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Health & Fitness

Conard's Maggie George Named 2013 Gates Millennium Scholar

Conard High senior Margaret George knew she wanted to be a Gates Millennium Scholar (GMS) when her neighbor and longtime friend Jennifer Huynh (Conard 2012) achieved the status last Spring. "The buzz surrounding Jen's accomplishment was so exciting! That's when I knew I wanted it," says Maggie. As soon as the application was made available last summer, Maggie got started. She tells us that Jen's leadership was instrumental in encouraging her through the process. 

Indeed, leadership is a quality that sets Gates scholars apart from the rest. The GMS website community page (www.gmsp.org) affirms, "Gates Millennium Scholars believes that engagement with our community is the best way to make sure we're meeting the needs of our scholars, their families, and the counselors who guide them." With this in mind both Maggie and Jen are committed to giving back to their community by presenting compelling information about the application process to GMS hopefuls. Maggie says that many of the targeted population are simply not aware of the scholarship. She wants others to understand that this far-reaching scholarship is attainable with hard work and determination.
While Maggie has maintained a high GPA, academics is only a portion of what makes her a winning candidate. Her extensive record of community involvement and leadership in school, at church, and on the field are admirable. Her extracurricular activities include four years of high school field hockey, in which she received a letter; tennis, kickboxing, coaching, participation in Club Anytown and Unified Theater, volunteering as a catechism teacher, and holding a part-time job at J.C. Penney. She exhibits what it means to be a teammate, mentor, coach, role model, and friend. 

What does becoming a Gates Millennium Scholar mean to Maggie? "It's life changing! It’s a relief  that I don’t have to worry about financial burdens and I can focus on my studies.”  As a Gates Millennium Scholar, Maggie will have funds available to attend her first choice college. In addition, if Maggie pursues graduate studies in the fields of Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Library Science, Mathematics, Public Health or Science, she may be eligible for GMS fellowship funding for her education through the master’s and doctoral levels. This fall Maggie will begin political science studies at the College of the Holy Cross, and intends to practice law. 

Before heading to college, though, Maggie will enjoy the benefits of another fully funded scholarship – the Greek Summer program, under the sponsorship of the American Farm School (www.afs.org). Staying true to volunteerism, she will work in a team with other participants on agricultural and building projects that will beautify and enhance life in a village in Greece, while being fully immersed in the language and culture. 


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