Angelica Gutierrez says her spanish teacher encouraged her to apply for something called the Gates Millennium Scholars. It's an elite scholarship given to minority students who are exceptional human beings in their community. Students who are chosen get a full ride to the college of your choice, and grad school. Only 1,000 seniors across the country were selected.

"My Spanish teacher always told us that as Mexican's, we can go forth and do anything we put our mind to, and he said it was half a million dollars, so i was like, woah- i should probably get to it," says Angelica Gutierrez.

"She worked so hard through high school..4.0 gp, a member of band choir.. also holds down a part time job," says Chrysta Wong-Sierra

Gutierrez says she doesn't have a particular career in mind yet, but says she plans to major in political science.