Goldsboro High School student among 1,000 to earn scholarship
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on June 13, 2007 1:45 PM
A Goldsboro High School graduate will go to college this fall with a little help from Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Valedictorian Tremaine Rawls has been named recipient of a Gates Millenium Scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Rawls is one of 1,000 students chosen from a pool of more than 12,000 applicants in 47 states for the award, which can be applied toward postgraduate work. He had already received a four-year scholarship to attend Norfolk State University in Virginia, where he plans to major in computer science.
The GMS scholarship will pay for his tuition, room and board, books, laptop computer and other required equipment and study abroad programs.
Launched with a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the GMS program is geared to reducing financial barriers and raising the educational opportunities for minority students enrolling in college.
Paying for college and beyond was something Rawls said he knew would be an issue.
"I am very excited to have earned this scholarship," Rawls said. "Finding money to pay for college was a major burden for me, and was truly a determining factor in whether I could attend college next fall. This scholarship has given me the opportunity to not only get my undergraduate degree, but it will also cover all of the costs for me to receive a graduate and doctorate degree."
Rawls is the second Goldsboro High student to be named a GMS scholar. Last year, Hameka Canady also earned a GMS scholarship. She now attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Having two recipients from the same school is a positive reflection on the caliber of students, said Dr. Steven Taylor, superintendent of schools. In recent years, he said, Goldsboro High graduates have also earned Morehead and Parks scholarships to attend UNC-Chapel and N.C. State University, as well as full awards to other four-year universities like Duke and MIT.
"I am very proud of Tremaine," GHS Principal Patricia Burden said. "Tremaine is a hard worker, has always gone above and beyond what was asked of him and proven himself academically. This award is a 'golden ticket' that will ensure Tremaine will have the necessary tools to be successful in life, college, and career."