Goldsboro High valedictorian receives Gates Scholarship
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 27, 2010 1:46 PM
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Lakiyah Campbell poses outside Goldsboro High School. The senior recently found out she has been awarded a full-ride Gates Millennium Scholarship.
Lakiyah Campbell already knew she was ranked No. 1 for the Class of 2010, making her its valedictorian.
But now she also has the promise that her college -- including a graduate degree if she chooses to continue her education -- will be paid for.
Ms. Campbell has been named a recipient of the United Negro College Fund's Gates Millennium Scholarship. She is among 1,000 students representing 45 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories awarded the distinction.
"When I found out, my grandma cried and said she was proud of me," she said. "I was really worried about how I was going to pay for college. It still does not feel real."
Established in 1999 with the goal of developing the next generation of America's leaders, the GMS program is funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is designed to reduce financial barriers and increase the number of African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian- and Pacific Islander-American and Hispanic-American students enrolling in and completing undergraduate programs.
Scholarships are awarded to incoming college freshmen who have demonstrated academic achievement in the classroom and shown leadership skills through service to their communities. Continuing Gates Scholars may request funding for a graduate-degree program in one of the following areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.
Ms. Campbell plans to attend N.C. A&T State University in the fall and major in biology. The GMS award will pay for her tuition, room and board, books, laptop computers or other required equipment and study abroad programs.
It will also provide distinctive personal, academic and professional growth opportunities through the GMS Leadership Program.
Ms. Campbell is the fourth Gates scholar chosen from Goldsboro High. Teddy Howell was a recipient in 2008, preceded by Tremaine Rawls in 2007 and Hameka Canady in 2006.