Telegraph Staff Writer
Martin Luther King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Santa Fe College and its Bradford County Initiative and Upward Bound presented MLK Model Scholar Awards to eight Bradford High School students who are putting themselves on the best track so that they can help others in the future.
“We want to honor the students in the Upward Bound program who show the potential that Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrated with his life in making an impact and in making a difference,” Bradford County Initiative Committee member Naima Brown said during a brief ceremony on Jan. 13 at BHS.
Upward Bound is a part of the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO program, which is designed to provide assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Upward Bound accepts students that are potentially first-generation college students and whose families meet income requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. Students receive information on how to complete college applications and resumes, attend college fairs and tour college campuses, learn professional etiquette and receive tutoring and work-study opportunities.
The end goal is to help students go to college.
Brown, who’s also Santa Fe College’s vice president for student affairs, said a little about each student as they received commemorative plaques.
Jaleel Easley has been in Upward Bound since the summer of 2021. He’s a member of the Kiwanis Club of Starke’s Key Club at BHS, participates in cross country and track and field, and enjoys photography. Easley is considering attending Florida A&M University or the University of Central Florida.
“We will see Jaleel making an impact in the field of psychology and modeling in years to come,” Brown said.
Jada Harris, who’s been in Upward Bound since 2018, plays basketball and enjoys participating in community service, traveling and watching YouTube. Colleges she’s considering are Santa Fe and the University of South Florida.
“We will see her making a difference in the future as a pharmacist and a Realtor,” Brown said.
Ajiyah Jackson has been in Upward Bound since the summer of 2021.
“Her friends will say she always has their back,” Brown said, adding that Jackson “likes to get crafty and creative.”
Jackson plays volleyball and basketball and is active in her church. Colleges she’s considering are Santa Fe, FAMU and the University of Florida.
“We will see her making a difference with her life as she pursues (a career in) the medical field as a pediatrician or pediatric nurse,” Brown said.
Breann Ponce, who’s been in Upward Bound since 2018, participates in weightlifting and softball, enjoys hunting and fishing and volunteers at Bradford Middle School. She’s interested in attending Santa Fe College.
“You will see her making a difference in the lives of others as a future nurse,” Brown said.
Jametirus Pringle has been in Upward Bound since 2019 and said he’s enjoyed it because it’s shown him “how college works,” Brown said. He plays football and basketball, enjoys fishing as well as participating in Upward Bound and is interested in a career in criminal justice.
“You will see him making a difference in the future as a conservation officer,” Brown said.
Alysia Rentz, who’s been in Upward Bound since the summer of 2021, is a member of the junior varsity basketball team, plays clarinet in the marching band and plays bass clarinet in the symphonic band.
“She also has her own personal violin,” Brown said.
Rentz is still deciding which colleges she’s interested in attending.
“You will see her making a difference in the future in the field of medicine,” Brown said.
Zaevion Small wasn’t present at the ceremony, but Brown said, “We know that we will see him making a difference in the field of business.”
Small has been in Upward Bound since the summer of 2021 and is considering attending FAMU or UCF.
Elijah Williams, who’s been in Upward Bound since 2018, participates in football, weightlifting and track and field. He enjoys volunteering in the community and is considering attending UF, UCF, Florida State University, Clemson University and Ohio State University.
“You will see him making a difference in the lives of others as an architect,” Brown said.
Local Upward Bound Coordinator Yolanda Thomas was also honored by the Bradford County Initiative Committee, which was represented by Shelia Cummings and Glenda Ruise as well as Brown. She was presented with a Community Impact Award. Brown cited Thomas’ role in helping students develop academic skills and self-esteem, helping them become leaders and active in community service, and providing them with work experience as well as opportunities to visit college campuses.
“In the view of the committee, Yolanda has absolutely revolutionized the Upward Bound program,” Brown said, adding, “On the most recent annual performance review, the students exceeded all the expectations in terms of GPA, tests, retention, graduation and enrollment in college.”
Brown, on behalf of Santa Fe College, also recognized Cummings and Ruise for their involvement with the Bradford County Initiative.
