Three MPS students named Gates Millenium Scholars

MILWAUKEE-Three MPS students deserve a round of applause for being named Gates Millennium Scholars.

There are only 1,000 of these nationwide, so it's a very big deal.

It's an honor that comes with a full scholarship for each of those college bound students.

The winners are:

Maria Capistran, of MPS’ South Division High School

Eric Isidoro, of MPS’ Milwaukee School of Languages

Fernando Mandujano, of MPS’ Carmen High School of Science and Technology



Capistran has been accepted into Alverno College and Mount Mary University; Isidoro has been accepted into the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and others; and Mandujuano has been accepted into Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is awaiting news from the University of Chicago.



All the winners achieved their scholarship thanks to educators and counselors at their schools who have helped them along the way. Capistran and Isidoro also received support from College Possible Milwaukee, the local operation of a national nonprofit group, along with their school counselors.



“This is an enormous achievement,” MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton said. “When the Gates Foundation says these scholarships have the potential to change lives, they’re absolutely right. Congratulations to the students, their families, educators and partners in the MPS family who made this remarkable accomplishment possible.”



“Earning a Gates Millennium Scholarship is a significant achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students Eric and Maria,” said College Possible Executive Director Edie Turnbull. “With their College Possible coaches alongside to help them navigate the path to college, both students were able to be successful in securing funding that will cover their college costs all the way to completion of their bachelor’s degrees. These two are great examples of what our students can achieve with hard work, determination and support.”



Patricia Hoben, Head of Schools, Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, said \"Fernando is a true emerging leader who manifests the college and career readiness and community engagement abilities we envision for all Carmen students by the time they graduate from high school. With the exceptional support of College Transition Coordinator Beth Mesrobian, Fernando and all members of Carmen's Class of 2014 have been accepted to college.\"