A group of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) seniors recently learned their hard work during their K-12 academic career has earned them the opportunity to go to college for free. The 18 students have been named 2016 Gates Millennium Scholars. Joining a group of 1,000 students from across the nation to receive the honor this year, GCPS honorees– from Berkmar High; Central Gwinnett High; Dacula High; Discovery High; Duluth High; Grayson High; Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST); Lanier High; Meadowcreek High; Parkview High; Peachtree Ridge High; and South Gwinnett High–are:
| Gates Millennium Scholar | College/University | High School |
| Aminata Fofana | Georgia State University | Berkmar High |
| Christiana Beavers | University of Georgia | Berkmar High |
| Jasmin Moffett | Kennesaw State University | Central Gwinnett High |
| Deborah Salami | University of Illinois at Chicago | Central Gwinnett High |
| Hai Huynh | Pratt Institute | Central Gwinnett High |
| Deborah (Chiamaka) Ijebuonwu | Cornell University | Dacula High |
| Tina Nguyen | Georgia State University | Discovery High |
| Ileri Jaiyeoba | New York University | Duluth High |
| Jeong (Joanne) Lee | The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania |
Duluth High |
| Israh Farhoud | University of Georgia | Grayson High |
| Hannan Yahya | University of California, Los Angeles |
Grayson High |
| Ji Young Chang | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | GSMST |
| Basent Saleh | University of Miami | Lanier High |
| Tauheed Islam | Harvard University | Meadowcreek High |
| Javier Soriano | University of Georgia | Meadowcreek High |
| Parker Latimore | Florida State University | Parkview High |
| Hayat Geresu | Emory University | Peachtree Ridge High |
| ReÂ’Nyqua Farrington | Nova Southeastern University | South Gwinnett High |
In addition to the full scholarship for undergraduate work, the Gates Millennium Scholars also qualify for funding to cover graduate and doctoral work in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. The program, funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, promotes academic excellence for outstanding minority low-income students.
In order to earn the scholarship, the seniors participated in a lengthy and competitive application process. Honorees were selected based on a review of their academic record, community involvement and extracurricular activities, and their familiesÂ’ need for financial assistance. The program recognizes high-achieving African American, American Indian/Alaska Native (must provide proof of tribal enrollment), Asian/Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program was established in 1999 by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In order to reach and support its constituents, the organization has partnered with the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the United Negro College Fund.
GCPS will hold a reception honoring this yearÂ’s Gates Millennium Scholars on Friday, May 20, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Grayson Room at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center located in Suwanee. This yearÂ’s class of Gates Millennium Scholars includes the most ever from Gwinnett.
