Hillcrest Senior Named Gates Millennium Finalist
The Academic Success Program, a nonprofit organization that provides support to DISD high school students, announced that Hillcrest senior Jared Juarez has been named a finalist in the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.
Jared was required to complete a lengthy application process with eight essays about his academic, community, and personal goals and accomplishments. He also had to secure faculty and community nominations and recommendations.
More than 50,000 high school seniors apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, but only 2,000 finalists are chosen. In April, 1,000 students will be named Gates Millennium Scholars
Jared is a two-year captain of the varsity football and wrestling teams. He is a member of Interact Club and was recognized his junior year with the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Jared is also a member of the National Honor Society and the manager of the cheerleading squad. Jared placed fifth and qualified for regionals in the UIL vocabulary competition as a junior and participated in the Hispanic Youth Institute and ROTC. Jared works at Hollister and enjoys volunteering at Operation Kindness and East Lake Pet Orphanage when he has a few extra moments.
Jared will be the first in his family to attend college and is proud to set an example for other first-generation students, including his younger sister, who is a freshman at Hillcrest. Jared’s goals center around helping those in need and he is considering becoming a civil engineer for the betterment of society, helping animals as a veterinarian, or providing care for people as a doctor. He has been accepted to numerous colleges, including Arkansas, Baylor, Ithaca, North Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, and Valparaiso. Jared is awaiting notification from Bard College, Loyola University- Maryland, and Wake Forest.
