Six Miami Science Museum Upward Bound Students Awarded Prestigious College Scholarships

May 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Miami Science Museum is proud to recognize Geraldine Placide, Geslande Belus, Sainte-Fanie Jean-Baptiste, Rose-Laure Jean-Joseph and Yolandy Michel five students from the Museum’s Upward Bound Math & Science program, as new members of the Dell Scholars Program. These young women represent five out of the six students in the State of Florida to be awarded $20,000 as well as a new computer, a private scholar networking community, and holistic mentoring resources by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation this year. Additionally, Geraldine Placide is both a Dell and a Gates Scholar, and Viodie Douceur is a Chabela Foundation Scholar.

Miami Science Museum was the first science museum in the nation to become an Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) Center in 1999. The Museum has received consistent funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support UBMS, which has been supplemented by multiple funding sources, including AT&T. The Museum’s youth programs focus on providing low income students with training, mentoring, work experience, academic enrichment and technology skills, while improving their communication skills and self-confidence.

“Each of these young women has been an active member of the MiaSci Upward Bound Math & Science Program, which has contributed to development of their leadership skills, academic excellence and widened their horizons through exposure to multiple career opportunities,” said Gillian Thomas, President and CEO, MiaSci. “We are very proud of these young women and look forward to learning about their continued success in the future.”

In order to apply for the need-based Dell scholarship, students must have at least a 2.4 GPA, participate in a college readiness program for at least two years, and intend to attend an accredited institution of higher education in the fall after their high school graduations. This year, 300 out of the 6,534 applicants were awarded scholarships.

Geraldine Placide was awarded scholarships from both the Dell Scholars Program and the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, which is administered by UNCF—the United Negro College Fund. Geraldine is an independent, strong-willed and dedicated leader for her friends, her community and for her little brother. She has used her influential ways to establish an organization that helps youth in Miami-Dade County improve their self-confidence and value their positive characteristics. Her continuous drive towards bettering herself has allowed her to graduate from Miami Edison Senior High School as the sixth in her class with an EMT certificate. In the fall, she will attend the University of Florida, where she plans to major in Biochemistry with a minor in Business.

The GMS scholarship allows recipients to begin and complete an undergraduate degree in any discipline without financial stresses. GMS Scholars also receive academic support, mentoring and leadership training. To compete for a Gates Millennium Scholars scholarship, students must: be African American, Hispanic American, Asian/Pacific American or American Indian/Alaska Native; be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States; have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED; be applying to enroll as a full-time, degree seeking, first year student at an accredited university located in the U.S.; have a record of community service and leadership; and meet federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.

Geslande Belus joined Upward Bound as a sophomore, and has matured and developed immensely during the past few years. She has worked diligently in school, sharing her passion and knowledge on optometry and participating in various internships to ensure that she benefits fully from every opportunity offered to her. Her continued commitment to the program is a result of the continuous exposure to new opportunities on Saturdays, introductions to new people, and the emotional and academic support. After she graduates from the Health Academy of William H. Turner Technical Institute, she plans to attend either Florida State University or Florida International University.

Sainte-Fanie Jean-Baptiste immigrated to the United States just before high school began. While she could have passed with only speaking Haitian Creole and French as a resident of Little Haiti, within her first year, she was able to learn English, excel in her classes and the pass the FCAT. Initially, she joined the program because she was new to the country and anticipated needing help navigating through the American high school experience. As she states: “the mentors and my friends show that they support us and make it a priority to ensure that we succeed.” In May, she will graduate from the Finance Academy of William H. Turner Technical Institute and plans to attend university in Florida where she intends to major in Business and Hospitality Management.

Rose-Laure Jean-Joseph comes from a family of 10 people, living in Little Haiti, which is filled with abundant love and pride in each child’s unique accomplishments. The summer before she started high school, Rose-Laure eagerly jumped off the school bus when it arrived at the Museum because she was excited about the potential journey on which she was about to embark. This excitement is what has kept her an active member and a leader within the program, as each experience is accompanied by both fun and educational enrichment. Additionally, she has benefited from the helpful and engaging nature of the mentors and program activities. After her graduation as the Valedictorian at Miami Edison Senior High School, she plans to attend the University of Florida and major in a science field.

Yolandy Michel has always been an active leader in her Little Haiti community and a role model for her little brother and friends. Her initiative and community impact is most seen in the organization that she founded to educate young women in Miami and Malawi, Africa about each other’s cultures. She initially joined the program before her junior year in an effort to further improve herself. After being in the program for two years, she states: “now I can officially declare that without this program, I wouldn't have had the experiences, the opportunities and the love that I share with those in my UB family. Most importantly, I wouldn't be who I am without it.” She recently graduated from the School for Advanced Studies with an Associates Degree and plans to attend the University of Florida, where she will major in Music while completing the prerequisite courses required for medical school.

Viodie Douceur received a scholarship from the Chabela Foundation, which provides full scholarships to students in financial need. Students are eligible to apply for this scholarship if they: have at least a 3.5 weighted GPA; plan to attend a four-year college in the fall proceeding their high school graduation; have a minimum 28 ACT score or 1920 SAT score; present evidence of financial need; demonstrate dedication to community service; and do not yet possess a degree from a two- or four-year institution. Viodie has lived in Little Haiti for the majority of her 10 years in the United States, during which time she has mastered English and Spanish; and maintained a persistent drive to succeed in all that she does while developing into an independent, dedicated and focused young lady. These characteristics are seen in her leadership positions at school, where she serves as a Supervising Peer Mentor for the other students. Viodie is also extremely resourceful and has been an active participant of the youth programs for three years, using the academic and emotional guidance provided by the program staff.  She is truly focused on her future and will contribute greatly after she graduates from Young Women’s Preparatory High School and pursues an International Studies degree at the University of Miami in the fall.

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Miami Science Museum aims to make a difference in people’s lives by inspiring them to appreciate the impact that science and technology can have on every facet of our world. For over 60 years, Miami Science Museum’s award-winning educational programs, family-focused exhibits, historic planetarium, and rehabilitative Wildlife Center and Clinic have enriched locals and tourists alike. In 2014, the legacy continues with the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, a new world-class, state-of-the-art facility designed by Grimshaw Architects in the heart of downtown Miami. Miami Science Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. For more information about the Museum, visit www.miamisci.org or call (305) 646-4200.

Miami Science Museum is funded with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.