Windsor High School senior Maurica Bynum has been selected as a 2012 Gates Millennium Scholar, making this the second consecutive year a Windsor High School student has earned the honor.

The Gates Millennium Scholarship program administered by the National Negro College Fund was established in 1999 and was initially funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The program provides winners with funds to attend any U.S. college or university through graduate school. This year, 1,000 students were selected from 24,000 applicants.

Maurica was selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar because of her academic achievements, strong leadership skills and community service. She maintains a 4.017 grade point average at Windsor High School while staying involved in activities and community service. She was presented with the William and Mary Leadership Award and the Windsor High School Coach’s Award for strong leadership, reliability and responsibility in basketball. During her senior year, Maurica was captain of Windsor High School girls’ varsity basketball and track teams. She was selected to attend Girls State and participated in the Virginia Model General Assembly for three years. She is a member of the BETA Club, Hi Y, Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Clubs of America.

She has been active collecting coats for the needy and participating in walks to prevent suicide and also plays the bass, lead guitar and drums for Second Chance Christian Assembly. She serves on various ministries such as the praise team and youth ministries.

Maurica’s parents are Maurice and Terry Bynum, and her grandmother is Lauretta Barr.

Maurica will attend Virginia Wesleyan College this fall and major in accounting. She hopes one day to own an accounting firm.