The Gaston County Board of Education meeting on December 16, 2024, celebrated the achievements of three outstanding students from the class of 2025 who received prestigious QuestBridge scholarships. These scholarships provide full college funding to students matched with top universities across the United States, highlighting the academic excellence within Gaston County Schools.

The recipients, Ayanna, Julian, and Joshua, were recognized for their remarkable accomplishments. Ayanna will attend Amherst College, Julian has been matched with the University of Notre Dame, and Joshua will study at Boston University. Their selection is particularly noteworthy, as they are among only 2,627 high school seniors nationwide who earned this scholarship from a competitive pool of over 25,000 applicants.

During the meeting, board members expressed immense pride in the students' achievements, emphasizing the significance of having three QuestBridge scholars from the same county in North Carolina. The students shared their excitement about receiving the scholarships, describing the moment as exhilarating and shocking.

The board encouraged the students to return next year to share their experiences as they begin their college journeys. The meeting concluded with a photo session to commemorate the occasion, celebrating not only the students' success but also the support from their families and the school community.