Kudos to Mr. G

I want to take this opportunity to recognize a high school teacher from Kagman High School who I feel deserves to be recognized. His name is Gerard van Gils or Mr. G by his students and he teaches College Prep. He is also the one who started the Million Dollar Scholar Club in KHS. With his help and hard work and the backing of the PSS leadership, 21 of the seniors are going off to college mostly stateside with very little financial burden from the parents.

For the past two years, while still in 11th grade, Mr. G. molded them, taught them, encouraged them and helped them to prepare for college and instilled in them the advantages of being a college graduate. Along with the students, he helped them apply to universities in the U.S. and more importantly, he helped them apply for many scholarships available to our students. The results were eight of the kids became finalists for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, and four were awarded with the Asia/Pacific Scholarship besides the other financial assistance available to them. Most of the students were accepted and are going to different universities in the U.S. such as Dixie University, Utah State, Washington State, and Eastern Oregon University

With the funds raised and continue to be raised by him and the students, the students airline ticket are going to be paid off plus their expenses during the trip all the way to their respective university of choice.

I am proud to say that I’m one of the parents of a Million Dollar Scholar student and my daughter will be going to college in the states with her best friends and together, they will face the challenges of being away from family and attend college in the U.S. I congratulate the finalists of the Gates Millennium Scholarship and the Asia/Pacific Scholarship and all the Million Dollar Scholar students and encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity and make your parents proud. Finish your higher education and come back and contribute to our community.

Again, I want to thank Mr. G, besides being a teacher, he dedicates a lot of his time and energy in encouraging our kids to better themselves. He really cares for them and their future. Sending our kids to college is very difficult for some us. Believe me I know. With this help, many of us are somewhat relieved in supporting our kids while they attend college. I also want to thank his wife and kids for their understanding and thanks to all the individuals who have contributed to this Club. Good Luck to our 2016 Million Dollar Scholars!

Michael H. San Nicolas
Kagman High School parent