Ju’Nya Bates, Ripley High School Senior, has been named a 2024 Gates Millennium Scholar. Established in 1999 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program promotes academic excellence and opportunities for outstanding minority students by reducing financial barriers, increasing minority representation in specific disciplines, and developing a diversified cadre of future American leaders.
Ju’Nya is one of 750 Scholars from across the country chosen from a pool of over 53,000 applicants. On receiving the Gates Scholarship, Ju’Nya said, “Receiving The Gates Scholarship is something I never would have imagined possible for me, yet here I am! I believe that this scholarship will enable me to fully immerse myself into my studies and focus on pursuing my dream of becoming a physician without the worries of financial burden. I’m so grateful to have received this scholarship and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me. As always all glory is to God!”
Ju’Nya will be recognized as one of Ripley High School’s Valedictorians during the 2024 commencement in May and will attend Howard University this fall. During her time at Ripley High School, Ju’Nya served as an AWARE Advisory Council member; Beta Club (member, Vice President, President); HOSA member; Junior Class President; Student Council (member, Parliamentarian); and Tennis player.
For more information on the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, click here.