"Gateway Student at Humanities High School Wins New York Times Scholarship"
By Patty Rout, Executive Administrator, Gateway Institute
February 23, 2005

Hai Xi Li, a senior at Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities, is the recipient of a $30,000 scholarship from The New York Times College Scholarship Program. Three other Gateway students, Grace Alli from Queens Gateway and Ivrose Joseph and Allan Robles from Science Skills Center High Schools were among 154 semifinalists selected from the nearly 1,200 eligible applicants. To be considered, all candidates must have demonstrated academic achievement, community service and a commitment to learning, especially in the face of financial and other obstacles.

Hai Xi Li is a worthy recipient of this honor. Four years ago she could not speak English. Today she has been accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where her ultimate goal is to earn an MD/PhD degree. She has already started on this path, spending summers at the American Museum of Natural History studying the fishes of Gabon and doing independent research at Cooper Union on trans-fatty acids. She possesses a mix of talent, determination and optimism that has enabled her not only to overcome considerable obstacles, but also to thrive. According to Adrienne Rubin, Gateway Coordinator at Humanities High School, Hai Xi is one of the “ the sweetest, most humble and extraordinary students I have ever seen. She has emerged as a student leader, a tremendous scholar and a leader of tomorrow.”

Since 1999, the scholarship program has financed the dreams of 100 students, sending them to many of the nation's most competitive colleges. The goal, said Arthur Gelb, director of the scholarship program, is to help students who have already gone a long way in helping themselves. "These are kids who have learned early that life is often hard, not easy," he said. "They've demonstrated great academic success in the face of difficult obstacles and they're determined to create happy successful lives."

It is extraordinary that out of 1,200 contestants, four Gateway students qualified as semifinalists in this very competitive event, and that one became a finalist. Congratulations to all of them and special kudos to Hai Xi and Adrienne Rubin.