Oct. 26, 2020 – A total of 17 San Antonio ISD seniors demonstrating leadership ability, personal success, and academic merits have earned recognition for two prestigious scholarship awards. Six students were named Phase 1 Scholars for The Gates Scholarship, and 12 were named finalists for the QuestBridge Scholarship Program. One student from Travis Early College High School was recognized for both scholarship programs.

The 6 students chosen as Phase 1 Scholars for the Gates Scholarship are:

• Andrea Sanchez, Brackenridge High School
• Mario Campos, Fox Tech High School
• Damian Chavez, Lanier High School
• Chyna Smith, St. Philip’s Early College High School
• Samuel Torres, Travis Early College High School
• Myra Barrera, Young Women’s Leadership Academy

The 12 students chosen as finalists for the QuestBridge Scholarship include:

• Juan Gonzalez, Burbank High School
• Laurent Andrea Torres Sauceda, CAST Tech High School
• Isauro Sanchez, CAST Tech High School
• Angel Isaac, Edison High School
• Ja’Lynn Crenshaw, Highlands High School
• Taylor Miner, Sam Houston High School
• Elisabeth Gutierrez, Lanier High School
• Samuel Torres, Travis Early College High School
• Selena Flores, Travis Early College High School
• Caroline Evangelista, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Armani Carreon, Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• Autumn Kretzschmar, Young Women’s Leadership Academy

The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Three hundred students win this prize each year with the intent of helping these young scholars realize their maximum potential. The QuestBridge National College Match program is a college and scholarship application process that helps outstanding low-income student seniors gain admission and full, four-year scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges. Only 3 percent of high school seniors nationwide are considered for the esteemed scholarship.

“This is the most diversified group of QuestBridge scholars we’ve had at San Antonio ISD,” said Dr. Eduardo Sesatty, director of postsecondary initiatives. “This year, we had 12 finalists from eight high schools. In 2019, for example, we had eight finalists from three high schools. This is a testament of what our students can accomplish when given access to opportunity.”

Burbank QuestBridge finalist Juan Gonzalez couldn’t believe he made the cut and is excited to see if he’ll be named a winner.

“My dream job is to be a computer engineer. I love coding and the unlimited possibilities that come with those languages,” he said. “When I found out I got selected to be a finalist for QuestBridge, I was in shock because I didn’t believe I had a chance.”

The Phase 1 Gates scholars will compete for semifinalist spots in December, with candidate interviews in March and April of 2021 and final selection in April. QuestBridge finalists will begin the college match process with early admission to their matching school in December 2020.