During the June Council Presentations, Vice Mayor Patricia Fairclough and the Mayor’s Youth Council once again had the pleasure of awarding college scholarships to exceptional Homestead students through the Coins for College Campaign. The annual community outreach project lead by the Mayor’s Youth Council funds college scholarships for local students.
“Education is one of the most important investments a community can make in its future,” said Vice Mayor Fairclough, liaison to the Mayor’s Youth Council. “Each of these students made a commitment to continue their studies and Homestead made a commitment too. Whether it was spare change or a check, so many people were ready to invest in the future of these students and the future of our community.”
Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who have shown ambition and drive, determination to set and reach goals, respect for self, family and community, and the ability and will to succeed in college. Because of their determination and overall qualities, scholarship winners are known as Homestead Youth Achievers.
This year’s Homestead Youth Achievers are: Fernan Lauro Gregorio, Joaquin Morales and Tiana Hayes.
Fernan Lauro Gregorio graduated from the School for Advanced Studies with a 3.7 G.P.A. and was Vice-President of the school’s Art Club. He was concurrently enrolled at Miami-Dade College with 60 credits and had a 3.5 G.P.A. He also has 15 hours of community service with This Is the Dog, 10+ hours at Coral Gables Art Cinema and over 600 hours with City of Homestead Summer Camp. He also interned at the Seminole Theatre. Fernan has been accepted to the University of Central Florida where he wants to study film.
Joaquin Morales attended M.A.S.T. at Homestead with a 3.7 G.P.A. He was President of the Health Information Project and Vice-President to the Health Occupations Student of America (HOSA) organization. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, took Advanced Placement courses and graduated magna cum laude. He also dually enrolled at Miami-Dade College with 31 credits. In addition to volunteering at Homestead Baptist Hospital, he has over 800 hours of community service. Joaquin has been accepted to the University of Central Florida where he plans to double major in biology and psychology, and further wants to study to become a cardiologist.
Tiana Hayes graduated from Homestead Senior High with a 3.2 G.P.A. She was Treasurer for the Class of 2016, a member of the English and National Honor Societies and graduated summa cum laude. Tiana dually enrolled at Miami-Dade College with 15 credits and has an additional six credits from F.I.U. She has over 470 hours of community service and has been accepted to the University of Central Florida where she wants to study to become a nurse.
The purpose of the Mayor’s Youth Council is to complement academic studies by increasing the students’ knowledge, voice, communication, and involving them in practical hands-on experiences to promote volunteerism among both youth and adults in civic education and affairs. For more information on the Mayor’s Youth Council please visit www.cityofhomestead.com/YouthCouncil.
