A huge weight has been lifted off of Evelyn Gesualdo-Lopez’s shoulders as she prepares to cross the graduation stage on May 30. The soon to be Canutillo High School graduate has secured a number of prestigious scholarships to fund the next chapter of her academic career.
Gesualdo-Lopez's dedication and academic prowess have been recognized with the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, making her only the second recipient of this scholarship in CHS history. She also earned the University of Texas at Austin Impact Scholarship and is one of only two candidates in the region and one of only 36 in the state to receive the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship.
In total, the CHS senior has garnered nearly $300,000 in scholarships to fund her future.
“We are very proud of Evelyn for all her hard work and dedication,” said CHS Principal Candice Marrufo. “These honors not only celebrate her outstanding achievements but also highlights her commitment to excellence and potential for future success. Evelyn's journey serves as an inspiration to her peers, showcasing the transformative power of hard work and determination in pursuit of one's dreams.”
Previously, Gesualdo-Lopez said she felt nervous because if it weren’t for scholarships she wouldn’t be able to attend her dream college and pursue her dream of becoming an engineer.
As graduation day nears, her nerves are now at ease and her only concern is getting through commencement and saying goodbye to her friends and family as she prepares to take on the future. She has committed to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
“All the good things and bad things that have happened throughout high school have made me who I am and applying for these scholarships have allowed me to share my story and they saw potential in me,” Gesualdo-Lopez said. “This process has allowed me to believe in myself and
prove that I am capable.”
Gesualdo-Lopez is also still in the running as a Hispanic Scholarship finalist. She will learn in June if she can add that additional scholarship to her impressive roster of awards.