John Tyler Student Selected as Gates Millennium Scholar

TYLER — John Tyler High School senior Carneisha Daniels has been selected as a member of the Class of 2015 Gates Millennium Scholars. Each year more than 54,000 students from across the nation apply, but only 1,000 are selected as Gates Millennium Scholars. The program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education at a school of their choice in any discipline area of interest.

Continuing Gates Millennium Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. Since Ms. Daniels will be majoring in a math field, the scholarship will fully fund her education through the receipt of a Ph.D.

“Receiving the Gates Millennium Scholarship makes me feel like heaven has opened multiple doors for my family and me,” Ms. Daniels said. “So much stress and worry has been relieved. I am truly thankful for the blessing from God and the support of my family, my friends, my school and my community. My words of encouragement to everyone are to always remember this quote by Tim Duncan, ‘Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.'”

Ms. Daniels, an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) student, is a member of the National Honor Society and various other clubs and organizations at John Tyler High School. She has won many awards and honors by her school, church and the community.