Makenzie Adams, graduating senior with the Class of 2023, received the prestigious and competitive Gates Scholarship. The award will cover the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid.
Nationwide, 51,000 graduating seniors applied for the scholarship; about 700 received the scholarship, including Makenzie. She was working on English homework when she received an email that she had received the scholarship.
"I was just in shock," she said. "I really didn't believe it."
According to Gates Scholarship's website, the goal is to help students excel in their course work, graduate college and continue to be leaders throughout their lives by eliminating the financial barriers to college. The program, as part of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, continues the foundation's commitment to helping outstanding minority students who come from low-income backgrounds realize their maximum potential.
Makenzie said the scholarship will allow her to focus on her studies and school experience, without needing to worry about the cost of college. Her experience with the award will begin this summer when she attends the Gates Scholarship Institute in Orlando.
She will attend Ohio University, where she will major in Forensic Chemistry. Makenzie's interest in Forensic Chemistry began with her interest in crime shows. She's always enjoyed science and analyzing evidence. This year, she took forensic science at Newark High School; the class enhanced her interest in the field.
She hopes to get involved in the criminal justice system, helping to resolve unsolved cases. She is looking forward to taking the next step in her education and attending Ohio University this fall.