Ridgefielder Awarded Six-Figure Scholarship on Live TV

NEW YORK, NY — A local college student was given a $100,000 scholarship on Tuesday's broadcast of The Today show. Actor and funnyman Will Ferrell presented Samantha Watts of Ridgefield with the scholarship to Ithaca College in New York alongside host Hoda Kotb.

Watts, who studies speech pathology and education studies, was in need of the scholarship after her father underwent a series of treatments for esophageal cancer.

"We're kind of dependent on scholarships and loans, so it would be life-changing for me," Watts said.

Watts was originally introduced on the broadcast as one of the finalists for the scholarship. Kotb later told Watts she was the recipient of the scholarship, bringing the Ridgefielder to tears. Ferrell, promoting his new film "The House," later appeared and handed Watts an extra-large check.

"You can't actually cash this," Ferrell jokingly said in his signature style."They will give you a real check."

You can watch the full clip on The Today Show website.

Image: Evan Agostini/ Invision/ Associated Press