PHOTOS: Meet the Gale Scholars Class of 2029

Twelve members of the George Washington Gale Scholars Class of 2029 were inducted Tuesday, May 6, during a ceremony held in the Galesburg High School Little Theater.
Twelve members of the George Washington Gale Scholars Class of 2029 were inducted Tuesday, May 6, during a ceremony held in the Galesburg High School Little Theater. (Photo courtesy Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College)

Twelve members of the George Washington Gale Scholars Class of 2029 were inducted Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during a ceremony in the Galesburg Jr./Sr. High School Little Theater.

Inductees included: Mackenzie Allbright, Darcy Anderson, Isaac Banda, Valeria Chavez, Eriana Dorsey, Ja’Nyah Ferguson, Serenitee Hanley, Amelia Gonzalez, Kameron Kaminski, Thirtsa Mpindi, Sofie Smith, and Ace Stanley.

The Gale Scholars program, established in 1996, is a partnership between Knox College, Carl Sandburg College and Galesburg CUSD 205. Students take classes determined by college entrance requirements and must maintain a 2.5 minimum grade point average. Additionally, they are required to participate in at least two school-sponsored activities each year.

After successfully completing the program in high school, students receive tuition-waiver scholarships for completing associate and bachelor’s degree programs at Carl Sandburg College and Knox College.

Gale Scholars Director Steve Cheesman said the 12 new members went through a rigorous process in their journey in being selected to the program, adding, “The Gale Scholars program offers a life-changing opportunity and experience for all of our students.”

“It is an honor and privilege to announce the Gale Scholars Class of 2029,” Cheesman said. “These students are an impressive group academically, but more importantly, they are impressive human beings.”

The cumulative GPA of the 12 students is 3.64.