Student gets Comcast scholarship

STAFF WRITER

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Portales High School senior Cory Gutierrez was one of 26 students to receive a scholarship from the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program.

A press release from Comcast says the program provides scholarships to students who strive to reach their potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, involved in their schools and who serve as models for students.

Portales High School Guidance Counselor Thomas Tafoya nominated Gutierrez for the scholarship and has great things to say about his character and work ethic.

“Cory is a unique young man,” Tafoya said. “He comes from a large family and ever since he started here, he’s been a terrific student. So, when he got to be a senior, Principal (Melvin) Nusser and I talked and we couldn’t think of a better student to nominate for the scholarship.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, Gutierrez had to write a short essay.

Gutierrez received $1,000 from the program towards his college education, which he is still pondering at this time, but he does know what he wants to do.

“Right now I’m deciding between New Mexico Tech and New Mexico State University,” he said. “I’m just waiting until I find out about my financial aid package. I want to study engineering and become an entrepreneur and start my own business.”

Gutierrez already has a jump on is college career with 18 college credits to his name through dual credit classes at Portales high.

“He’s always been driven and now he has the opportunity to get a scholarship and get a great education,” Tafoya said. “He’s probably the first to go to college and definitely the first one to graduate college in his immediate family.”