Pezzuto receives Gates Scholarship
Published 10:12 am Wednesday, May 4, 2011
WINDSOR—Some might say Amanda Pezzuto’s academic career has been out of this world.
Windsor High School senior Amanda Pezzuto was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship. She plans to attend Virginia Tech and one day wants to work at NASA. -- GWEN ALBERS | TIDEWATER NEWS
The Windsor High School senior hopes to one day be an engineer for NASA.
To help with this goal, Pezzuto has received a Gates Millennium Scholarship. More than 23,000 apply annually for the scholarship; 1,000 are granted. Scholarships cover the recipients’ entire education after high school.
“I was relieved,” Pezzuto said. “I was trying really hard to go to college in an affordable way, and I’m glad to find a way to do that without a huge bill at the end.”
She plans to take her interest in math and science to Virginia Tech to study chemical engineering and eventually work with the space program.
“I was hoping to work for life support systems and radiation shielding to help make space travel more safe for astronauts,” Pezzuto said.
The daughter of Robert Pezzuto and Jackie Griswold said she found out about the award when she came home from a spring break vacation to Washington, D.C.
Students were chosen for the scholarship based on leadership, community service and academic achievement.
Amanda has been a WHS cheerleader, student liaison to the school board and a member of Beta Club.
“Amanda is an exceptional student,” said Michael Newman, principal of Windsor High School. “She is active at school and in the community and exhibits excellence in academics.”
The scholarship program also offers academic services, graduate education planning, a mentoring program and online resource center with information about internships, fellowships and other scholarships.
