COLLEGE POINT — In volunteering for The Bridge to Life pro-life organization throughout high school, Rihanna Bonilla sorted baby clothes that went to new mothers, wrote encouraging notes to expectant mothers, held a baby bottle drive, and helped the organization accomplish its annual gala.
Those experiences, along with others at the organization, formed the basis of an essay she wrote applying for a Gates Foundation college scholarship. After a two-year application process, Rihanna learned in April that she was one of 300 students nationwide awarded a Gates Foundation Scholarship, selected from more than 70,000 applicants.
“It honestly was one of the highlights of my high school career, and it inspired me to become a better person,” Rihanna said of dedicating one of her four application essays to her time volunteering with The Bridge to Life.
Rihanna, who graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria in June, is headed to Columbia University, where the Gates Foundation — founded by Bill and Melinda French Gates in 2000 — will cover a portion of her costs to attend.
While at St. John’s Prep, Rihanna was a member of the Junior Ladies of Charity, who often volunteered at The Bridge to Life, especially helping expectant mothers.
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“I am thrilled beyond words to see Rihanna win such a prestigious scholarship. She worked hard,” said The Bridge to Life Executive Director Francesca Yellico. “I felt super proud of her from the first moment I met her. I could tell right away she was going to be one of our best volunteers because of her heart and her dedication to the mission.”
Yellico called Rihanna an example of “the next generation of life ambassadors,” who will be helping mothers who choose life for their babies over abortion. “We are handing the torch to young people like her. She will take the torch and run with it,” she added.
Eyeing a career in medical research, Rihanna said she plans to major in chemical engineering at Columbia University. According to the Gates Foundation website, the scholarship is meant for students from low-income families, and the criteria include U.S. citizenship, a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.3 out of 4.0, participation in community service projects, and letters of recommendation from educators and community leaders. Applicants go through several rounds of judging.
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“I remember getting the email (that I was chosen) and reading it and saying to myself, ‘Oh my God! I can’t believe I actually won it!’ ” Rihanna recalled. “I vividly remember telling my parents when I applied that I didn’t think I would win.”
The scholarship has no set amount, and the funds distributed vary from student to student depending on the need, the foundation’s website said. Rihanna had already been offered a full scholarship from Columbia University, so she plans to use the Gates funding to pay additional expenses. According to Columbia University’s website, it can cost up to $99,000 a year to attend the university.
Rihanna said she still plans to volunteer at The Bridge to Life in college.
“Having the opportunity to see the great work they do and how much of a difference they have made in people’s lives, made me realize that this is the kind of thing I want to continue doing,” she said.