The Nat Moore Foundation awarded nearly $100,000 in scholarships and gifts to 26 South Florida high school graduates. The scholarships will assist the students in paying for expenses associated with their higher education, including tuition and fees, housing, and books and equipment.
“The Foundation’s scholarship programs honor students who have not only excelled academically, but those who have participated in multiple school activities, yet find the time to give back to their communities through volunteer services,” said Nat Moore, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver and founder of the Nat Moore Foundation. “Some of these students also work to help with their family finances. They are an amazing group of smart and community-minded young people.”
Six students will receive a four-year $10,000 award ($2,500 per year for four years) through the Foundation’s 2011 Urban Scholarship Program. Seven students will receive various awards ranging from one-time $1,000 awards (2 students) to four-year $2,000 awards (5 students to receive $500 per year for four years) through the Foundation’s 2011 Clear Channel Outdoor-Nat Moore Foundation Scholarship program, which were awarded to graduates from Miami Edison, Miami Jackson and Miami Northwestern Senior High Schools.
“We received more applications this year than we have had over the last three years combined,” said Bob Pechon, Vice President of the Nat Moore Foundation and Chair of the Scholarship Committee. “All the students were outstanding. We had such difficulty selecting the winners that the Foundation’s Board decided to award additional scholarships and gifts to 13 finalists for the Urban Scholarship Program.”
The Foundation awarded six students with a four-year $4,000 award ($1,000 per year for four years) and seven students received their choice of either an Apple iPad or a Toshiba Satellite laptop computer.
“I appreciate the Nat Moore Foundation’s investment in me,” said Amy Diaz, a recipient of the Urban Scholarship Program, who attended South Miami High School and graduated with a 3.82 non-weighted GPA and more than 1,000 hours of community service. “The scholarship shows that Nat Moore and the Scholarship Committee are confident in my success, which will encourage me to work harder at the Honors College at Florida International University.”
The other award recipients include Shanda Baptiste, Danisha Baro, Adley Calixte, Sonja Castel, Veronica Dagostino, Shanise Desius, Nielsen Dias, Eddleytanny Donne, Sahyli Febles, Jacqueline Futch, Carla Gibbs, Kimberly Joseph, Jade McPherson, Paige Minciele, Andrew Ranglin, Catalina Vanegas, LaRonz Samory Wells and Candice Wright.
Eimy Barranco, Blair Bryce, Megan Cartaya, Cathiana Clement, Joselyn Espinoza, Kimberly Rodriguez and Xavier Rumph will receive either the iPad or the laptop.
To learn more about the Nat Moore Foundation scholarship programs, contact the Foundation by phone at (305) 770-0995, by e-mail at info@natmoorefoundation.net, or visit the website and Facebook pages at www.natmoorefoundation.net and www.facebook.com/NatMooreFoundation.