Three selected for Gates full-ride scholarships

They are one, two, three in their class, and like three peas in a pod.They are this year's Gates Millenium Scholars at Lake Roosevelt High School.

The three - Chyenne Kelly-Marconi, Daniel Campobasso and Brandin Smith - have all won a full ride at the university of their choice as a result of their selection by the Gates organization.

The three make up the 14th, 15th and 16th Gates scholars selected from Lake Roosevelt.

There were 10 Gates scholars selected this year in Washington state, and three of them are from Lake Roosevelt High School. A total of 52,000 applied for the 1,000 scholarships being given nationally.

Marconi is this year's valedictorian with a 3.9 grade point average, followed by Campobasso who is salutatorian with a 3.848 grade point average and Smith who has a 3.8 average.

Marconi and Campobasso will be featured speakers at this year's graduation. And Smith, who is also student body president, will get his turn also as senior class speaker.

Cathy Krohn, Career Pathways Coordinator, who has been the guide for Gates scholar applicants, says the three are "tight" and spend time together and show each other a lot of respect.

Marconi plans to attend Washington State University to study to become a zoo veterinary doctor and is looking at 8-12 years of study. She has visited at WSU a couple of times. She enjoys art and music and tries her hand at sketching.

While at LRHS she has participated in volleyball and gone to state twice in track.

Campobasso is destined for Gonzaga University (and don't ask him for basketball tickets) where he will pursue business courses.

His hopes are to develop new technology products that he can take into the international scene. He has his eyes on his own company, someday.

Campobasso participated in basketball, tennis and cross country.

Smith plans to attend Whitworth. His career at LRHS includes being cheer king for football and basketball and playing tennis, and he carries a 3.8 grade point average.

He plans to pursue a career in nursing with a dual interest in theater. He has put in 120 hours of community service at Coulee Medical Center. Smith would like to continue on to a master's degree.

Gates Millenium Scholars are monitored during the course of their advanced education. They can continue getting Gates scholarship assistance through advanced degrees.

Getting the scholarship isn't an easy process. Applicants have to write as many as eight essays, baring personal feelings, attitudes and experiences.

"We make students aware of the Gates program when they are freshmen," Krohn stated.

The students have to have at least a 3.3 grade point average to make it through the application stage, and must show proof of being accepted by a four-year university.

Krohn has been the coordinator of the program since 2004, and on the school staff since 1998.

The Gates Millenium Scholarship program gives support to minority students from low income families.