Whiz Kid of the Week: Melia Asucan Named a 2011 Bill Gates Millennium Scholar Finalist

A first ever from Pasadena High School, senior Melia Asucan has reached the finals of the Bill Gates Millennium Scholar program. (http://www.gmsp.org/ and http://www.gatesfoundation.org/topics/Pages/scholarships.aspx)

According to the Gates Foundation website: "The Gates Millennium Scholars Program will select 1,000 talented students to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. We provide Gates Millennium Scholars with personal and professional development through our leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career."

According to the very proud PHS principal, Gilbert Barraza, “Every Pasadena High School student deserves the chance to go to college. According to the Gates foundation, most U.S. high school students want to attend college. They recognize that higher education is the most direct path to success in their future careers. College also provides students with opportunities to explore their talents and develop leadership skills they can use to participate more fully in adult life—at home, at work, and in their communities.”

Asucan was nominated by her counselor, Minh Tran, and was recommended by Wesley Davis, one of her teachers.

The Gates Scholarship net financial value is approximately $250k, and this scholarship covers all tution, meals, dorms, registration, technology fees, etc…for her Bachelors, Masters, and the first two years of her Doctoral work. ”

Asucan has already been accepted to Notre Dame, Mount St. Mary's and Cal Lutheran. She will be notified in April whether she will be one of the 1,000 to receive this award in 2011.

Congratulations, Melia!  

Click this link for a video on the scholarship process: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/topics/Pages/gates-millennium-scholarships-walt-besio-video.aspx