Union High School is celebrating the remarkable achievement of two of its graduates, Abigail Naranjo and Daniel Momoh-Oare, who have been awarded the prestigious Gates Scholarship. Naranjo, the salutatorian of the 2024 class, and Momoh-Oare, a 2023 graduate, are among the exceptional students honored with this award.
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship aimed at outstanding, minority high school seniors from low-income households. It is designed to help these exceptional student leaders reach their maximum potential.
Recipients:
Abigail Naranjo: Union High School’s 2024 salutatorian, plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to pursue a major in Biology with aspirations of attending medical school and eventually working in a hospital or starting her own practice.
Daniel Momoh-Oare: A 2023 graduate, has just completed his first year at the University of Connecticut, where he is studying physiology and neurobiology. He aims to become an oncological physical therapist working with cancer patients.
Experience and Impact:
Both Naranjo and Momoh-Oare recently visited Sandra Mangarella’s class to share their experiences and inspire current students. They discussed the rigorous application process for the Gates Scholarship, which involves extensive essay writing and a competitive selection process.
Quotes:
Daniel Momoh-Oare: “It was a learning curve – high school to college is very different, but I think I coped very well. The submission process for the Gates Scholarship was rigorous, involving a lot of essay writing. I was very excited when I got it. I appreciate Union; I feel like Union really supports their students.”
Abigail Naranjo: “The Gates Scholarship is the only reason I could attend UCLA. It’s been a stepping stone to go to such an amazing school. I applied before the beginning of the year, and there’s no way I would have been able to afford it without the scholarship.”
Teacher’s Perspective:
Sandra Mangarella, a teacher at Union High School, expressed her pride in her students’ achievements. She noted that the first Gates Scholarship winner from her class was twelve years ago, and now, with back-to-back winners, she continues to encourage her students to apply. She emphasized the importance of these scholarships in opening doors for students to pursue higher education.
Advice for Future Applicants:
Naranjo reminded current students that the deadline to apply for the Gates Scholarship is at the beginning of the school year, urging them to start their applications soon.
Conclusion:
Union High School continues to foster a supportive environment for its students, helping them achieve remarkable success. The achievements of Abigail Naranjo and Daniel Momoh-Oare serve as an inspiration to current and future students, highlighting the significant impact of the Gates Scholarship in making higher education accessible.
