Ivy Leagues colleges are among the world’s most competitive schools when it comes to admitting graduating high school seniors. That is why when Cicero’s own Abigail Galvez not only was admitted to one of the schools, but also with a four-year scholarship from the Posse Foundation, she had a hard time believing it.
“I was so excited that I asked them to double check the name,” Galvez said. She is a senior at Morton East High School who will attend Cornell Univeristy as a Posse Scholar.
The scholarship was awarded to just 710 students from more than 17,000 nominations nationwide. Just a small handful of Chicagoland students were named Posse Scholars. This is the second year for Morton East — Oscar Barraza received the scholarship last year — putting the school in rare company, as very few schools house scholars in consecutive years.
“I’m so happy that my family won’t have to provide any financial support, and instead, they get to support me emotionally,” Galvez said. Her intention is to major in biology in preparation for a career in the medical industry. But attending the elite school in Ithaca, New York, is more than just academics for the high school senior.
“I’ll be expanding my social circle, participating in extracurricular activities, and taking part in as many internship opportunities as possible,” she said about her first year on campus, scheduled to begin in the fall. “Being a part of extracurricular activities and feeling successful as an AP student has helped me in so many ways. I’m able to express myself effectively and creatively, not to mention the AP program has helped me with my time management skills.”
“This is an important accomplishment for Abigail,” said Jeffry Pesek, Morton 201 School Board President. “Her hard work has paid off and her acceptance to such a prestigious school — and with a full ride — is important for her family and a testament to the dedication Morton 201 has to our students to help them achieve their dreams, no matter how lofty they may seem to others. Nothing is impossible for our students.”