The 2022 Model Scholars, pictured left to right are Jametrius Pringle, Breann Ponce, Jaleel Easley, Alysia Rentz, Ajiyah Jackson, Jada Harris and Elijah Williams not pictured Zaevion Small.
January 26, 2022 – The Santa Fe College Bradford County Initiative Committee celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day by awarding the 2022 Model Scholars Award to eight SF Upward Bound program participants in a small outdoor ceremony at Bradford High School earlier this month. The students were nominated by the Upward Bound program staff. A model scholar is someone who is a leader in their own rite. They do not follow the crowd or allow others to dictate their actions.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said “put yourself in a state of mind where you can say to yourself, here is an opportunity for me to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary.” Being a part of Upward Bound, these scholars are aligning themselves to do whatever is necessary to enter into and graduate from a post-secondary institution of their choice.
Upward Bound is one of many federally funded TRIO programs through the United States Department of Education and one of six at SF. The program serves potential first-generation college students, students from economically disadvantaged background, and students with academic needs. The goal of the program is to support students to realize their dreams of completing high school, enrolling in and graduating from college. It exposes scholars to educational experiences in which they may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
SF’s Upward Bound program is located at the Andrews Center in Starke, and is funded to serve 63 students from Bradford High School. For information about Upward Bound, email UBSF@sfcollege.edu or call 352-395-4494.