EDER CRUZ-ALVARADO
Leo High School congratulates EDER CRUZ-ALVARADO, a graduating senior who has been awarded a scholarship to the college of his choice through the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. The scholarship is funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is designed to “create leaders for America's future.”
Eder, 18, is one of 1,000 Gates Millennium scholars chosen nationwide, from a pool of more than 25,000 applicants. Thirty-one recipients are from Illinois. Leo is the only Chicago Catholic League school to have a Gates Scholar this year.
The award is based on academic achievement, leadership potential and community service. It covers undergraduate tuition and all fees and is renewable through graduate school if the recipient pursues studies in any number of science, health or education-related fields.
“This is a wonderful honor for Eder, who is most deserving,” said Mrs. Aurora Latifi, chairwoman of the math department at Leo and moderator of the National Honor Society, who nominated Eder. “He is one of the finest young men we have at Leo.”
Eder is the first Gates Millennium Scholar to be chosen from Leo. He carries a 4.18 grade-point average in the Honors Program and ranks third in his class. In addition to his membership in the National Honor Society, Eder serves as president of the student council and is a member of the chess team. He has been a member of the boxing team and ran track while at Leo. He also works part-time as a retail clerk in a department store.
“Eder is a wonderful young man,” said Mr. Philip Mesina, Leo's principal. “We couldn't be more proud of him for this great achievement.”
Eder is planning to study mechanical engineering at Valparaiso University. A graduate of St. Gall grammar school, he is the son of Marie Alvarado of the Gage Park neighborhood.