Community Champion: El Paso high school senior headed to Stanford on full ride scholarship

EL PASO, Texas -- No dream is unattainable, if you're willing to put in the work to achieve it.

Jesus Olivares, a senior at Da Vinci School for Science and the Arts, is headed to Stanford University on a full ride scholarship.

Olivares is a recipient of the Gates Scholarship, a scholarship that is awarded to only 300 high school students across the United States.

Olivares not only had to have the necessary grades, but he also had to submit 4 essays and even go through an interview process.

When he found out that he was one of the recipients of the Gates Scholarship it was a whirl of emotions for Olivares and his family.

"The moment I opened the email, I was just like wordless," Olivares said. "I was just with my mouth open, and when I told my mom I got the Gates Scholarship, we all just jumped and we were just hugging each other."

The $320,000 scholarship will pay for Olivares' entire education at Stanford where he plans to study aerospace engineering.

Olivares has always had an interest in space exploration.

While at Da Vinci, Olivares competed in various science fair competitions, some for NASA.

Olivares has put in the work and is now ready to reap the rewards.

His advice to other students is to try to new things, and to not be afraid to reach for the stars.

"Make the most out of all the opportunities that they have," Olivares said. "If they have a passion just follow it, follow it no matter what."