The Upward Bound program at Santa Fe College is proud to announce the winners of the Orlando Trip Essay Contest! All students who attend a trip through the Upward Bound program are required to write an essay about their experiences on the trip. The essay can include any aspect of the trip that they found interesting, or it may be required to focus around a particular topic. The best essays are chosen from all received for special recognition and prizes.
The Orlando trip started in the City of Daytona Beach with visits to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Bethune-Cookman University. From visits to the universities, the trip continued to Orlando for an exciting dining experience at Medieval Times Restaurant.
Early the next morning the students were off to the Orlando Science Center, Universal Studios and Wells Built Hotel/Museum of African American History. The goal of each stop was to provide a learning experience that would appeal to all students while exposing them to new ideas and different perspectives on the world around them.
The main theme of the Orlando Trip Essay was the history of the Wells Built Hotel, which was completed in 1926 by Dr. William Monroe Wells. It was built to provide lodging for African-American visitors to Orlando including such celebrities as Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Wells Built Hotel closed in 1970 but reopened in 2001 as the Wells™ Built Museum of African American History and Culture with over 6000 sq.ft. of display space including artwork, photographs, books and mementos.
Six students received awards for their essay submissions. The awards ceremony was the culmination of a special all day College Preparation Seminar and Luncheon presented by members of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. University of Florida Chapter.
Students who accepted awards at the ceremony were, from left to right, Jazmine Williams (11th grade Newberry High School), Lyzet Ignacio-Simon (12th grade Newberry High School), Malvin Stone (12th grade Bradford High School) and Brianna King (9th grade Newberry High School).
Leonidria Robinson (12th grade Newberry High School) and Ashley Jones (10th grade Bradford High School) also received awards. All six students were given special recognition from Dr. Awoniyi after a presentation on the importance of reliability, dependability and follow-through.
