FUTURES FOR CHILDREN STUDENT AWARDED GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARSHIP
Futures for Children student Kayleen Cheykaychi, of Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM, has been selected as a 2004 Gates Millennium Scholar. Kayleen plans to attend New Mexico State University in fall 2004 to study architecture and business management.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides funding for the scholarship program designed to increase the number of low-income, high-achieving minority students enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, mathematics or education. Award criteria for the highly competitive scholarship is based upon academic achievement, community service and demonstrated leadership abilities. Kayleen is one of 1,000 students selected from more than 60,000 who applied nationwide to receive the scholarship this year.
Kayleen, a 2004 graduate of the Santa Fe Indian School, was a member of the Key Club (Kiwanis Education Youth), the National Honor Society and the Hawaiian Exchange Program. Her awards include National Merit Leadership Award, New Mexico State Senate Award, and �Who�s Who Among Outstanding High School Students.�
Daughter of Eileen and Jeremy Rosetta, Kayleen attributes her success in school to her parents, her late grandfather, and her extended family; her Futures for Children mentors Dr. J.A. and Cherie Ignatis of Montecito CA. Kayleen stresses the important role they played in her recent achievement, �Having my mentors there alongside my family for encouragement has helped me strive for the best. The support I received came from more than just one place and I knew there were others out there who cared about me.� Her mentors inspired her to show others that anything is possible: �Futures for Children is a great organization that supports and encourages Native American students to strive for what may seem impossible to get: a good education.�
Futures for Children a non-profit organization head-quartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico delivers educational resources and opportunities to American Indian students insuring their right to an education. For the past 35 years Futures for Children has successfully worked with Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo tribes motivating over 12,000 American Indian students to stay in school, graduate and achieve their potential.
