Seniors Jose Beleche and Janella Bermudez were selected as Gate Millennium Scholars for 2011. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, created by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, funds and provides 1,000 scholarships each year.
“I was excited, and the first thing I thought was how I don’t have to worry about paying for anything anymore,” Bermudez said.
They will receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to any college or university of their choosing. To qualify for the scholarship they filled out an application with many essay questions. The application were judged on a three point basis of academic achievement, community service and leadership potential.
“It was one of the longest applications I have done. A lot of short answer questions about hardship and what I contribute to the community and that type of thing,” Beleche said.
With their costs taken care of Beleche will be attending Whitman College and Bermudez will be attending Gonzaga University.
