FFC 2012 Scholarship Awards Banquet
On Saturday, June 16, 2012, Family & Friends Connection, Inc. held its third annual scholarship awards banquet. The evening's award ceremony was presided over by Master of Ceremonies Mr. Gary D. Wright a well known radio personality, introduced by FFC Secretary Mrs. Carlene Whyte-McNee, ARNP. Rev. Dr. Carreen Clarke welcomed the presence of our Holy God and led us to the throne of grace.
This was the most elaborate awards ceremony held since the inception of their 'Realizing Your Self Worth Scholarship." It was a very special evening with many happy faces lighting up the large banquet hall at the Sheraton Hotel at 1825 Griffin Road in Dania Beach, Florida. The new edition of the Realizing Your Self Worth Scholarship magazine was also available for all patrons and guests.
There were five scholarship recipients from four different high schools in Broward County, Florida. Yes, because of limited funding, the FFC scholarship is only available to graduating seniors with college acceptace letters, who attend Broward County High Schools. West Broward High in Pembroke Pines had two award recipients, Alexsandra Bello who is also a Silver Knight Scholar in Mathematics, and will study for a Masters in Mathematics at the University of Florida, and Waqtasu Tesemma who will also be studying at the University of Florida. Other recipients were Rahil Shah, the 2012 Senior Class President from Miramar High School, who will study Medicine at the University of Miami, and Orlando Watson, JROTC Command Leader from Hallandale Magnet High School who will study at Broward College. The fifth recipient, Tashfia Noor of Nova High School, was unable to attend the awards banquet. She will study at the University of Florida.
These students are hardworking and had to overcome personal and family obstacles to get where they are today. Thay are an inspiration to anyone who is willing to persevere and work hard to achieve their goals. They had so many volunteer hours that FFC nominated them for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Each student who qualified for the award was presented with an envelope with a letter from the white house signed by President Obama, along with a certificate and gold lapel pins with the Presidential crest. They believed and achieved...so can you!
This was the most elaborate awards ceremony held since the inception of their 'Realizing Your Self Worth Scholarship." It was a very special evening with many happy faces lighting up the large banquet hall at the Sheraton Hotel at 1825 Griffin Road in Dania Beach, Florida. The new edition of the Realizing Your Self Worth Scholarship magazine was also available for all patrons and guests.
There were five scholarship recipients from four different high schools in Broward County, Florida. Yes, because of limited funding, the FFC scholarship is only available to graduating seniors with college acceptace letters, who attend Broward County High Schools. West Broward High in Pembroke Pines had two award recipients, Alexsandra Bello who is also a Silver Knight Scholar in Mathematics, and will study for a Masters in Mathematics at the University of Florida, and Waqtasu Tesemma who will also be studying at the University of Florida. Other recipients were Rahil Shah, the 2012 Senior Class President from Miramar High School, who will study Medicine at the University of Miami, and Orlando Watson, JROTC Command Leader from Hallandale Magnet High School who will study at Broward College. The fifth recipient, Tashfia Noor of Nova High School, was unable to attend the awards banquet. She will study at the University of Florida.
These students are hardworking and had to overcome personal and family obstacles to get where they are today. Thay are an inspiration to anyone who is willing to persevere and work hard to achieve their goals. They had so many volunteer hours that FFC nominated them for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Each student who qualified for the award was presented with an envelope with a letter from the white house signed by President Obama, along with a certificate and gold lapel pins with the Presidential crest. They believed and achieved...so can you!
(L-R) Waqtasu Tesemma & Alexsandra Bello from West Broward High, Rahil Shah, Senior Class President from Miramar High, and Orlando Watson, JROTC Command Leader from Hallandale Magnet High School
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(L-R) Waqtasu Tesemma & Alexsandra Bello from West Broward High, Rahil Shah, Senior Class President from Miramar High, and Orlando Watson, JROTC Command Leader from Hallandale Magnet High School
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FFC Only 2012 Graduate Shaneil Wedderburn
Shaneil is the only FFC 2012 graduate. She graduated from College Academy @ BC with an Associates degree with highest honors. She will transition to the University of Florida. Shaneil received scholarship awards from South Florida Connects (SFC) and A Place of Restoration Prayer Line. Her awards were presented by Murreia Matos the granddaughter of the SFC CEO Debbie Thomas-Brown, and the Pastor of A Place of Restoration, Pastor Delano Grant, BA. Pastor Delano is also a Youth Development Counselor at O.I.C of Broward County. Shaneil's Profile
FFC Students Academic Recognition
FFC students are rewarded for their good academic performance each year during the annual scholarship awards banquet. Students from kindergarten to high school are encouraged to continue getting good grades. Some of the students are on their Principal's Honor Roll every year, and look forward to receiving their award plaques and certificates. They are very excited about being recognized for their efforts.
