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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Two Baldwin County High School seniors have been awarded the Gates Scholarship, providing them with a full four-year scholarship to any university of their choice.
Zion Veal and Tamia Miller received the national scholarship, which covers all expenses not met by other financial aid.
“It’s covered my whole tuition for my undergrad, so I don’t have to pay for anything” says Zion Veal.
Veal says he transferred to Baldwin High School from Wilkinson County in 10th grade and enrolled in the Georgia College Early College program. He says he initially considered joining the military, but decided to pursue higher education instead.
“I wanted that associate degree, and I knew I had to come up here and handle business. I couldn’t come up here and play around. I had to make a name for myself, and I did just that,” Veal said. “To graduate high school with a 3.8 GPA and graduate from college with a 3.9 GPA, I can say I did the work.”
Veal’s says his motivation extended beyond personal achievement. He says he wanted to serve as a role model for his younger brothers and other young Black men, demonstrating that hard work in school can lead to significant opportunities.
Miller says she is focusing on setting an example for her family members.
“With my academic life, I just have amazing people to look up to, and I want to make sure that I’m setting that amazing example for my little sister,” she said.
Miller says the scholarship helped her feel financially secure and she says the scholarship has alleviated those worries.
“It’s great to know that I don’t have to worry about not only me having to graduate college with any type of debt, but also my family as well. Just to know that burden is off of our shoulders,” Miller remarked.
Veal and Miller say applying for the scholarship took grit and determination. Their academic achievements have opened doors to promising futures in healthcare.
Miller plans to attend Kennesaw State University, where she will pursue a degree in nursing. Veal will enroll at Clark Atlanta University with aspirations of continuing to medical school afterward.
