A Day In The Life | 2024 FAMU Scholarship Ceremony

Five high school seniors were awarded $1,000 scholarships each to assist their collegiate endeavors at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in the upcoming semesters.

The Alachua County chapter of FAMU's Alumni Association hosted its annual scholarship celebration at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church at 120 SE Williston Rd. on Saturday.

Boderick Johnson, the president of the Alachua County chapter, congratulated the scholarship recipients and their parents for helping them be eligible for the scholarship.

"We are proud to recognize you," Johnson said. "Thank you to the parents who sacrificed financially, physically, and mentally. Thank you to the students for choosing to be future rattlers."

The students who received the scholarships were:

• Ayanna Hampton of Eastside High School

• Che' Reed Jr. of Eastside High School

• Leilani Mills of Eastside High School

• Claudette Strickland of Gainesville High School

• Synteria Williams of Hawthorne High School

"We are so blessed to have given away five scholarships," Johnson said. "Every year, we average about two to three scholars. Our goal is to give more money to students every year."

Previous scholarship recipient So'Unique High is a FAMU sophomore and was a graduate of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School.

High congratulated her future classmates and gave words of encouragement to help them succeed during their next 4 years at FAMU.

"Keep God first," High said. "Always encourage yourself. A lot of us are here from the strength of other people. People around you are an example of trailblazers in the community."

"Always remember who you are," High said. "Stay grounded and keep your education first. I know that you all will do great things as my new classmates and strive to be leading pioneers."

Another previous scholarship recipient, Ian Rentz, shared advice on what can help the incoming freshman succeed as a college student.

Rentz is also a FAMU sophomore and graduated from Buchholz High School.

"The main thing is education and graduating," Rentz said. "Take your time. Anything getting in the way is not right for you."

Rentz stressed the importance of building relationships soon.

"Network early," he said. "Relationships are made early on. You're here to make an impact. Join clubs, grow and excel as an individual, so you have something to lean on."

Gussie Campbell, the scholarship committee chairperson, said that the board reviewed 38 applicants, and within 2 weeks, they made their decision to select the five recipients.

Campbell introduced each recipient, and they took pictures as they held their scholarship checks.

Myretta Reed accepted the scholarship on behalf of her son, Che' Reed Jr., who had work obligations.

"We are grateful he got the scholarship," she said. "We are thankful for the FAMU-ly he has now, and we are excited for him."

There was a solo performance from Sharon Williams, and afterward, there was a speech from guest speaker Bridgette Gordon, FAMU women's basketball head coach.

Gordon played basketball and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1989.

She was inducted to the Tennessee "Lady Vols" Hall of Fame in 2001, played in the WNBA for the Sacramento Monarchs I'm 1997 to 1998, and won seven Italian National Championships.

"I'm a woman of God," Gordon said. "All of my athletes receive life lessons on and off the court. You must maintain a 3.5 GPA and sit in the first three rows to play for me."

Gordon said basketball can be the tool to improve the condition of players and help them succeed in life.

She said one of her goals is to create a sisterhood among her players, similar to what she had when she attended the University of Tennessee.

Gordon talked about the seven C's that are important to her: culture, character, coachable, confidence, commitment, competitiveness, and class.

She said her nickname is Coach Pressure and said she gives her all to anyone she coaches.

"You have to be coachable and allow me to push you," Gordon said. "I rather be respected than be liked. I want to be the role model I wish I had when I was growing up."

After Gordon's speech, the alumni chapter gave $1,000 to FAMU's women basketball team.

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