Gates Millenium Scholar meets her benefactor

Shareesa Bollers often seeks out her teachers after class, eager to soak up just a little bit more knowledge. She runs track, gives tours of her school, helps select its new teachers, and is a playwright and actress.

"She is one of the most voracious and tenacious learners that we have. She is dogged in her pursuit of understanding," said Diana Laufenberg, a social studies teacher at Science Leadership Academy (SLA) and Bollers' student adviser.

"She's just a cool kid," said Christopher Lehmann, the Center City magnet school's principal.

It seems fitting that Bollers, 17, a native of Guyana who came to the United States four years ago for better educational opportunities, got to meet Bill Gates yesterday.

Earlier this month, the high school senior was named a Gates Millennium Scholar. The national prize - "it's sort of the gold standard," Lehmann said - picks up most of the tab for the aspiring teacher's college bill, and gives her leadership opportunities throughout her time in school. It could even fund degrees beyond her bachelor's.

So Bollers was pretty excited to be one of the first people to shake Gates' hand when he arrived at SLA to answer students' questions, she said.

"Bill Gates," she said in disbelief before her benefactor arrived. "I hope I remember my name. I hope I remember to call him Mr. Gates."

She did just fine, graciously thanking him for the scholarship.

"You're very welcome," Gates said. "Where are you going?"

"Bard College," Bollers said of the liberal arts college in New York state.

"Cool," Gates replied.

Bollers always knew her family would move to the United States someday - education was stressed in the family, and opportunities in Guyana were limited. The family spent more than a decade saving money and getting the necessary paperwork to come to Philadelphia, where a relative had settled.

After arriving in the United States, Bollers spent just 25 days as an eighth grader at the C.W. Henry School in West Mount Airy. It was just long enough to wow her teachers, who saw she was so advanced at math that she tutored other students.

One teacher helped her gain admission to SLA, a well-regarded magnet that operates in partnership with the Philadelphia School District and the Franklin Institute. The school has won national recognition for innovation, and Bollers is part of its inaugural class.

She has earned A's in nearly every class she's taken at SLA.

"It was the best transition I could have ever asked for," said Bollers, an energetic, confident young woman with an oval face and hair in tiny braids. "I've just had an amazing time, making great connections with teachers and students. It's been a really, really good experience."

Bollers is the fifth of nine children, three of whom are putting themselves through college. Her mother is also in college, studying to become a nurse.

She originally planned to become a doctor, but Bollers' time at SLA convinced her that teaching is the right career path for her.

Bollers is not the city's only Gates Millennium Scholar. Natasha Abellard from the High School of Creative and Performing Arts, Elizabeth Massele from Masterman, Xavier Brown from Robeson High, and Sheneese Thompson from the Math, Civics and Sciences Charter School also won the prize, given to 1,000 students nationally.

Maiki Paul of the Agnes Irwin School on the Main Line also won.