Homeless L.I. Teen And Family Move In To New Bay Shore Home
BAY SHORE, NY (CBSNewYork) – A homeless Long Island high school student whose story made headline news after she became a semi-finalist in a prestigious national science contest isn't homeless any longer.
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports
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Samantha Garvey and her family were given the keys to their new Bay Shore home by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Saturday afternoon as part of the county's affordable rental properties for homeless families.
The teen was nearly speechless as she looked at her family's new, three bedroom house.
"Everything that has happened in the past few weeks has been unbelievable and amazing," she said.
The county gave the home to the Garvey family after the teen's story gained local and national attention when she was named a semi-finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search and it was revealed she and her family were living in a homeless shelter.
The Brentwood High School senior found out on Wednesday that she didn't make the cut to become a finalist in the Intel competition, with a top prize of a $100,000 college scholarship, but said she's still a winner.
"I am so overwhelmed," Garvey said Saturday. "A good overwhelmed by all the support."
Besides getting a new home, the teen was presented with a $50,000 scholarship from AT&T to the college of her choice when she appeared on the "Ellen" talk show earlier this month.
Then on Tuesday night, Garvey was Long Island Rep. Steve Israel's guest at President Obama's third State of the Union address and told 1010 WINS she was exhilarated from her trip to Washington.
"Seeing what was going on, from behind the scenes and having that insider look, " Garvey said Wednesday. "Everything, all the prominent figures I met yesterday, it was just amazing."
Even more good news, Garvey's dog is joining them at their new home. The pooch was going to be euthanized in the pound until a good Samaritan came forward to kennel and vaccinate the dog until they were ready to move in.
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