The Get MotivatED Challenge was taken on by 25 schools in 11 cities to improve attendance rates and also used pop culture, techonolgy and media to ensure the students were engaged throughout the process. At the end, Chicago’s Collins Academy High School came out on top and with a slew of prizes in the process. Arguably the biggest of them all, however, was having Nicki Minaj spend the day.

Aside from merely showing up, the platinum rapper presented three students with three $10,000 college scholarships (avoid student loans if you can; just a FYI) from Comcast. She also helped teach a freshman English class and joined Sway for an assembly that featured the entire school as they all partied and celebrated Collins’ victory.

Nicki Minaj said, “I am a young, female mogul before I am an artist. As a business woman there isn’t a single day where I don’t use my education or acquire new knowledge to ensure my success. Regardless of where you are today, with education you can take yourself where you want to be. That’s why I am working with the Get Schooled Foundation. They are finding innovative and exciting ways to bring that message to schools like the Collins Academy.”

Seeing as how frequent gaps in attendance in school is near the top of the list for reasons why students eventually drop out, a program like this is a good look. It won’t completely eradicate the issue, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and an education is the one gift that can never be taken away once it’s received. Check out more pics from Nicki’s visit after the jump.

Learn more about the Get MotivatED Challenge by clicking here.