Four Eagle Pass Students Named Gates Millennium Scholars in 2015

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass Independent School District (EPISD) Board of Trustees recognized four Eagle Pass Independent School District graduating seniors for being named as 2015 Gates Millennium Scholars by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at their regular board meeting held on May 12, 2015.

EPISD Board Vice-President Glenna Purcell announced that the four local students named as 2015 Gates Millennium Scholars include C. C. Winn High School seniors Sofia A. Casas and Ariana Ruiz and Eagle Pass High School seniors Arian R. Garcia and Celinda Vallejo-Rodriguez.

These four students join the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholars program founded by global entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda Gates. Gates Millennium Scholars are awarded a scholarship for full tuition up to ten (10) years of college studies leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in five areas of study.

Sofia A. Casas is the daughter of Sergio and Maria A. Casas and plans to attend Pace University in Westchester, New York and study Political Science while Ariana Ruiz is the daughter of Rolando and Claudia Ruiz and plans to attend Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi and study Kinesiology.

Both Arian Garcia and Celinda Vallejo plan to attend the University of Texas at Austin.

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program is an academic scholarship award and program available to high-achieving American students for higher education. Established in 1999 and funded by Microsoft founder Bill Gates through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Millennium Scholarship is considered one of the nation’s most prestigious awards. Gates Millennium Scholars are provided with a full financial scholarship to attend any U.S. college or university of their choice, and are provided with leadership development opportunities, mentoring, as well as academic, financial and social support.

The first Eagle Pass Independent School District student to receive the Gates Millennium Scholarship was Eagle Pass High School Class of 2007 Honor Graduate Alexa C. Calderon, whom opened the door for future local students to earn the prestigious scholarship.

The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates these four local honors students on being named Gates Millennium Scholars and wishes them success in their academic studies and careers.