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Lava Bear Earns Prestigious Full Ride Scholarship Bend high senior to attend duke university in the fall

On Dec. 1, Sinai Godino-Gomez, a senior at Bend Senior High School, got news that will undoubtedly change her life: Sinai earned a full ride to Duke University, which will cover the costs of tuition, room and board, about $80,000 a year, as part of a prestigious Questbridge scholarship program.

Sinai waited to read the email with the news until she could be alongside her mom, who Sinai calls her best friend.

“I took a deep breath before I clicked on the email and just thought, if this is for me, great, if not that’s OK.” When she saw the word congratulations, Sinai and her mom cried and hugged, knowing the huge impact this news would have on all of their lives.

“My mom was saying, ‘See, I told you that you could do it! You deserve this!’”

The QuestBridge program connects academically exceptional students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education that cover 100% of the cost for students to attend. The application process is rigorous and selective, with just 1,600 students across the nation qualifying for the match scholarship.

Sinai, the youngest of three sisters, loves learning, academics and school. Sinai blossomed in Bend High’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program, where she loves studying psychology, math and world religions. She is interested in joining the medical field, possibly as a physician assistant.

Sinai, who is the first in her family to attend college, is proud to have earned this scholarship and hopes she can be an inspiration for other students, especially Hispanic females. She says she has had to struggle against stereotypes, and some assumptions that she wouldn’t do well in school because of her background. With this scholarship, a stellar GPA and bright future, Sinai has more than proven herself to be a powerhouse in the classroom and a leader.

“This makes my family feel so proud. My mom is an immigrant and a single mom, I feel like I’m fulfilling a legacy,” said Sinai. “I hope I inspire everyone that, no matter where you come from, you can get to where you want to be.”

She says adult mentors from her school and outside organizations encouraged her to dream big. Sinai always planned to go to college, but says the support she received encouraged her to apply for the Questbridge scholarship and set her sights at schools she had thought out of reach.

Sinai ended her college application with this note: I’m a determined, independent, emotionally supportive Chicana who keeps on working for something more. I’ll gain an education that will allow me to raise up others. I can’t wait to start college.

On behalf of all of us at Bend-La Pine Schools: Congratulations Sinai!