Tinian’s Hocog named Gates Millennium Scholar

Tinian High School student Mary Hocog was selected among the Gates Millennium Scholars for next school year after demonstrating excellence in her studies.

As a Gates Millennium Scholar, Hocog is entitled to attend any U.S. located, accredited college or university of her choice. This is a renewable scholarship based on the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program guidelines. The documents she will submit throughout her undergraduate career will guide GMS’ review and determination of a new scholarship amount for each year she is eligible.

Hocog expressed her excitement and elation on her selection to the prestigious scholarship program. She plans to attend the University of Guam for a year and then transfer to the mainland.

“When I received notification that I got the scholarship, I was thrilled, surprised, overwhelmed with joy, and relieved! The Gates Millennium Scholarship was the only scholarship I applied for and I’m so grateful that I got it. I knew it was really risky to apply for only one scholarship, but I was willing to take the risk. I honestly thought that I wasn’t going to get it so I applied to only one school that I could afford, UOG. Now I can apply to other schools and transfer after a year at Guam. I’m ecstatic! I was so worried about finances for school, but all the worries are gone now,” she told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

In addition, if Hocog pursues graduate studies in the fields of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science, she may also be eligible for GMS fellowship funding for her education through the master’s and doctoral levels.

According to Joo Young Lee, director of GMS Program in Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, Hocog’s accomplishments were notable and which were used in determining her selection to the program.

“Congratulations! We are very pleased to inform you of your selection as one of the 1,000 Gates Millennium Scholars for the GMS Class of 2012. We commend you on your strong leadership, community service and academic achievements that contributed to your selection as a Gates Millennium Scholar. Your accomplishment is especially notable in context of the more than 24,000 students who applied, making this year’s the largest and most competitive group of candidates in the program’s history. We are very excited for you to join the community of Gates Scholars and we are very pleased to confer this distinct honor that distinguishes you as a Leader for America’s Future,” Lee told Hocog in a letter.

Hocog is a senior student and currently serves as the NMI Students’ Representative to the State Board of Education and an active member of various school groups and organizations. She is the daughter of Ann Marie Hocog and Gerald Crisostomo. She is a consistent honor student and has attended numerous programs and activities.