Family & Friends Connection, 2016 Scholarship Awards
FFC 2016 SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
Miramar, Florida: On Saturday, June 11, 2016, Family & Friends Connection, Inc., held its 8th Annual Scholarship Awards banquet. This year’s event was held at the Faith Presbyterian Church Hall, 1700 NW 98th Avenue, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.
The evening's award ceremony was presided over by Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Anthony Thompson, one of our very own talented FFC members. Prayer was then led by one of our community partners, Dr. Careen Clarke from Yahweh Redeem International Ministry.
This was a special evening that put the spotlight on all FFC students who volunteered for their community, in addition to graduating with exceptional achievements.
Ashley Victor
This year’s scholarships were awarded to the following four students:
Ashley Victor
High School: Dillard High
Achievements: Salutatorian of her class; graduated with a 4.8 GPA; recently featured on the Sun Sentinel website for her grades; accepted into University of Florida, Florida State University and University of Miami.
Extracurricular: Over 360 volunteer hours completed with groups such as Family and Friends, the Miami Dolphins special teams, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County; president of Key club and majorette in her school marching band. Sang in a choir for 6 years, which received superior ratings and participated in multiple competitions.
Chosen College: University of Miami.
Career Plan: To be a Pediatric Nurse
Ashley Victor
High School: Dillard High
Achievements: Salutatorian of her class; graduated with a 4.8 GPA; recently featured on the Sun Sentinel website for her grades; accepted into University of Florida, Florida State University and University of Miami.
Extracurricular: Over 360 volunteer hours completed with groups such as Family and Friends, the Miami Dolphins special teams, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County; president of Key club and majorette in her school marching band. Sang in a choir for 6 years, which received superior ratings and participated in multiple competitions.
Chosen College: University of Miami.
Career Plan: To be a Pediatric Nurse
Karena Wedderburn
Karena Wedderburn
High School: Fort Lauderdale High
Achievements: Graduated with a 4.7 GPA; dual enrollment at Fort Lauderdale High and Broward College; accepted into Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and Bethune Cookman University.
Extracurricular: Over 350 volunteer hours tutoring peers, and countless volunteer hours at
FFC since 2006; member of National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and President of Psychology Honors club; worked part-time at Home Owners Service.
Chosen College: Florida State University
Career Plan: To be a Military Analyst
High School: Fort Lauderdale High
Achievements: Graduated with a 4.7 GPA; dual enrollment at Fort Lauderdale High and Broward College; accepted into Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and Bethune Cookman University.
Extracurricular: Over 350 volunteer hours tutoring peers, and countless volunteer hours at
FFC since 2006; member of National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and President of Psychology Honors club; worked part-time at Home Owners Service.
Chosen College: Florida State University
Career Plan: To be a Military Analyst
Rovena Reid
Rovena Reid
High School: Miramar High
Achievements: Graduated with a 3.88 GPA; achieved honors and advanced placement in classes; amongst the top 25% of her graduating class; maintained A/B honor roll all four years of high school; accepted into Barry University, Virginia Union University and Northern Illinois University; awarded full scholarship for Barry University, in addition to other scholarships such as St. Benedict Youth Scholarship and St. Benedict H.O.P.E scholarship.
Extracurricular: Over 350 volunteer hours completed at Sunshine Elementary School and
the Youth Enrichment Center. Member of the dance team; worked part-time at Dairy Queen.
Chosen College: Barry University
Chosen Career: A Registered Nurse
High School: Miramar High
Achievements: Graduated with a 3.88 GPA; achieved honors and advanced placement in classes; amongst the top 25% of her graduating class; maintained A/B honor roll all four years of high school; accepted into Barry University, Virginia Union University and Northern Illinois University; awarded full scholarship for Barry University, in addition to other scholarships such as St. Benedict Youth Scholarship and St. Benedict H.O.P.E scholarship.
Extracurricular: Over 350 volunteer hours completed at Sunshine Elementary School and
the Youth Enrichment Center. Member of the dance team; worked part-time at Dairy Queen.
Chosen College: Barry University
Chosen Career: A Registered Nurse
Cameron Blanchard
Cameron Blanchard
High School: Stranahan High
Achievements: Graduated with a 3.91GPA.
Extracurricular: Over 250 volunteer hours completed at Memorial Pembroke Hospital and 106 hours and Hallandale Elementary School for 106 hours; participated in cross country varsity for 3 years, and varsity captain for the last year; participated in varsity swimming for 2 years; member of the Key club for 2 years, acting as class representative for 1 year. Member of the Math Club for 1 year.
Career Plan: To join the military
High School: Stranahan High
Achievements: Graduated with a 3.91GPA.
Extracurricular: Over 250 volunteer hours completed at Memorial Pembroke Hospital and 106 hours and Hallandale Elementary School for 106 hours; participated in cross country varsity for 3 years, and varsity captain for the last year; participated in varsity swimming for 2 years; member of the Key club for 2 years, acting as class representative for 1 year. Member of the Math Club for 1 year.
Career Plan: To join the military
FFC Vice President, Cecile Chung (Joy)
Mrs. Donneth Wedderburn, FFC Founder/President
FFC Vice President Cecil (Joy) Chung gave the welcome. In attendance was Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers from the city of Miramar, our guest speaker, Soulfully Good restaurant owner Mr. Aris Eugene, along with other business supporters, guests and FFC members.
President Donneth Wedderburn gave the scholarship recipients a warm soul touching message
President Donneth Wedderburn gave the scholarship recipients a warm soul touching message
Reminding them to continue to focus and stay strong to their commitments, by believing in themselves as they continue their journey through college. Donneth closed her message with these words from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”
Dr. Carlene Whyte-Mcnee
The FFC overview was given by Dr. Carlene Whyte-McNee, who spoke about FFC accomplishments, including the numerous people who have been assisted by the organization over the years with job placement, home assistance, food, etc. Dr. Whyte-McNee also spoke about the monthly educational workshops and the educational program The Donneth Show on WAVS 1170 AM radio.
City of Miramar Vice Mayor, Maxwell Chambers
Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers also encouraged the graduates emphasizing that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Vice Mayor Chambers noted that he was not able to get a college degree, but was fortunate to go to a trade school.
Guest Speaker - Businessman, Restauranteur, Aris Eugene
Our guest speaker, Aris Eugene was dynamic, and his speech with warm words of motivation was beneficial to everyone. Mr. Eugene spoke from the prospective of a father, an educator, a young adult, and a business person warning the students to be cautious with social media, and use it only in a positive light.
The evenings’ entertainment consisted of a beautiful praise dance by Camal James in addition to an extraordinary variety of music by Mark Swaby and Sons of Mystro who has been so supportive over the years.
The delectable food was prepared by our very own Ms. Norma assisted by Ms. Andrea; our FFC members are so talented!
We are grateful for everyone that came or donated to this momentous cause.
We are grateful for everyone that came or donated to this momentous cause.
