Three Central High School Students Named Gates Millennium Scholars

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Three students from Central High School have been given a well-earned honor.

Kenya Andrews, Christine Okaro, and Ashley Washington, all seniors, have been named Gates Millennium Scholars, and will each receive $250,000 toward furthering their education in college.

The award is handed out to 1,000 students every year nationwide, and in the history of the program, only one Bibb County School District student had been recognized in the past. Thelron Pleas, also a Central High School graduate, was named a Gates Scholar in 2011.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program was established in 1999 and is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, helping give students with outstanding academic credentials, but with significant financial need, a chance to attend higher education.

If continuing Gates Scholars choose to become graduate students, they may request additional funding for a graduate degree in one of the following areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.