Meet Antoinette Ellis, a Gates Scholar from Philly: ‘I know who I am and where I want to be’

The Gates Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the country. More than 53,000 students apply, but only 1% will get the scholarship. The scholarship is given annually through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Parkway Assistant Principal Allen Wing said he is proud of Ellis’s accomplishment.

“I got emotional when I heard the news about Antoinette,” Wing said. “I’ve been in education for 19 years. You come across these students that have such amazing talent, but they often don’t get the recognition they deserve or the money they deserve for college.

“Antoinette broke the mold, she made it,” he said. “I’m proud of her; we’re all just so proud of her. We know that she will continue to put in the work and accomplish her dreams.”

Ellis, 18, has applied to nearly 20 colleges and universities including Villanova, the University of Michigan, Duquesne, the University of Pennsylvania, Emory, Tuskegee and North Carolina Central University. She is slated to announce her college decision at a later date.

“I mostly applied to schools that were direct entry or they had nursing stats of 95% or higher on their NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) rate,” Ellis said.

She plans to major in nursing and wants to help change health policies that impact people in lower socioeconomic status.

“The plan is to go to school for nursing for four years and then get some ground running on the floor as a RN,” Ellis said. “I eventually want to become a nurse practitioner so I’ll go back to school for that.

“I want to have the autonomy to practice like a doctor in certain states,” she said. “I would also like to get a doctorate in public health to deal with the policies that impact those of us who are in lower socioeconomic status.”

Hard work, dedication

A North Philadelphia native, Ellis attended St. Martin de Porres Catholic School and the City School before attending Parkway. She is graduating at the top of her class with a 4.39 GPA and is her school’s valedictorian.

“Parkway is such an amazing school,” Ellis said. “We have amazing counselors and administrative staff who have been so helpful and supportive during my time here.

“I don’t think I would have been able to do a lot of the things that I’ve done if I didn’t go to school at Parkway,” she said. “This school will forever be a part of my family.”

Outside of school, Ellis has participated in Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Aspire Program at the University of Pennsylvania, which is designed for high school juniors interested in pursuing a career in nursing.

She’s participated in the Fire Explorers, a program for teens and young adults interested in fire science, emergency medical services, disaster relief, emergency management and military-related training.

Last year, she won second place in the Thomas and Woods MLK Day speech contest. In the speech, which was titled “Love Your Enemies,” Ellis talked about young people dying at the hands of other youth.

She also worked as an intern in the office of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.

“We created a series to educate the public on the government, how to register to vote and why voting is so important,” Ellis said about her time as an intern.

As she looks back at her high school journey, Ellis said she’s proud of the person she has become.

“When I first came to Parkway, I was an emotional wreck,” Ellis said. “Over the years, I’ve become very calm and emotionally mature. I am more of a problem solver now and realize that certain battles aren’t worth taking on or fighting.

“I know who I am and where I want to be,” she said. “If that means not hanging out with the same people I used to to go further in life, then that’s what I have to do.”

The young scholar said the advice she would give fellow students is to “be more graceful.”

“Have grace for yourself,” Ellis said. “It’s okay to take a moment to yourself and reflect. If you’re not where you want to be don’t worry and stress yourself out.”