Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) recently hosted its annual scholarship awards ceremony at the Village Golf Club in Royal Palm Beach, presenting scholarships to 21 local students.
CAFCI is celebrating its 25th year serving the community through volunteerism, cultural diversity awareness, health awareness, community outreach, youth development and educational assistance. For 22 years, CAFCI has recognized student achievement through its scholarship program. The theme for this year’s ceremony was, “The Future is Yours.” To date, CAFCI has recognized 142 students and has given 103 monetary awards totaling $52,490. The student assistance committee members are Junette Powell, Nadine White-Boyd, Pearline Roomes, Dr. Cedric Lynch and Chair Dr. Elaine Ealy.
Seventeen students met the requirements for CAFCI awards by submitting applications that included an essay and having an interview. CAFCI awarded the students with $1,000 each through the student assistance program. CAFCI also presented two Junior Citizen Awards for $500 each to two students for outstanding volunteer service to the organization.
Three Eagle Scouts received $1,000 schoarships through the Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The 17 scholarship recipients are: AmberMarie Peynado of Royal Palm Beach High School who will attend Palm Beach State College, Arshley Thelot of Atlantic High School who will attend Florida State University, Brandon Boyd of Park Vista High School who will attend Florida State University, Christian Petitfrere of Glades Central High School who will attend Florida International University, Daniel Prud’Homme of Wellington High School who will attend Florida Atlantic University, Gina Louis of Palm Beach Lakes High School who will attend the University of Florida, Janae Moodie of Seminole Ridge High School who will attend the University of Florida, Jhanelle Bisasor of Suncoast High School who will attend Harvard University, Juliana Morrera of Seminole Ridge High School who will attend the University of Florida, Kalie Jean of Palm Beach Gardens High School who will attend the University of Florida, Kenneil Nugent of Glades Central High School who will attend Florida Atlantic University, Lindjee Noziere of Atlantic High School who will attend Florida Atlantic University, Marken Vilson of Glades Central High School who will attend Florida Atlantic University, Olivia Davy of Wellington High School who will attend the University of Central Florida, Paul Joaseus of Suncoast High School who will attend Florida International University, Reberca David of Glades Central High School who will attend Florida International University and Tory Waver of Palm Beach Lakes High School who will attend the University of Florida.
The two students awarded CAFCI Junior Citizens are Brandon Boyd of Park Vista High School who will attend Florida State University and Marcus Wilson of Seminole Ridge High School who will attend Palm Beach State College. The three Eagle Scouts awarded Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Scholarships are Casey Whalen of Palm Beach Gardens High School who will attend Palm Beach State College, Hunter Johnson of Seminole Ridge High School who will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Ross Pantone of Suncoast High School who will attend the University of Florida.
Scharship contributors include the Winn-Dixie Bi-Lo Foundation, Wal-Mart Stores, Publix Supermarkets, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Wayne Richards, Royal Palm Beach Councilman and Mrs. Jeff Hmara, Royal Palm Beach Councilman Richard Valuntas, School Board Member Marcia Andrews, Dr. Brian Haft – Haft Eye Institute, Steve Smith – Tint King, William K. Caler Jr. CPA, Dr. Colette Brown-Graham, Dr. Pat Lyn, Star Nails Salon, Wayne Oliver Pest Control, Chinny’s Restaurant, Dennis Wright, Mark and Leonie Escoffery, Neil and Junette Powell, Newbolt and Hyacinth Wilson, Lauriston and Shauna Simms, Genieve White, Pearline Roomes, Alvin Nembhard, Dr. and Mrs. Cedric Lynch, Johnny Davis, Millie Hampton, Vinnie Perrin, Jerome Wright, Paul Baker, Lawrence Logan, Ernie Garvey, Percival Woods, Winsom Martin and Dr. Elaine and Ben Ealy.
ABOVE: College-bound students with CAFCI President Dennis Wright and motivational speaker Dr. Anthony Lockhart.
