[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E362-E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING JAYLYNNE CALDERON-MONTERROSO, RECIPIENT OF THE GATES 
                              SCHOLARSHIP

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. HILLARY J. SCHOLTEN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2024

  Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible 
work of Jaylynne Calderon-Monterroso from Michigan's Third 
Congressional District. Jaylynne, a senior at Grand Rapids University 
Preparatory Academy, is one of 750 high school students from across the 
country to receive the prestigious Gates Scholarship, which fully 
covers all educational expenses throughout recipients' undergraduate 
careers. This highly selective scholarship is awarded to minority 
students from low-income households, with 48 states being represented 
in this year's cohort.
  Graduating with a 4.35 grade point average, Jaylynne has been a 
shining example of academic and merit based excellence for her West 
Michigan friends and colleagues. Along with being valedictorian and 
president of the senior executive board for University Preparatory 
Academy, she has also served on the Mayor's Youth Council and is a 
member of the National Honor Society.
  When asked about Jaylynne, Principal Kenyatta Hill-Hall said, ``I 
know that she's impacted our community and the Grand Rapids community, 
but I'm telling people they need to watch out, because this girl is 
going to impact

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this world''. And impact the world, she will. Jaylynne has been a 
fearless leader and advocate for her fellow students, initiating the 
creation of a mental health room at her high school that allows 
students and faculty to have a safe space to de-stress from school.
  On behalf of myself and our proud West Michigan community, I applaud 
Jaylynne for her hard work and cheer her on as she embarks on her 
college career at the University of Notre Dame, studying pre-law and 
economics as a first-generation college student. There is no doubt that 
her future is bright and that she will go on to become an influential 
changemaker, making West Michigan proud.

                          ____________________