FRESNO, CA – Three students from Fresno Unified School District have earned one of the nation’s most prestigious academic honors after being chosen as recipients of The Gates Scholarship, a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship awarded to exceptional student leaders from across the country.
Juan Morales Lopez of Sunnyside High School, Eliana Palomera of McLane High School and Bryan Cabrera Garcia of Duncan Polytechnical High School were chosen for the award,
which supports outstanding students with significant financial needs by covering the full cost of attendance not already funded by other financial aid.
This year, only 750 students nationwide were selected from more than 61,000 applicants.
Lopez, a member of the UCSF Doctors Academy at Sunnyside High School and one of the school’s valedictorians, will attend UC Davis this fall. His scholarship will cover tuition, fees,
books, housing and meals throughout his undergraduate studies.
Palomera, a McLane High School senior, plans to attend UCLA this fall to pursue a career in neuroscience. She spent months completing the rigorous application process, which included
documenting her vast volunteer experience, writing four essays and participating in extensive interviews.
Garcia is one of Duncan’s valedictorians who is also part of its Heavy Truck pathway. He plans to attend UC San Diego in the fall and major in biology to become a certified registered nurse
anesthetist.“Being selected for The Gates Scholarship is an extraordinary accomplishment that speaks to our students’ hard work, leadership and perseverance. This recognition is more than an academic achievement, it’s a life-changing opportunity that opens doors, lifts financial burdens and directly aligns with our goal of college and career readiness.” – Superintendent Misty Her
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
