MIAMI (WSVN) - Years of hard work have paid off for one South Florida student who will become be the first member of her family to head to college.
That teen has overcome more than most to achieve her goals, and she’s now going with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money.
The Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club awarded a $30,000 scholarship to a graduating senior from Booker T. Washington High School, Tuesday. The winner is no average student. “Our scholarship winner is a student that is required to excel in scholarship, leadership, service, and one who possesses a good moral character,” said Rick Freedman with the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club.
Four years of hard work finally paid off big time. “This person that I am about to announce does not know that they will be our next four-year, fully-paid college scholarship winner,” Freedman said.
The suspense grew as students packed the auditorium hoping to hear their name. “I want to congratulate our 2016 Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club college scholarship winner — Alexis Gabriel.”
Gabriel was brought to tears as she walked toward the stage to collect her scholarship. “I could not believe it. I was shocked because some of the other recipients, I know they did well,” she said. “So it’s just like, ‘Me? Why did they choose me?’ But I’m happy they chose me.”
Gabriel is graduating in the top 5 percent of her class with a 4.3 grade point average. She’s collected well over 1,000 community service hours, is a member of numerous school clubs and is enrolled in many advanced placement classes. “I’m going to go to Miami-Dade College. I’m gonna do all four years there,” Gabriel said. “I know they have an amazing nursing program. So that’s what I plan to do.”
The teen wants to stay close to her family during her four years of college. “My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer in January, so I want to stay close to home with her.”
Her mother was unable to witness her big moment because she’s in the hospital. So, they called her to deliver the good news. “Ms. Gabriel, your daughter was just awarded by the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club with a four-year, fully-paid $30,000 college scholarship about five minutes ago,” Freedman said on the phone.
Gabriel’s mother is proud of her daughter’s achievement. Now, this teen is grateful for the bright future ahead of her. “I beat the odds, achieving something great in life,” Gabriel said.
The Kiwanis Club of Biscayne Bay has awarded nearly $150,000 in scholarships throughout Miami-Dade County in the last six years.
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