Two Richland One Students Named Gates Millennium Scholars

May 4, 2014

COLUMBIA, SC – May 4, 2014 – Two Richland One students have been named 2014 Gates Millennium Scholars, a highly prestigious award that will pay the entire cost of their college education through graduation, including graduate school.

It is with much pride that Richland One extends its congratulations to seniors Jaleel Jefferson of Dreher High School and Samanuel Martin of W.J. Keenan High School. “We are extremely proud and excited for Jaleel and Samanuel because we know what receiving this scholarship means for them and their families,” said Superintendent Dr. Percy Mack.

“We have made a concerted effort in Richland One to encourage students to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship because we believe that an opportunity to go to college through graduate school at no cost is an opportunity that should not be missed,” Dr. Mack said. “I want to commend our guidance coordinator, Dr. Dorothy Gallman, our principals and their guidance staff for their work.”

Richland One has had 11 Gates Millennium Scholars in the past seven years.

Along with being the district’s newest Gates Millennium Scholars, Jaleel and Samanuel also share a compassion to help others.

Jaleel plans to pursue a degree in neuroscience with the goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in neuroscience research and a medical degree. His grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease and he is motivated to find a cure by conducting research on the brain and treating patients with the disease. Jaleel has already started his career as a research scientist. During the summers of 2011 and 2012, he worked with scientists at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to research methods of preventing bacterial infections and fighting cancer. In addition to being a National Achievement Scholarship semifinalist, Jaleel is a member of Dreher’s robotics team, the varsity math team and the National Honor Society. He volunteers at the C.M. Tucker Nursing Care Center and enjoys swimming.

In addition to being the battalion commander of Keenan’s Army JROTC program, Samanuel is a member of Project REAL, Keenan’s engineering program and the robotics team. He has been a member of the National Beta Club since his sophomore year and the National Honor Society since his junior year. Samanuel plans to obtain a degree in biomedical engineering with the long-range goal of using his knowledge to design better prostheses. Ultimately he wants to become a medical doctor so he can travel across the nation helping families who cannot afford medical treatment. In 2013 Samanuel was a citizen at Palmetto Boys State and the recipient of the West Point Leadership Award.

Richland One also extends its congratulations to three other district students who were finalists for this year’s Gates Millennium Scholarships: Aaron Smith of Lower Richland High School, Andres Uribe of A.C. Flora High School and Octavia Htoo of Columbia High School.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Its goal is to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to attend college. Applicants must have a 3.3 or higher GPA (grade point average) and have demonstrated superb academic achievement, leadership abilities and extra-curricular community service activities. Each year the Foundation awards scholarships to 1,000 students nationwide.