From Washoe County School District:
For the second consecutive year, a senior at Hug High School has been named a Gates Millennium Scholar. Joel Paniagua Soto plans to attend the University of California, Davis, to study bio-medical engineering in the fall.
Soto had just celebrated his 18th birthday when he received the news.
“It was the day after my birthday that my dreams came true, and after all the hard work, I could not have received a better gift,” said Soto. “I want to thank the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and all my teachers for leading and supporting me.”
“Since middle school, Joel has demonstrated exemplary commitment to his education, his school, and his community,” said Hug High School Principal Lauren Ford. “You would be hard pressed to find a nicer or more humble young man, and we are so very proud of his recognition by the Gates Foundation.”
Joel Paniagua Soto was the first of his family of six to be born in the United States, and after a family emergency forced a three-year relocation outside the country, he returned to the United States to start his education in the fourth grade. He worked hard to catch up in his studies and improve his language skills, and that perseverance paid off: He will graduate with a higher than 5.0 weighted grade point average in June.
The Gates Millennium Scholarship program is funded through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The scholarship will cover all education-related expenses including tuition, housing, meals, and books. It is also renewable, and will fund his entire academic career including his studies through a master's degree and doctoral program in bio-medical engineering if he decides to continue his education.
“After working with and watching Joel over the past few years, there is no doubt in my mind why he was selected as a recipient of this scholarship,” said Carly Sweder, senior counselor at Hug High School. “Joel defines ‘hard working:' he has never earned a grade lower than an A, he challenges himself to take the most challenging classes available to him, and goes above and beyond in each one. He is an athlete, a scholar, and a volunteer, and is a member of MESA, Key Club, National Honor Society, and Green Club, just to name a few. He is also one of the most kind and humble students I have ever met.”
“Joel has a passion for learning that goes beyond the classroom, and views every experience as a learning opportunity,” said Ana Herrera, a science teacher at Hug High School. “He demonstrates the ability to set goals and achieve all of his goals because of his impeccable follow-through skills.”
From Washoe County School District
