Congratulating Jaylynne Calderon-Monterroso, Recipient of the Gates Scholarship

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of Jaylynne Calderon-Monterroso from Michigan's Third Congressional District. Jaylynne, a senior at Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, is one of 750 high school students from across the country to receive the prestigious Gates Scholarship, which fully covers all educational expenses throughout recipients' undergraduate careers. This highly selective scholarship is awarded to minority students from low-income households, with 48 states being represented in this year's cohort.

Graduating with a 4.35 grade point average, Jaylynne has been a shining example of academic and merit based excellence for her West Michigan friends and colleagues. Along with being valedictorian and president of the senior executive board for University Preparatory Academy, she has also served on the Mayor's Youth Council and is a member of the National Honor Society.

When asked about Jaylynne, Principal Kenyatta Hill-Hall said, ``I know that she's impacted our community and the Grand Rapids community, but I'm telling people they need to watch out, because this girl is going to impact this world''. And impact the world, she will. Jaylynne has been a fearless leader and advocate for her fellow students, initiating the creation of a mental health room at her high school that allows students and faculty to have a safe space to de-stress from school.

On behalf of myself and our proud West Michigan community, I applaud Jaylynne for her hard work and cheer her on as she embarks on her college career at the University of Notre Dame, studying pre-law and economics as a first-generation college student. There is no doubt that her future is bright and that she will go on to become an influential changemaker, making West Michigan proud.

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