Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami honors scholarship award winners
Seeking the advice and aid of others is a sign of wisdom. We just can’t do everything in this life alone.
The recipients of the 2018 Lori Brener Scholarship awards know this message well. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami honored them during a graduation ceremony June 5 at the New World Center in Miami Beach.
“Meeting with the Women’s Committee and absorbing all of the valuable advice the women gave me about pursuing both my education and dreams has really helped and inspired me a lot,” said Aaniyah K. Sellers in her application.
“One thing that I was told that has always stuck with me was that college is not easy and I will experience bumps in the road, but I must remain focused and keep going.” She has received the scholarship two years in a row and is studying elementary education at Florida Memorial University.
The scholarship was created in memory of Lori Brener for her involvement in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization that she began at a very young age. She helped many others alongside her mother, longtime Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer Miriam Salazar.
“We are so proud of our recipients that have struggled very hard to graduate high school and with our scholarship help are going on to higher education and become productive members of our society,” Salazar said in an email.
“All of the recipients are 'Littles' who have gone through the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program,” she said. “And they were all recommended by ‘Bigs’ as well as their high schools.”
She said the awarded students are selected based on their scholastic achievements and service to their community.
The new scholarships were given to Raphaella Alexandre (Wake Forest University, Biomedical Engineering); Thamara Georges (Miami Dade Honors College, Nursing); Dakayla Hester (Florida State University, Criminology); Keliel Jones (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Nursing); Bill Thelusma (Florida International University, Exploratory Physical Science/Engineering); and Tyana Wright (Bethune Cookman University, Business Administration and Hospitality Management).
Previous recipients who were awarded renewals are Julio Burgos (Syracuse University, International Relations); Nicole Cruz (Syracuse University, Inclusive Elementary and Special Education); Ifeoma Duru (Miami Dade College, Nursing); Mycah Richardson (Warner University, Elementary Education), and Sellers.
“The story of Raphaella Alexandre, who could not attend the graduation ceremony, is so special that we presented her with the scholarship award the next day at the BBBS agency,” Salazar said. “She was so thrilled because she had no idea. By the way, these kids don't know they are getting the scholarship until the graduation ceremony.”
In Alexandre’s application essay she described her hardships. She suffered third degree burns on 85 percent of her body from a traumatic house fire when she was 5 years old.
“I was able to survive the bullying from my classmates, because of my scars, by finding beauty in myself as well as others and concentrating all my efforts in my studies,” Alexandre wrote. “My dream is to become a Biomedical Engineer to give back to the science that helped save my life by saving other burn and trauma victims."
To learn more and to donate, go to connect.bbbsmiami.org/loribrenerscholarship.
Plans are currently underway for next year's “Bollywood Evening of Love,” a fundraising event that benefits the scholarship.
Summer stargazing
Take friends and family members out to see the planets and stars with the Southern Cross Astros who set up their telescopes at 8 p.m. every Saturday (weather permitting) at Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Centre, Southwest 176 Street and 79 Avenue in Palmetto Bay.
You can see the summer stars, moon, and bright Venus and Jupiter through their hi-tech equipment. Or bring your own telescope. The SCAS Astros will assist you with locations.
Be sure to bring chairs and bug cream, and wear jeans. No lasers, white lights, litter, alcohol or pets permitted.
To learn more about the New Moon Star Parties at D'Auria Observatory, 23325 SW 217 Ave. in Homestead, call 305-661-1375.
New Neighbors Club
Learn about the MELT Method to care for your health at the next New Neighbors Club meeting 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Devon’s Seafood Restaurant, 11771 Sherri Lane at The Palms at Town and Country Mall, Kendall.
“The MELT Method is changing the way people care for their bodies. This proactive approach to maintaining a healthy, pain-free, active lifestyle is the best solution for living longer, better,” MELT Instructor Carol Jones said in an email.
“MELT is easy to learn and offers immediate results you will see and feel the first time you try it. Changes in alignment, posture, flexibility, mobility, energy, and mood occur with only a few sessions,” Jones said.
The luncheon and program cost is $25 by check. Reservations are required. Contact Charlene Richards at 305-251-3074 or erinsmom623@yahoo.com.
The New Neighbors Club of South Dade’s mission is to help people meet their neighbors and develop community awareness while enjoying fun events. Everyone is invited to join in at the friendly monthly luncheons or any of the club activities.
This story was originally published July 5, 2018 at 12:44 PM.