Columbia High Student Named Gates Millennium Scholar

Columbia High senior Byron Keith Robins, Jr. won an award that will pay the entire cost of his college education, including graduate school. 

Robins is one of two Richland One students who were named 2012 Gates Millennium Scholars. Latisha Robinson of A.C. Flora High School also won the award. 

The program, funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, sends outstanding minority students with significant financial need to college. 

Applicants must have a 3.3 GPA or higher, demonstrate leadership abilities and participate in extra-curricular community service activities. 

Robins has not decided which college he will attend. Robinson said she will attend the College of Charleston and major in marine biology. 

“We are extremely proud of Byron and Latisha,” Richland One Superintendent Percy Mack said. “Richland One provided them with the foundation to excel academically. Their hard work and dedication to excellence will serve them well in the future.”

The foundation awards scholarships to 1,000 students nationwide each year. More than 24,000 students applied this year, making it the largest and most competitive group in the program's history. 

Two other Richland One students have received the award in the last four years: Eau Claire High School graduates Hakeem Hicks (class of 2011) and Theta Brown (class of 2009).