The 13 students have been named 2015 Gates Millennium Scholars. The high school seniors – from Berkmar High, Dacula High, Duluth High, Grayson High, Meadowcreek High, Mountain View High, Shiloh High, and South Gwinnett High– join a group of 1,000 students from across the nation to receive the honor this year.The honorees from Gwinnett are:
| Gates Scholar | College/University | High School |
| Kadijatu Sowe | University of Georgia | Berkmar HS |
| Chelsey Omoerah | University of Georgia | Dacula HS |
| Sarah Sanneh | Princeton University | Duluth HS |
| Shi Jie (John) Li | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Duluth HS |
| Lilah Evans | Harvard University | Grayson HS |
| Ifedinma (Sarah) Nwankwo | University of Georgia | Meadowcreek HS |
| Bianca Perez | Emory University | Meadowcreek HS |
| Elena Granados-Barron | Emory University | Meadowcreek HS |
| Adrielle Kwapong | Georgia State University | Mountain View HS |
| Biajani McEwen-Lopez | University of Southern California | Shiloh HS |
| Olivia Casimir | undecided | South Gwinnett HS |
| Kawther Berhanu | undecided | South Gwinnett HS |
| Caleb Afunyah | undecided | South Gwinnett HS |
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 families’ 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 year’s Gates Millennium Scholars on Friday, May 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grayson Room at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center located in Suwanee.
For more information about the Gates Millennium Program, visit www.gmsp.org or contact 703-205- 2041.
