Scholarship program discussed in Warden

Students receive application tips

WARDEN - Warden youth learned about a full-ride scholarship program from a special guest Thursday.

Mary Williams, director of communications and administration for the Gates Millennium Scholars program, came to visit Warden from Fairfax, Va.

Williams and Warden School District Superintendent Sandra Sheldon traveled to Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Idaho to meet scholarship recipients and Warden graduates.

They enjoyed dinner with Gates scholars Wednesday evening.

"One student stated, 'this scholarship allowed me to achieve my dreams to be who I thought I could be,'" Williams said.

After visiting the universities, Williams met with high school and middle school students in Warden to discuss the program.

The Gates Millennium Scholars program offers low-income, minority students a full-ride scholarship for the first five years of college, Williams said. Students can attend any higher institution with the money.

Six students from Warden received scholarships since the program started in 1999, Williams said.

"I think Warden has been very committed to encouraging students to apply for the Gates scholarships and other scholarships," Williams said.

The program funded the education of more than 12,000 students, providing $438 million in scholarships, she said. Even students with GEDs can apply for the program, she said.

Williams said the purpose of her visit was to help students understand eligibility requirements and help them identify leadership and community service skills.

"Many times students … don't realize how much they've done because it's just a part of them," Williams said. "Our students all across the country are very talented."

The Gates Millennium Scholars program is administered by the United Negro College Fund, Williams noted.

It is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

During her visit with high school students, Williams told students the application is big. But she advised them not to dwell on the pages, but rather to see the application as their future.

She said students must build relationships with educators, as they serve as both nominators and recommendations.

She advised students to brag about their accomplishments on their applications. Students were dressed in blue and white in celebration of homecoming. Williams compared filling out the application to cheering at a football game.

"You want to brag. You want to be loud," she said.

Sheldon said she enjoyed meeting with the Millennium Scholars at the universities.

One recipient said, "It's not about the money, but it's what it's allowed me to do," Sheldon said.

Sheldon said the visit from Williams is an honor.

"It shows that we're doing the right things in Warden," she said.

Expectations are high, but the support is there too, she said.

Anita DeLeon, academic coordinator for Big Bend Community College's College Bound program, said three College Bound participants last year became Gates Millennium Scholars. Only 1,000 people are selected nationally each year.

The students lived in Warden, Moses Lake, and Coulee Dam.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship online is 11:59 p.m., eastern time on Jan. 12, 2009. Mailed applications must be postmarked by the same date.

For more information, visit www.gmsp.org