Nearing the end of the first semester, many seniors have their eyes set on graduation and their plans after high school. For Gabriella Reyes, a student at Great Bend High School, an award from QuestBridge National College Match program has dramatically, and positively, influenced her plans to pursue higher education with a full four-year scholarship to Williams College in Massachusetts.
For Reyes, the Match Scholarship will cover tuition, room/board, as well as airfare to travel to/from Massachusetts, totaling over $200,000.
QuestBridge National College Match is a national program that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to top colleges. Out of over 16,500 applicants, QuestBridge selected 6,312 Finalists to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship (Match Scholarship). This year, QuestBridge’s 45 college partners matched with 1,674 Finalists, who are recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients.
“This is a life-changing opportunity,” said Lacy Wolters, ACT/Career coordinator at GBHS. “Gaby has consistently been at the top of her class and has worked hard for many years with this goal in sight.”
In addition to support from Wolters, Reyes is lucky to have a close mentor to support her through the difficult application process that began earlier this year. Reyes’ older sister, Rossiel, is also a Match Scholarship recipient and will graduate from Tuft’s University this May. She also shared gratitude for the Barton County Upward Bound Program and staff member Kelsey Hall for years of invaluable mentorship.
After the initial application, essays, and interview rounds, Reyes was anticipating an email from QuestBridge on Dec. 1.
“I knew the email would arrive before 4 p.m.,” said Reyes, “I went into each class that day fully expecting to get news, good or bad. Walking out of 7th hour I received the good news and was able to celebrate with my friends!”
Reyes visited Williams College earlier this fall. She shared that she likes the smaller school atmosphere where professors know your name and campus that feels like a close community. Reyes plans to study English and Literature.
About QuestBridge
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading institutions of higher education and further life opportunities. By recruiting, developing, and motivating these students — beginning in high school through college to their early career — QuestBridge aims to help talented, low-income students attend the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their respective careers and communities.
