WORCESTER, Mass. - In an effort to vaccinate more young people, the City of Worcester offered students a chance to win a college scholarship if vaccinated at clinics in the city.

On Wednesday, those students were honored.

Kids between the ages of 5 to 17 were able to enter in for a chance to win a $3,000 scholarship to be used for higher education or training in colleges or trade schools.

One winner was chosen from the February vacation week vaccine clinics, and three more were chosen from Worcester Public Schools clinics in March and April.

Dr. Mattie Castiel asked the winners to say why they received the vaccine.

"It’s corona and I don't want to get corona” one student said.

"I wanted to keep my family and friends safe. And so I could go back to school” another said.

"Quarantine made me feel special ways, good and bad. I was sitting on the couch one day bored, looking up at the ceilings, wondering if I’d do anything good in my life. And I was like, 'Yeah I’ll get the vaccine. Keep my family safe and visit my mom this summer who I haven't seen,'” said another.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, United Way of Central MA, Bay State Savings Bank, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation provided the scholarships.