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Roncalli Catholic student receives surprise $80000 scholarship

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary (CSM) has selected Gwyneth Ashley Velasco, of Omaha, Neb., as a Marie Curie Scholar, starting in the fall. CSM presented Velasco with a surprise scholarship check for $80,000 at Roncalli Catholic High School on Wednesday, March 21. She receives the scholarship after standing out in academic talent and showing outstanding leadership service.

“Gwyneth is a very motivated young woman of numerous talents and considerable self-discipline,” said John Poltack, a science teacher at Roncalli Catholic High School.

College of Saint Mary’s prestigious Marie Curie Scholars Program, which is funded in part by the National Science Foundation, provides significant financial support and resources to outstanding young women pursuing study in STEM majors, such as biology, chemistry, or math.

Marie Curie Scholars receive up to $20,000 annually for four years in gift aid. In addition to having access to substantial financial resources and facilities, participants also receive free tutoring, have opportunities for undergraduate research, and have access to top programs like the National Institute of Health and NASA research fellowships. Marie Curie Scholars at CSM also often attend and present at national conferences.

Velasco earns the scholarship after achieving several honors at Roncalli Catholic High School. Some of Velasco’s academic and extracurricular accomplishments include:

  • Honor Roll (2014-15)
  • High Honor Roll (2015-17)
  • Campus Ministry Award (2014-17)
  • Academic All-Conference Award – Speech (2016)
  • Religion Department Award (2016-17)
     

Additionally, Velasco served in several leadership roles while at Roncalli Catholic High School, including representing the school to area junior high and grade schools as a student ambassador.

At CSM, she plans to major in Chemistry, starting in the fall of 2018.  Located in Omaha, in the heart of Aksarben Village, College of Saint Mary uses initiatives like the Marie Curie Scholar Program to provide women from all backgrounds with access to an affordable, excellent college experience, career-driven coursework, and lifelong leadership skills. She is one of five recipients of this year’s Marie Curie Scholarship.