MIAMI – In a celebratory ceremony at Miami Edison Senior High School on Monday, Sun Life Financial made an official check presentation to Sun Life Rising Star Award recipients, Junior Appo and the Little Haiti Optimist Club (LHOC). The organization received $50,000 to implement the Road Map to Success Program at Miami Edison Senior High School and student, Junior Appo was awarded a college scholarship check for $5,000. The Road Map to Success Program will provide assistance with college application, career exploration, financial aid application and access to scholarship opportunities to 40 graduating seniors this academic school year.
The Sun Life Financial Rising Star program is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for students and education-based nonprofit organizations that support them in our nation’s under-served metropolitan areas. Now in its fifth year, Sun Life recognizes the remarkable achievements of all Sun Life Rising Star Award recipients, and celebrates these exceptional students and non-profit organizations for their continued dedication to education.
John Hak, Regional Sales Manager for Sun Life Financial, Nat Moore, Senior Vice President of Special Projects and Alumni Relations for the Miami Dolphins, joined by Miami Dolphins player, Jamar Taylor, Dolphins cheerleaders and front office executives were at Miami Edison Senior High School to surprise the student winner of the Rising Star Award, Junior Appo with a $5,000 scholarship check, and to officially recognize the Little Haiti Optimist Club as the 2014 Rising Star Award winner with a check of $50,000. Accepting the award on behalf of Little Haiti Optimist Club were Marie Louissaint, President, Wilkenson “Chef Creole” Sejour, Vice-President, Nancy Levros, Board Member and Beatrice Louissaint, Board Member. Also in attendance was Marlyn Paris-Lawson, President of CRAMS Consulting, LLC, the college readiness service provider for Little Haiti Optimist Club. Representing Miami-Dade County Public Schools were Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Board Member, Carl Nicoleau, Assistant Superintendant, Melba Britto, Administrative Director of Education Transformation and Ms. Try Diggs, Principal of Miami Edison Senior High School.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” said award recipient, Junior Appo. Junior is one of 8 children in his family and in his compelling essay; he spoke of his struggles growing up in public housing in Liberty City. Here is an excerpt from his award winning essay: “…I have a weighted grade point average of 4.69 an unweighted 3.59 and ranked in the top 10 percent of my class. What I love most about my life is my ability to see beyond my current living conditions. I am what most people would consider poor. Growing up in a family of ‘gifted’ children, it is common practice to be told that ‘you have potential.’ After hearing it so often, I began to believe it and that is what I have hung on to. When I look forward into the future, I see myself doing much better than I am today. My ‘potential’ has allowed me to stay focused and determined during hard times. It has given me hope at times when I feel most discouraged and helpless. Being one of eight children in my family meant that nothing is completely mine; so I grew up knowing that sharing everything was part of my life’s routine. We shared everything: clothes, toys, room, books and even the air I breathe. I remember when my older brother had to rush home from school so he could give me his shirt to wear because I had to go to an event that required dressing up. We didn’t have a spare shirt…”
The Rising Star Award winners will also be honored at a special pre-game, on-field ceremony and celebration at the Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens game at Sun Life Stadium on December 7, 2014.
