![Jefferson Student Wins Prestigious National Scholarship](http://townsquare.media/site/671/files/2014/05/Gerardo.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Jefferson Student Wins Prestigious National Scholarship
Here's an inspiring story on the local education front.
Gerardo Castillo, who's currently a senior at Jefferson High School, has been selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar. He'll use the scholarship to attend Harvard University in the fall.
What's a Gates Millennium Scholar? The program (yes, named after Bill Gates) provides 1,000 scholarships every year in an effort to remove barriers to education for outstanding minority students who face significant financial need.
There are 59 Gates Millennium Scholars in Illinois, but Castillo is the only recipient from the Stateline area.
Jefferson Principal, Don Rundall, is not surprised at Castillo's honor:
Gerardo is a scholar in every sense of the word. His commitment to education is obvious, but what people may not know about him is how fearless he is and how readily he seeks a challenge. We are so proud of him here at Jefferson. As much as we will miss him, we know he is headed for great things – in the Ivy League and beyond.
Castillo is planning to major in chemistry and would like to attend medical school after graduating from college. But there's more good news! As a Gates Millennium scholar, he'll receive help with masters and doctoral study as well.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is funded through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Nice job and good luck to Gerardo!
More From WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM
![Rockford School District Offering Big Sign-On Bonuses To New Employees](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2022/07/RS29214_ThinkstockPhotos-515262266-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![List of Best Schools In Illinois for 2022 Is Out, Where Does Yours Rank?](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2022/07/attachment-Best-School-Districts-In-Illinois1.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Illinois Superintendent Grabs The Wheel During Bus Driver Shortage](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2021/09/attachment-Nick-Cooper-TSM-Duluth-RS39979_DSC_6206.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![RPS 205 Says All Bus Riding Students Will Be Affected By Bus Driver Shortage](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2018/06/Thinkstock_suesmith2_Schoolbus-e1529413404346.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Illinois Biker Club Shares Heartwarming Message For Back-To-School Students](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2021/08/attachment-bikes-Bikers-Against-Bullying-Illinois.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Rockford Public Schools Is Hiring For Lots of Positions Next Week](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2021/06/RS23622_GettyImages-478586989-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![RPS 205 Won’t Require COVID Vaccinations for Upcoming School Year](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2020/07/RS40701_GettyImages-178106824-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Some of Rockford’s Most Legendary Donuts Now Available in Harvard](http://townsquare.media/site/721/files/2021/04/RS17791_GettyImages-586060658-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![RPS 205 Is Setting Up Vaccination Clinics for High School Students](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2019/04/GettyImages-VACCINATIONS-e1614091570302.jpg?w=980&q=75)