Every year seniors are encouraged to apply to the Gates Millennium Scholarship, the largest minority scholarship program. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), has awarded good-through-graduation college scholarships to a cohort of 1,000 students. The Class of 2010 Gates Millennium Scholars represents 45 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This scholarship can be used to pursue degrees in any undergraduate major at the college of the recipients’ choice.

Patricia is very active in her high school and her community, these activities coupled with her excellent academic achievements helped her win the Gates Scholarship. She has been dedicated to her education since her freshman year in high school. Knowing that she wanted to be an example for her sisters and the other girls in the community, she persisted and pushed on when she felt overwhelmed. She knew that in the end, it would be worth it. Patricia now knows that it was all worth it, all the late nights studying after cheerleading practice, all the Saturday classes, all the AP classes and tests are now benefiting her in ways that she hoped for. With a full scholarship, through the Gates Scholarship, she will be attending Frankin and Marshall, a liberal arts school in Philadelphia. She is very proud of her accomplishments as is her family and her Upward Bound family. She aspires to become a lawyer and come back to her community to make the desperately needed changes in South Central Los Angeles that will benefit future generations. She will undoubtedly be one of the local leaders of the future. Look out for Patricia.