MCSM INSPIRES: Interview with POSSE Scholarship Recipient Amy Ortiz Guarneros

By: Waverly Winchester

As those of us who are lucky enough to call MCSM “home” know, it’s a very INSPIRING place on many levels.  This month I’m honored to have interviewed Senior Amy Ortiz Guarneros, who was awarded a Posse Scholarship, which is amazing! Let her INSPIRE you with her excellence:

For readers who don’t know, what is a Posse Scholarship in your own words?

The Posse Scholarship to me is an opportunity to embrace my leadership skills at a level in which I can serve as a paragon for personal and community development in any setting. Posse allows me to gain a higher level of education at a top-ranked university without the financial burden and opens me to a massive branch of networking for the near future.

 What was the process like when you tried to get one?

I was introduced to Posse through a program called SEO and through SEO I was nominated for Posse. From there I went through a three part (DAP) interview process from August until December 2022.

 How did you find out the news that you received a Posse Scholarship and how did you feel?

Once I was notified by Posse that I became a finalist recipient to Depauw University I became overly ecstatic and relieved because I felt like all my hard work paid off.

 Were your grades perfect?

Although Posse is a leadership-based scholarship, grades do play a part in the process. I would not consider my grades to be necessarily “perfect” I do have a few B’s but, I gradually learned how to fix my transcript through responsibility and discipline during my junior year of high school. At the end of the day, for those who would like to know I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA.

 What kind of student are you, overall?

Overall, as a student I would consider myself to be a credible student, one who is open to facing any challenge and learn from any mistakes that might be made along the way. As an authentic student, I communicate and consider all possible opinions and/ or thoughts as well.

 I did some research and you really have to be an exceptional student to get a Posse Scholarship.  What were some of the leadership activities you demonstrated?

I would consider most if not all my leadership activities to be done outside of school. The most notable leadership-based activity I consider myself a leader in would be SEO. At SEO I am a scholar and student ambassador, with this I have completed more than 400+ hours of extra rigorous academic instruction and as a student ambassador, I have done 100+ hours of prospective scholar recruitment and have spoken at family panel meetings, enrichment program panels, and SEO application workshops.

 Where are you going to go to college?

I will be attending Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Go Tigers!

 What advice can you give to students who want to achieve this goal like you did?

I would say to be your authentic self and put in all the hard work you can give. Posse is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I strongly encourage all to apply because not only do you gain this gracious scholarship to attend a highly ranked institution, Posse is an organization filled with the next generation of leaders, and they carry a huge selection of connections that can send you straight to where you want to be in the future. 

 Thank you, Amy, for sharing all of this with us, and mostly for inspiring us to follow your lead and become the most excellent versions of ourselves that we can be!