WPHCA Awards 2026 Scholarship

WPHCA Board Member Sonia Tatlock with scholarship recipient Gael Munoz Ortiz.

Each year the WPHCA awards a scholarship to a deserving White Plains HS senior from the Highlands. As always, there were a number of outstanding nominees. This year’s recipient of a $1000 scholarship is Gael Munoz Ortiz.

In addition to being an excellent student - ranking 19th out of 555 in his class - Gael participated in numerous clubs, including Debate Club, Robotics Team, Volleyball Club, and Marching Band, where he serves as a section leader. He has taken on leadership roles in the community, such as serving as an attorney in YMCA Youth and Government, where he prepared for months to argue cases at conferences and volunteering at El Centro Hispano, tutoring young children and assisting with food drives.

Gael's father passed away unexpectedly when he was a baby, which means that at home he often takes on adult responsibilities to assist his mom and two sisters, all while juggling a demanding academic and extracurricular schedule.

WPHCA is proud to add Gael’s name to a long list of amazing young men and women from the Highlands who represent our youth in the best possible way.

Congratulations Gael! We wish you the best of luck in the next chapter of your life. We know you will do great things.

The WPHCA Scholarship is directly supported through donations to the WPHCA Scholarship fund. Each year counselors from WPHS nominate well-rounded students who have exemplified hard work and service service, especially in the face of adversity. We appreciate the support of our Highlands community which in turn enables us to support amazing students like Gael each year. Thank you!