At the closure of the 2018-2019 school year, the Broward Education Foundation (BEF) awarded more than 1.5 million in college scholarships to Broward County students. More than 300 public high school students were recipients of the generous scholarships, ranging from $500 to four-year tuitions, during BEF’s 2019 Scholarship Award Ceremony.
“Each year, this event highlights the determination of our students to reach for their dreams,” said Broward Education Foundation Executive Director Shea Ciriago. “We also see firsthand the unwavering commitment to education by our donors and Broward Education Foundation’s impact on student achievement. We applaud the hard work, motivation and dedication of these scholarship recipients.”
Of the many well-deserving seniors, twenty-nine resided in Miramar and ten attended Miramar High School including Vanessa Rolle. The dedicated student was an excellent candidate for the CFB-Gertrude Gray Memorial Scholarship. She demonstrated academic achievement, showed personal leadership qualities in extracurricular school and community activities, and additionally wrote a stellar essay to earn the sought-after award.
Although Rolle thought she would receive a few hundred dollars towards her higher education, she was beyond surprised to learn she won six-thousand dollars. The eager graduate will attend Winston-Salem State University and major in Justice Studies. Her dream is to work alongside civil rights attorneys and leaders to advocate for civil rights.
“I have always been passionate about the justice system. I have faith in the system, despite its many inconsistencies. In the United States we are allowed to address our concerns, my main concern is when the system has failed someone. When justice is not served there is an issue. Everyone has the natural right to be treated equally and when this is not done, I am the passionate person who will step up to the plate and have my voice heard,” explained Rolle.
“With these scholarships, we provide Broward County Public School graduating seniors who have the desire to continue their educational journey with the opportunity to fulfill that dream,” Ciriago added. “Broward Education Foundation will continue to be adept, agile and responsive to shifting needs in education and our community.”
“I was consumed with so much joy when I won the scholarship, I’ve applied for so many and this was my first ever scholarship that I’ve won. I am beyond grateful that Miramar High School opened up so many doors for me that I never would have even imagined. I am so excited for the coming fall,” added Rolle.