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President Donneth welcomed everyone and thanked the parents for their dedication to the success of their children. She reminded the guests that everything is possible with God. She and her husband Kevin are very proud of their oldest child Shaneil who will graduate from Broward College Academy next week with an Associates degree.
FFC PRO Debbie Thomas-Brown applauded the families and recipients of the FFC scholarships. Debbie also praised the efforts of the FFC students who continue to make good grades and remain great students. The pointed out that each recipient had their own set of challenges that they had to overcome to get to the place where they are now. She highlighted the struggles of Wagtasu Tesemma who came to this country from Ethiopia speaking no English and ended up taking care of his sick mom and younger brother, yet he has excelled academically. She used his story to show everyone that as long as you persevere and have faith, you can achieve anything in life.
The guest speaker Mr. Nick Zizi was dynamic and powerful. He used real life experiences to get his message across to the audience. Mr. Zizi is from Miami, and is a very popular motivational speaker. He had the audience in an attentive mode as he spoke and imparted words of encouragement to each and everyone. Mr. Zizi wants us to believe, because no obstacle is too great if we believe. When we believe, we can achieve.
Commissioner Wayne Messam and Commissioner Alexander Davis from the City of Miramar were in attendance. They both spoke and encouraged the youths to continue to strive for greatness. They both donated to the FFC Scholarship fund from their personal resources.
Pastor Bob Brady from Florida Bible delivered the greetings from the FFC Board. Pastor Brady is the person who helps FFC to find accommodations for its weekly meetings and other functions held at Florida Bible.
The entertainment for the evening was amazing. Top notch DJ Andre Edwards provided some good vibrations throughout the evening. DJ Andree In conjunction with the sons of Mystro who never fail to deliver provided awesome ongoing entertainment for the evening. International Gospel Singer Sharon Wiles was in her element and brought the banquet guests to their feet. She was amazing. Whenever The Salt Changers perform you know you will leave with a message. They were inspiring and original as usual. Their inspirational performance was talked about by everyone. The lone YRIMI dancer was dynamic like she always is. Her praise dance routine was very well done, and left the audience feeling blessed.
The MC for the evening Gary D. Wright was so moved by the Salt Changers Performance he started giving away donations and invited others to do the same.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support this years event. We could not have done this without your support. Thanks to all the kind individuals and organizations that provided scholarship awards to our FFC students.
Please join us again next year as we connect more families in need, to our friends with resources.
2011 Scholarship Awards Dinner News
FFC PRO Debbie Thomas-Brown applauded the families and recipients of the FFC scholarships. Debbie also praised the efforts of the FFC students who continue to make good grades and remain great students. The pointed out that each recipient had their own set of challenges that they had to overcome to get to the place where they are now. She highlighted the struggles of Wagtasu Tesemma who came to this country from Ethiopia speaking no English and ended up taking care of his sick mom and younger brother, yet he has excelled academically. She used his story to show everyone that as long as you persevere and have faith, you can achieve anything in life.
The guest speaker Mr. Nick Zizi was dynamic and powerful. He used real life experiences to get his message across to the audience. Mr. Zizi is from Miami, and is a very popular motivational speaker. He had the audience in an attentive mode as he spoke and imparted words of encouragement to each and everyone. Mr. Zizi wants us to believe, because no obstacle is too great if we believe. When we believe, we can achieve.
Commissioner Wayne Messam and Commissioner Alexander Davis from the City of Miramar were in attendance. They both spoke and encouraged the youths to continue to strive for greatness. They both donated to the FFC Scholarship fund from their personal resources.
Pastor Bob Brady from Florida Bible delivered the greetings from the FFC Board. Pastor Brady is the person who helps FFC to find accommodations for its weekly meetings and other functions held at Florida Bible.
The entertainment for the evening was amazing. Top notch DJ Andre Edwards provided some good vibrations throughout the evening. DJ Andree In conjunction with the sons of Mystro who never fail to deliver provided awesome ongoing entertainment for the evening. International Gospel Singer Sharon Wiles was in her element and brought the banquet guests to their feet. She was amazing. Whenever The Salt Changers perform you know you will leave with a message. They were inspiring and original as usual. Their inspirational performance was talked about by everyone. The lone YRIMI dancer was dynamic like she always is. Her praise dance routine was very well done, and left the audience feeling blessed.
The MC for the evening Gary D. Wright was so moved by the Salt Changers Performance he started giving away donations and invited others to do the same.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support this years event. We could not have done this without your support. Thanks to all the kind individuals and organizations that provided scholarship awards to our FFC students.
Please join us again next year as we connect more families in need, to our friends with resources.
2011 Scholarship Awards Dinner News