom and dad don’t have to worry anymore.”

Cypress Ridge High School junior Allison Ramirez was surprised with College Board’s BigFuture $40,000 scholarship on Sept. 24. Ramirez completed two planning actions on BigFuture, a free online platform that helps students personalize a plan for life after high school, which entered her to win the scholarship.
Ramirez’s parents, Edwin and Dinora Ramirez, were part of the surprise announcement and celebration, along with members of the Cypress Ridge wrestling team, cheerleaders, members of the Cypress Ridge staff and administration and College Board representatives.
“We are incredibly proud of Allison,” said Dr. Abe Lozano, Cypress Ridge principal. “She truly embodies the best of Cypress Ridge and all of Ram Nation. By receiving this scholarship, I hope our students will recognize the potential opportunities that exist in applying for scholarships. I encourage them to use Allison’s experience as inspiration to explore their own possibilities as they plan their own path forward.”
Ramirez learned about the BigFuture scholarship through her CFISD College Academy courses. College Academy provides the opportunity for CFISD students to graduate with not only their high school diploma but with their associate degree from Lone Star College—CyFair.

Ramirez’s parents, Edwin and Dinora, were part of the surprise scholarship announcement on Sept. 24. They were joined by members of the Cypress Ridge wrestling team, cheerleaders, members of the Cypress Ridge staff and administration and College Board representatives.
“Before College Academy, I didn’t know anything about BigFuture,” Ramirez said. “When I was exploring the website, I saw the steps you could take to win this scholarship. I knew my family needed this, so I read through the instructions and completed my FASFA form and listing three colleges that I’m interested in. I was then entered into the monthly drawings and here we are!”
Ramirez plans on using her scholarship to attend a four-year university to study chemistry or pre-law.
Visit the BigFuture website for more information.

Cypress Ridge High School junior Allison Ramirez, second from left, won College Board’s BigFuture $40,000 scholarship. Ramirez was surprised with the scholarship during a celebration ceremony on Sept. 24. She was joined by, from left, Dr. Abe Lozano, Cypress Ridge principal; Edwin Ramirez, Allison’s father; and Dinora Ramirez, Allison’s mother.
Sept. 30, 2025—Cypress Ridge High School junior Allison Ramirez was surprised with the College Board BigFuture $40,000 scholarship on Sept. 24.
College Board’s BigFuture scholarships financially reward students who complete steps online in the college and career planning process. Ramirez completed at least one planning action on BigFuture, a free online platform that helps students personalize a plan for life after high school. Completing at least one step enters a student for a chance to win two $40,000 scholarships and hundreds of $500 scholarships, currently awarded monthly to high school juniors and seniors across the country.
“It was very shocking,” Ramirez said. “I honestly thought this was something that had a one in a million shot at winning, so when I did win, I didn’t know what to do but cry. All I could think was my mom and dad don’t have to worry anymore.”

Cypress Ridge High School junior Allison Ramirez was surprised with College Board’s BigFuture $40,000 scholarship on Sept. 24. Ramirez completed two planning actions on BigFuture, a free online platform that helps students personalize a plan for life after high school, which entered her to win the scholarship.
Ramirez’s parents, Edwin and Dinora Ramirez, were part of the surprise announcement and celebration, along with members of the Cypress Ridge wrestling team, cheerleaders, members of the Cypress Ridge staff and administration and College Board representatives.
“We are incredibly proud of Allison,” said Dr. Abe Lozano, Cypress Ridge principal. “She truly embodies the best of Cypress Ridge and all of Ram Nation. By receiving this scholarship, I hope our students will recognize the potential opportunities that exist in applying for scholarships. I encourage them to use Allison’s experience as inspiration to explore their own possibilities as they plan their own path forward.”
Ramirez learned about the BigFuture scholarship through her CFISD College Academy courses. College Academy provides the opportunity for CFISD students to graduate with not only their high school diploma but with their associate degree from Lone Star College—CyFair.

Ramirez’s parents, Edwin and Dinora, were part of the surprise scholarship announcement on Sept. 24. They were joined by members of the Cypress Ridge wrestling team, cheerleaders, members of the Cypress Ridge staff and administration and College Board representatives.
“Before College Academy, I didn’t know anything about BigFuture,” Ramirez said. “When I was exploring the website, I saw the steps you could take to win this scholarship. I knew my family needed this, so I read through the instructions and completed my FASFA form and listing three colleges that I’m interested in. I was then entered into the monthly drawings and here we are!”
Ramirez plans on using her scholarship to attend a four-year university to study chemistry or pre-law.
Visit the BigFuture website for more information.
