Ariadne Garcia Contreras, a 2015 honor graduate of Patrick Henry High School, is the recipient of the annual C.M. Gillis Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was presented to Ari at the Foundation for Roanoke Valley Annual Scholarship Dinner held earlier this year.
Ari is a first generation prospective college student who has used challenges in her life as an impetus to move forward. Her persistence and drive have enabled her to excel academically while enrolled in many Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes. She credited her challenging classes with helping her to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. She also stated that her broad interest and talents have allowed her to be successful in the arts, languages, math, and science. Her honors and awards include AP Scholars Award, Certificates of Achievements in French, Latin, Art, and Computer Applications, as well as Art exhibits at Grandin Gardens and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Ari was also involved in many extracurricular activities; National Honor Society, PH Players Theater, and president of the French Club along with her involvement in the community. Such activities include: volunteering at the Rescue Mission, Hands Producing Hope Organization, and in her church nursery, Youth Group, and as a member of the Missions Committee. Her teachers described her as a self-disciplined, driven, dedicated, creative, and determined student with a strong work ethic. Ari states that having two jobs while attending school full time has taught her how to prioritize and complete every assignment in and out of school. She plans to enter college in the fall and to purse a degree in International Studies.
The Clarence M. Gillis Memorial Fund provides higher education scholarships to William Fleming and Patrick Henry High School students who exhibit academic excellence, leadership qualities and good citizenship. The fund was established to memorialize Mr. C.M. Gillis, a lifelong educator, who was a principal and director of Federal Programs in the Roanoke City Public schools.
