Three Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students were awarded The Gates Scholarship for the Spring 2024 cycle.
Yared Belete of Marion, Ivy Hong of North Little Rock and Bryce Snider of Hoxie, all members of the Class of 2024, were awarded the scholarship, which is sponsored by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households.
Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance — including tuition, fees, room, board, books and transportation — that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the methodology used by the scholar’s college or university.
Belete said receiving the scholarship removed financial restraints that might have prevented him from attending Washington University in St. Louis, “which comes with a big price tag.”
“I knew that achieving the scholarship would remove any financial burden I would have put on my parents,” said Belete, who plans to become an architect. “This gave me the freedom to now focus on my academics even more and not have to worry about financial debt or have to work a part-time job.
“It’s a great honor to be selected as a Gates Scholar as I know earning this scholarship will help better shape my future and aspirations.”
On the night notification emails were set to go out, Belete was waiting in one of the Student Center lounges with friends. “I was a bit nervous, but at the same time, I was confident that I would get the scholarship from all the work I had put in before,” he said.
“When I saw the notification in my email, I rushed to click on it. The first word I saw was ‘Congratulations.’ I was in disbelief and was extremely happy as my friends were yelling. After that, I started calling my family and friends and sharing this great news.”
Hong, who plans to attend Boston College this fall to major in nursing, agreed that the scholarship relieved some of the stress of committing to a college and allowed her to focus solely on what each college offered in both its nursing program as well as extracurricular activities.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity as it relieves a burden on my parents and the responsibility to allocate time towards a job rather than my studies,” Hong said. “Being a Gates Scholar is an indescribable feeling. It means my efforts throughout my educational career have come to fruition and paid off.”
Hong said she is also excited about opportunities to engage with other Gates Scholars through “a community of like-minded individuals. I hope we can all share our unique perspectives.”
Hong was in her suitemate’s room about to go hang out with other friends when she checked her email notifications before leaving. She saw the email preview saying she was a Gates Scholar.
“At first, I was shocked and froze for a second trying to process the news. Then, excitedly, I immediately told my suite and went to message my family and the faculty who helped me along this journey,” she said.
Hong thanked her family and friends for supporting her. She also thanked Bret Vallun, ASMSA’s associate dean for college counseling, for guiding her through the college application process. Hong also recognized physics instructor Shane Thompson, humanities instructor Dr. Dan Kostopulos and biology instructor Dr. Allyn Dodd who helped her improve as a student and researcher as a student at ASMSA.
“All of the instructors and faculty have been incredibly helpful and integral to my journey,” she said.
Snider said the scholarship allowed him to consider a wider range of schools without concern about cost or distance. He will attend Northwestern University to study civil engineering.
“Being named a Gates Scholar means that I will no longer have to worry about the burden of paying for college. This scholarship recognizes me for the hard work I’ve put in throughout my high school career,” he said.
Snider was traveling when he received the notification that he had received an email. “ I was so nervous that I had to pull over to read it. When I saw the good news, I felt relieved and called my family to let them know,” he said.