(Ito Conti & Ike Pahm)
For the first time, the UPAA-W Guansing-Regala Scholarship for a Two-Year College or Trade/Technical/Vocational Program has been awarded. Nicole Dianne Gamelo is the inaugural recipient of the new scholarship and will receive a $1,000 award to support her education at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).
The UPAA-W Board established the new scholarship on April 11, 2026, to provide financial assistance to graduating Wisconsin high school students of Filipino parentage who choose to pursue a two-year college degree or a trade, technical, or vocational program rather than a traditional four-year degree. Recipients are selected based on academic merit and financial need.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Nicole now lives in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She is the second of five children, and both of her parents are Filipino citizens. Her mother is a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools system.
Nicole graduated from MacDowell Montessori School in Milwaukee in June 2026, earning a weighted cumulative GPA of 3.8381 and ranking 8th in a graduating class of 44 students. An honor student, Nicole also played violin in her high school orchestra.
Her involvement extended beyond the classroom. As part of her community service, Nicole performed with the Nayon Milwaukee Dance Group for three years, participating in cultural events including the Holiday Folk Fair International, the University School of Milwaukee Global Enrichment Festival, and the Skokie Festival of Cultures. Through these performances, she helped share and celebrate Filipino culture with the broader community.
Nicole is currently enrolled at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) for the first semester of the 2026–27 academic year, where she is pursuing the Medical Laboratory Technician program. The program will prepare her for a career in clinical laboratory science and the healthcare field.
In her personal essay, Nicole explained what inspired her educational and career goals:
“I chose to study in healthcare because I wanted to make a real change in people’s lives, especially in places where medical care is hard to get. Under the MPS M³ program, I successfully balanced my high school curriculum with college-level courses to earn my Nursing Assistant certificate from Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).”
Nicole also shared a heartfelt message of appreciation with the UPAA-W community:
“I would like to formally accept the UPAA-W Guansing-Regala Scholarship Award for a two-year college or trade/technical/vocational program for the 2026 school year. Thank you to everyone who is part of the UPAA-W Board and to the donors who made this scholarship happen. A million thank-yous would not be enough. This scholarship can help me reach my goals.”
Nicole’s selection represents an important milestone for the Guansing-Regala Scholarship Program as UPAA-W expands its support to students pursuing diverse educational and career pathways.
Congratulations, Nicole! The UPAA-W community wishes you every success at MATC and in your journey toward a rewarding career in healthcare.