Martika Clark, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, has won a prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship.

    Clark, who is originally from Barbourville, plans to attend Murray State University and study occupational safety and health.

    “My parents really pushed me. My dad has always told me to value my education. They really motivated me a lot,” Clark said. “They know I’m a hard worker, but this really ices the cake.”

    The Gates Millennium Scholars program (www.gmsp.org/), established in 1999, initially was funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers for minority students and provide seamless support from undergraduate through doctoral programs for students entering the target disciplines of education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences.

    Clark, who also credits her church and pastor for their inspiration, said she plans to attend Hampton University in Virginia to pursue a master’s in business management.

    “Ever since I was real young, I wanted to be a dentist,” she said. “But science and math are just not my strengths. English would be my strength.”

    Clark, a member of the youth advisory board of Black Achievers, a community group affiliated with the YMCA, took the initiative to apply for the Gates scholarship.

    “This definitely opens up so many opportunities for her,” said Deanna Smith, a guidance counselor at Dunbar.

    “She’s just a natural leader. It’s something that exudes from her,” Smith said. “Her peers trust her opinion and will listen to her.”

    Steve Duerson, sponsor of Leaders in the Making at Dunbar, also praised the club’s president.

    “I think Martika’s greatest asset is that she’s dependable,” he said. “She’s always in a good mood and has a great personality.”

    Duerson said he has watched Clark grow and develop into a better student, too.

    “She’s had to work really hard and make the grades and earn her way,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed having her in our school to motivate others who look up to her.”