OHS senior, Sebastian Silva-Zuniga is a finalist for the Gates Millennium Scholars program.
Established in 1999 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the goal of the Gates Millennium Scholars is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential by:
- Reducing financial barriers for students with high academic and leadership promise ;
- Increasing the representation of these target groups in the disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences, where these groups are severely underrepresented;
- Developing a diversified cadre of future leaders for America; and
- Providing seamless support from undergraduate through doctoral programs for students selected.
Silva-Zuniga will be a first generation college student, majoring in aerospace and environmental engineering at Iowa State University. His parents are proud of his dedication. “They feel I am setting an example for my brothers to follow,” according to Silva-Zuniga. He is an officer in JROTC and was selected Cadet of the Year in 2014. He also participates in cross country and track.
