Daviyah Anthony is BRYC's sixth Gates Scholar

Congratulations are in order for Daviyah Anthony (Scotlandville), one of only 750 2025 Gates Scholars from a nationwide pool of over 50,000. This means she can attend her college of choice, Xavier University, completely debt free. What’s more, she’ll join an exclusive network of high-achieving scholars receiving lifelong support and opportunities.

Daviyah is a member of the pilot in-school college counseling cohort at Scotlandville Magnet High School. For the past year, she’s participated in a credit-bearing postsecondary prep course led by BRYC Counselor Tavidee Hoskins. Tavidee walked Daviyah through every step of the year-long Gates application process, including guiding her through Gates’ very specific financial aid requirements, coaching her on essay writing, and preparing her for the final interview.

Daviayah will be the first in her family to attend college. In a text message, Daviyah’s mother shared words of appreciation with BRYC’s executive director Lucas Spielfogel: “Thank you, Mr. Lucas, and the entire BRYC staff, for your unwavering dedication and support. You promised that all Fellows would have what they needed to succeed — and you delivered. Your commitment has made a lasting impact, and I’m deeply grateful.”

In 2024–2025, the in-school pilot program was presented at Scotlandville and four other high schools across East Baton Rouge Parish, serving 65 high school seniors. “BRYC has provided invaluable services beyond our staff’s capacity,” shared Scotlandville’s assistant principal Tomara S. Espinoza earlier this year.

The Gates Scholarship is a nationwide competitive scholarship program established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for outstanding minority students from lower-income backgrounds. Recipients receive funding to fulfill all unmet financial need. Daviyah’s accomplishment marks the second consecutive year and sixth time overall that a BRYC Fellow has received the Gates Scholarship, one of many wins our Class of 2025 is celebrating