Recent J.A. Fair graduate Chelsea Gillespie began the path toward academic excellence early in her school career and it has paid off in a big way. Gillespie was not only the Valedictorian of her high school class; she was a recipient of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship. This honor allows her to attend any college or university in the U.S. at no cost. Gillespie is the only senior in LRSD to receive the honor this year and among only five selected in the entire state for 2012.
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. Recipients are also provided with personal and professional development through GMS leadership programs along with academic support throughout the students’ college career. The program, established in 1999, is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.