Full Scholarship Within Reach for Some Amundsen Students

Seven Amundsen High School students have a chance to earn a full ride to college through the Posse Foundation.

The foundation issues scholarships and puts students in teams of 10 to attend a university together.

“They idea behind it is if the students have a posse, they’re more likely to stay in college and support each other,” Amundsen guidance counselor Morgan Kelley said.

The program has helped more than 4,000 seniors and its graduation rate is above 90 percent.

Kelley, who’s been a counselor at the school for the last five years, said at least three seniors from Amundsen earn the scholarship each year.

Teachers fill out nomination forms and after earning acceptance from their school of choice, the students start practicing interview skills.

The seniors go through several rounds, with their last interview in early December.

“I was told to just be myself,” Charlye Tapia said. The senior found out about the scholarship opportunity from an Amundsen student who graduated last year.

His mentor’s advice was to stay true to his own personality. If selected for the scholarship, Tapia said he’ll attend DePauw University in Indiana for a business degree.

Congratulations to all of the Posse Scholarship finalists and best of luck:

• Ngan Le
• Karen Dizon
• Georgina Espinoza
• Joseph Hamor
• Gabriela Pappa
• Ali Ansari
• Charlye Tapia