San Gabriel Mission High School senior Claire Cruz will attend Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, on a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Cruz is a recipient of the Posse Scholarship, an award given to students of extraordinary academic ability and leadership potential.

Tulane University is a private research institution where Cruz will major in political science and international relations with a minor in psychology.

Cruz went through three rounds of interviews over the span of five months before being selected. She won out over 2,500 Los Angeles nominees and is one of 110 Posse recipients. The scholarship provides financial and social support, and the cohort is broken into smaller groups, or “posses” of about 10 each.

Cruz said of her accomplishment that it would not have happened “if it weren’t for Mission High.” She added, “All the support that I have received from my Mission sisters and the faculty and staff has allowed me to succeed. … I have truly been blessed.”

In a press release, Mission High School congratulated Cruz, saying, “Your Mission High Family is proud of your accomplishment.”