Gilroy
– Megan Litle’s college costs just got $1,000 less expensive
thanks to her placing third at the 2007 Achievement Awards in San
Jose.
Gilroy – Megan Litle’s college costs just got $1,000 less expensive thanks to her placing third at the 2007 Achievement Awards in San Jose.
The Gilroy High School senior was recognized Tuesday for her leadership and stellar academics in the category of math and science. She was chosen from 32 students attending a ceremony to receive one of the 12 awards and from more than 15,000 initial applicants.
“It was just nice to have somebody recognize all the work you put in,” said Litle.
Extra-curricular involvement was a key component of the award. Litle has been a volunteer for organizations that raise money to support cancer research and care, participating in Race for a Cure for nearly a decade and Relay for Life for the past three years.
The miles accumulated at these events are no sweat, as she is the captain of the track team this year and was the captain of the cross-country team for the past two years.
This cross-country team – which went to the league championship meet in 2006 – was recognized for being the team with the highest grade point average out of all fall sports. Litle led the way with a weighted 4.67 GPA – tops in the senior class – and a course load that included four Advanced Placement classes.
“If you look at her record for science and math, it’s impeccable,” said Rudy Puente, academic coordinator at the high school, who nominated her for the award. “It’s the best I’ve ever seen”
Litle is the first student to make it to the finals or to win an award in the three years since Puente has come to the high school.
The contest, sponsored by Bank of America, doled out 120 awards across the nation and $280,000 to high school students nationwide. Contestants, in addition to submitting grade information, were required to write an essay.
In keeping with the education-oriented attitude she was rewarded for, college-bound Litle has already decided where she will spend her share of the prize money.
“I’m going to (the University of Southern California) next year, so I’ll put it toward that.”
