Gates Scholarship covers four years of college for PHS co-valedictorian Liliana Gonzales

PATEROS – Along with the sense of accomplishment that comes with being selected class salutatorian or valedictorian is the opportunity to be awarded a life-changing scholarship. Class of 2024 co-valedictorian Liliana Gonzales-Sanchez knows that feeling after being named one of the recipients of The Gates Scholarship (TGS) described as a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. It will cover the full cost of attending the college of her choice. For Gonzales that is Washington State University. A recent visit to WSU convinced Gonzales to reconsider her major.

“At first, I thought I was going to do criminal justice, but I went to visit I and ended up changing my mind. I think I’m going to do creative writing.”

Gonzales said she has always been interested in reading and writing since she was a kid. Later in school she explored job opportunities in the writing field.

“I mentioned that to our school psychologist, Holly Weston, and later she brought it up and asked if that was still what I wanted to do,” said Gonzales. “I think that was the push I needed.”

Gonzales credits her family and particularly her mother for the motivation to excel academically.

“My mom works at school and seeing the work she puts in for the kids makes realize how much teachers and families do for me,” said Gonzales. “It really pushed me to do well.”

She also played percussion in the band throughout high school.

The Gates Scholarship stands out as the major achievement in Gonzales’ high school career. Pateros school counselor Amy Stennes brought TGS to Gonzales’ attention and urged her to apply for it.

“I found out in April that I won it,” said Gonzales. “I think 750 were chosen out of 53,000 applicants.”

Gonzales has sound advice for younger students.

“Build relationships with your teachers and staff,” said Gonzales. “Those people who will end up supporting you in your senior year when you really need it.”

Gonzales credits living in a small town like Pateros for teaching her an important life lesson.

“The biggest thing I learned is that the people you connect with are the people that you become, they make you who you are.” said Gonzales. “That’s why I make such a point to always have good relationships with people, Integrate yourself into your community,”

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media