UMKC group awards seven for 2017
Kansas City native Camila Aponte, a spring 2017 Blue Valley West High School graduate, has been named a University of Missouri-Kansas City Trustees’ Scholar.
When Aponte enters the pre-medical program at UMKC in the fall, she will receive a scholarship valued at $60,000 over four years. Her award is supported by the UMKC Board of Trustees, the founder of the scholarship program.
Aponte, who graduated in the top five percent of her class, was a member of the LEO community service club, Blue Valley West dance team, pre-medical seekers club, swim team and the Diversity Leadership Council.
As a dedicated community member, Aponte has volunteered with Prairie Elder Care, Harmony Early Childhood Center, Villa St. Francis and Silver Crest Deer Creek, where she participated in interactive activities with senior citizen residents. She also worked as a hostess at local restaurant Mi Ranchito and received the Blue Valley West Art Department’s Excellence in Art award.
In the essay submitted to the Trustees’ Scholars selection committee, Aponte wrote about how she envisioned her dream of attending UMKC would conclude.
“At such a young age, I had the crazy notion I would somehow combine my passion for medicine, culture and travel into one career. Was it a bit unusual? Maybe, but I was determined. I wanted strong academic programs that would prepare me for medical school, opportunities to study abroad, and the comfort of my family being a short drive away.” Aponte dreams of being a doctor and collaborating with researchers to discover breakthroughs in regenerative science.
The Trustees Scholarship provides educational fees and on-campus room and board for the first two years. In the third and fourth years, the package provides educational fees and $2,000 for room and board. Each Trustees’ Scholar also receives $500 toward books each year.
To qualify as Trustees’ Scholars, students must meet at least two of the following three criteria: score a minimum ACT Composite of 30, rank in the top five percent of the graduating class, or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or more in a 17-class core curriculum. Trustees’ Scholars must enroll full time, be seeking an undergraduate degree and commit to living on campus for the first two years.
The UMKC Trustees’ Scholars Program is unique in that it aligns students closely with corporate sponsors, who give students access to their professional knowledge and experience, insight into the inner workings of the company or institution they represent, and a strong mentor relationship throughout the college experience. Students have opportunities to network and find internships or jobs through the Trustees and their connections in the community.