Three brand new Jets were recognized in the Wichita Business Journal (WBJ) as 2018 Young Achievers due to their high level of involvement in and outside of their high school classroom.
Two honorees, Shayla To and Gabrielle Altenor, are recipients of the prestigious Newman University Cardinal Newman Scholarship. Shanice Gitungo, who received a Newman University ASC Community Leader Scholarship and instrumental music scholarship, was also recognized as a Young Achiever.
All three women will attend Newman in the fall to begin their freshman year. All three plan to major in biology, pre-med.
To attended Campus High School and plans to apply to medical school after graduation from Newman. She was excited to be featured in the WBJ.
“I got an email in late April about it. I was super surprised but I was really really excited to have been chosen,” she said.
To has accomplished a lot in her high school career and has been involved in many organizations including City Council, National Honor Society and student athletic training.
Newman is a good fit for To because it offers great programs of study, is close to home and can offer her many opportunities not found at larger schools, she said. She’s already anxious to find organizations she can get involved in on campus.
Altenor attended Kapaun Mt. Caramel High School. She was deciding between Notre Dame and Newman University but ultimately chose Newman due to the relationships she’d already built, the familiarity of the area and the prestigious scholarship she received.
Her involvement in multiple organizations is what she believed helped her stand out for the WBJ recognition.
“I think the WBJ loved that all the students were kind of involved in everything they could be and that they were making a difference in their communities. I think that’s what they were trying to showcase — just that we did a little extra.”
Joining clubs and activities outside the classroom kept Altenor busy throughout high school. At Newman, she’s most excited to meet new people.
Gitungo was not available for an interview but has recently said she is excited to attend Newman and looks forward to meeting new friends.
