Five high school seniors were awarded $1,000 scholarships to attend Florida A&M University in the upcoming semesters.
The scholarships were awarded by the Alachua County chapter of FAMU’s National Alumni Association during its annual scholarship celebration at Springhill Baptist Church in southeast Gainesville on Saturday.
Boderick Johnson, chapter president, congratulated the scholarship recipients and their parents for helping them be eligible for the scholarships.
“We are proud to recognize you,” Johnson said. “Thank you to the parents who sacrificed financially, physically and mentally. Thank you to the students for choosing to be future Rattlers.”
The students who received the scholarships were:
• Ayanna Hampton of Eastside High School
• Che’ Reed Jr. of Eastside
• Leilani Mills of Eastside
• Claudette Strickland of Gainesville High School
• Synteria Williams of Hawthorne High School
“We are so blessed to have given away five scholarships,” Johnson said. “Every year we average about two to three scholars. Our goal is to give more money to students every year.”
FAMU scholarships:FAMU alumni awards scholarships
Previous scholarship recipient So’Unique High is a FAMU sophomore and was a graduate of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School.
High congratulated her future classmates and gave words of encouragement to help them succeed during their next 4 years at FAMU.
“Keep God first,” High said. “Always encourage yourself. A lot of us are here from the strength of other people. People around you are an example of trailblazers in the community.
“Always remember who you are. Stay grounded and keep your education first. I know that you all will do great things as my new classmates and strive to be leading pioneers.”
Another previous scholarship recipient, Ian Rentz, shared advice on what can help the incoming freshmen succeed as a college student.
Rentz is also a FAMU sophomore and graduate of Buchholz High School.
“The main thing is education and graduating,” Rentz said. “Take your time. Anything getting in the way is not right for you.”
Rentz stressed the importance of building relationships soon.
“Network early,” he said. “Relationships are made early on. You’re here to make an impact. Join clubs, grow and excel as an individual so you have something to lean on.”
Gussie Campbell, the scholarship committee chairperson, said the board reviewed 38 applicants and within two weeks they made their decision to select the five recipients.
Myretta Reed accepted the scholarship on behalf of her son, Che’ Reed Jr., who had work obligations.
“We are grateful he got the scholarship,” she said. “We are thankful for the FAMU-ly he has now and we are excited for him.”
Bridgette Gordon, FAMU’s women’s head basketball coach, served as the keynote speaker.
Gordon played basketball and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1989.
“I’m a woman of God,” Gordon said. “All of my athletes receive life lessons on and off the court. You must maintain a 3.5 GPA and sit in the first three rows to play for me.”
Basketball can be the tool to improve the condition of players and help them succeed in life, Gordon said.
She said one of her goals is to create a sisterhood among her players similar to what she had when she attended the UT.
Gordon also talked about the seven C’s that are important to her: culture, character, coachable, confidence, commitment, competitiveness and class.
She said her nickname is “Coach Pressure” and said she gives her all to anyone she coaches.
“You have to be coachable and allow me to push you,” Gordon said. “I rather be respected than be liked. I want to be the role model I wish I had when I was growing up.”
After Gordon’s speech, the chapter donated $1,000 to FAMU’s women basketball team.
