Local students earn full-ride Gates Millennium college scholarships

From left to right, MPS seniors Kali Huettl,
Mayra Alaniz and Jessica Curry

A total of 10 Wisconsin students - including six from Milwaukee - have earned scholarships covering all the costs of attending the colleges of their choice as part of a competitive program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Only 1,000 students nationwide win Gates Millennium Scholarships, aimed primarily at high-achieving students who are racial minorities from economically challenged backgrounds. The rigorous application process comes with an impressive payout for the winners: the scholarships cover 100% of the students' unmet need (including room, board and tuition) to the college of their choice, including graduate school, if they wish to pursue it.

Milwaukee Public Schools recognized its three Gates Millennium scholars on Monday at South Division High School. South Division senior Mayra Alaniz will be using the scholarship to attend Georgetown University. Jessica Curry, a senior at Riverside High School, will attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. And Kali Huettl, also a senior from Riverside, will attend Clark Atlanta University.

Veritas High School, a public charter high school in Milwaukee, had two students win Gates scholarships: Cha Lee and Xiong Her. The boys were rescued from refugee camps in Thailand and enrolled in elementary school in Milwaukee knowing no English.

A Thomas More High School student also won a Gates scholarship: Karina Salazar-Reyes, a senior who is headed to St. John's University in New York. Her school counselor said Salazar-Reyes was likely selected because of her outstanding academics, community service and leadership, and involvement in Latin dance.

Other Wisconsin students who won Gates scholarships include: Jesus Del Toro from East High School in Kenosha, Chou Lee from North High School in Eau Claire, John Hermes from Avalon School in Hayward, and Victoria Gokee-Rindal from Bayfield High School in Bayfield.