"These are promising and motivated students who have demonstrated strong character, leadership, and a commitment to community service," Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund, said. "They are outstanding young people and the Daniels Fund is proud to partner with them as they fulfill their dreams of attending college."

Out of the 250 scholarships granted, most are from Colorado. This year, 42 students from New Mexico, 24 from Wyoming, and 16 from Utah also received the prize.

The Daniels Scholarship is named after Bill Daniels. The cable television magnate died in 2000 and left behind a mission of helping students go to college. For students who win the Daniels Scholarship, they must first seek out other grants and scholarships. Any bills left over will be picked up by the Daniels Fund for four years as long as the student maintains "satisfactory academic progress."

Before finding out she was a winner, Gabbie Atsepoyi, a senior at George Washington High School, said winning the scholarship would give her the motivation to do well in school.

"Knowing that I have to do well, not only just because my mom or my family, but because I got an opportunity that a lot of people didn't," Gabbie said.

About 40 of the Colorado winners found out at the 9NEWS studios in the middle of the 4 o'clock news. Needless to say, they were all excited.

"You know, I'm very happy because I won't be broke for college, well after college, and now I can really like apply my full potential. I'm just so happy and I can't wait to call my mom and tell her," Gabbie said.

The rest of the Daniels Scholarship winners will be notified starting on Saturday.

"I'm so happy," Gabbie said. "I have a loss for words and that doesn't happen too much."

(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)