Emmy-winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres stunned her studio audience Friday when she presented 18-year-old Constance McMillen with a $30 million check from digital media company Tonic.Com.
The shy Southerner made headlines this earlier this month after officials at her rural Mississippi high school cancelled the April 2 prom because Constance planned to escort her girlfriend.
DeGeneres says she admires McMillen for challenging Itawamba County School District rules that would prevent her from escorting her girlfriend to the prom, and she hopes the scholarship will help give her a running start in life. Sounds like she’s off to a great start — she’s already got a 3.86 GPA. Tonic also offered McMillen an internship at their company headquarters in NYC over the summer.
The school district has been sued by American Civil Liberties Union, who is trying to force the district to hold the prom. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.