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In this photo: Gina Cha (left), Mai See Yang (center), and Emmylou Dowling. These three students have been named finalists for the Gates Millenium Scholarship.
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Gates Millennium Scholarship has announced its finalists
Sabrina Ziegler | 3/18/08 | News
full ride scholarship on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is up for grabs to three of Granite Hills’ young female over-achievers, whose high school years consisted of being dedicated students, leaders, and community caregivers.
Among 11,000 nation-wide contenders, only about 1,000 finalists have made the cut so far, including Granite seniors, Emmylou Dowling, Mai See Yang and Gina Cha. Finalists were announced for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, on March 10. Winners will be announced April 15.
“This is one of the biggest scholarships ever,” Cha said.
After months of filling out applications and gathering personal information, these young ladies are now waiting patiently to hear from the organization that might provide them the greatest sigh of financial relief for students of their kind, who plan to attend a costly University of California.
Finalists were chosen by judges, based on a comprehensive view of each student’s personal and academic backgrounds.
These students each went through a long process, beginning with being nominated. For each student, both, a nominator and reference for recommendation were required to submit their own applications. Then the students provided information regarding their academic and financial status, as well as a profile of their past commitments and community services. In addition, each applicant was required to answer 8 essay prompts. The application was about 18 pages long, and entailed about 5 to 6 conformational forms, according to Dowling.
“This was a scholarship that you can not just wait to do last minute,” said Cha.
The criteria for GMS eligibility includes that each student has a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least a 3.3, has demonstrated leadership skills through participation in community service and/or extracurricular activities, and meets the Pell Grant eligibility criteria.
Cha felt she was chosen for her leadership qualities.
“I think what makes me stand out from others is that I am a well rounded student. I take on leadership roles, I’ve been involved on campus, and participate in numerous community service projects,” said Cha.
Dowling thought about what reasons she might have been selected for.
“Hopefully it was all the leadership and community service I’ve been involved with,” said Dowling. In addition, “I felt I had a strong essay and it really drew out my personality,” she said.
Dowling is ranked second in terms of Grade Point Average within her class. She leads a background of involvement in numerous clubs on campus and in the community. Running for valedictorian this year, she said she has always been very ambitious.
“I’m a competitive person. When I do something I do it to the best of my ability,” said Dowling. Family support, she said, has been her greatest influence. Cindy Brown, who is her counselor, has also played a supportive role in Dowling‘s academics.
“She went to UCLA and that’s the school I want to go to,” Dowling said.
Cha, who describes herself as a “hard working young lady [and] dedicated to [her] studies,” said, “Being recognized for the accomplishments that I have made has truly let me understand that hard work does pay off.” She has great appreciation for her teacher Christine Amann who nominated her, and her counselor Raul Bermudez, who served as her reference for recommendation- as key people who helped to make her recognition possible.
“I most definitely believe that many students are qualified for this award,” said Cha. Her message to her fellow students is that it doesn’t take high SAT scores to achieve these types of scholarships, but rather “the whole package.”
“These awards are given to those who have heart in what they do, and if one continues to be determined and succeed through all obstacles, then eventually, it will all be acknowledged,” Cha said.
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