In the rush of dramatic D.C. school news last week—a beloved principal’s murder, a disputed $34 million surplus—a bit of good news was lost in the shuffle. In a surprise ceremony last Thursday morning, seven D.C. high school seniors were awarded Gates Millennium Scholarships.

The extremely competitive awards cover tuition and all expenses for any major at any university, for as long as it takes the student to graduate, and can be extended through graduate school to pursue education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or the sciences. For a high-achieving kid struggling to find a way to continue their education, there is no better prize.

One thousand such scholarships are given every year to extraordinary low-income, minority students, and are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

D.C.’s winners are Mary Amaechi (Benjamin Banneker Academic High School), Jose Gutierrez (Saint Anselm’s Abbey School), Elzabad Kennedy (McKinley Technology High School), Jasmina Rivas (School Without Walls), Erwin Sweetwine (Banneker), Jovalee Thompson (Banneker), and Isaiah West (Frank W. Ballou High School).

According to the Post, 57 students applied for the scholarship this year; 11 were finalists and seven were selected, up from one winner last year. Isaiah West is the first scholarship recipient from Ballou in several years.

Many, many congratulations to the students, their families, and their teachers for all of their hard work and achievement. Well done!

Photo by Mr. T in DC