CHARLOTTE AND CRYSTALL AT PODIUM
For the past 3 years, the Gateway Women’s Club has awarded a $2,500 scholarship to a female student at Gateway High School. This past year, the Women’s Club was able to award two $2,500 scholarships due to robust fundraising efforts. The scholarship program was initiated three years ago as a way to support young women in Gateway.
The scholarship program is open to all female applicants who reside in Lee County and are students at Gateway High School for both junior and senior years and are U.S. citizens. The applicants must be accepted for enrollment as a full-time student in an accredited college, university, vocational, technical or trade school, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Additionally, applicants must write a 500-750 word essay on select topics, include one reference letter from a teacher and a second letter from a non-related community member.
Members were also pleased to meet the winner of the 2026 Gateway Women’s Club Scholarship, Crystall Triguero-Casanola. As a student at Gateway High School, Crystall demonstrated a consistent record of outstanding dedication and drive throughout her high school career. Her academic achievements are exceptional.
An original essay is required of all scholarship applicants. In her essay, Crystall said, “Since I was 6, I was asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. I loved this question because I always had an answer. My answer hasn’t changed for 12 years. I aspire to pursue a career in medicine, and eventually establish and lead my own practice. To me, medicine means lifelong learning for others to entrust you with their lives. While science and technology continue to advance and change, physicians need to adapt while keeping one thing constant: personability and humility. I am drawn to this path not only because of my interest in human sciences, but also because it allows me to combine my compassion with leadership. “
“My leadership and initiative in DECA built a foundation of entrepreneurship and business administration. I developed a passion for leading a team while simultaneously aiding my knowledge by competing in business environments. These competitions taught me entrepreneurial thinking, planning, financial literacy, and most importantly effective communication. I quickly adopted these skills which led me to competing at the international level and meeting students from the whole world. DECA has taught me to identify problems, find the best solution, and work under pressure. All skills that are essential both in medicine and life in general.”
The Gateway Women’s Club Scholarship Committee had to choose only two scholarship winners from all the applications received. Olivia Mason (highlighted in Lifestyles last month) and Crystall Triguero-Casanola are outstanding scholarship recipients.
All members of the Women’s Club congratulate Olivia and Crystall and wish them continued success in their educational programs.
