Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs become future Panthers during PBSC Academic Signing Day

Palm Beach State College welcomed eight of the top members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County to its Lake Worth campus on Wednesday, April 30, for the College’s third annual Academic Signing Day luncheon celebration.

During the event, the high school seniors, who were candidates for the Youth of the Year award at their respective clubs, received a PBSC scholarship, toured campus and learned about the College’s 160 plus programs and student support services.

The future Panthers, who have served in community service projects at their school, club and community, are: Desmond Everett, Anaya Washington, Jalerriah Sharpe, Mari Liz Crespo, Moises Rivero, Laurie Veillard, Tiesha Bailey and Dieunifer Destin.

Serving as mistress of ceremonies was Executive Dean of the Belle Glade campus and Dean of Student Services for the Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves campuses Dr. LaTanya McNeal.

Joining McNeal, who is also the past chair of the Smith & Moore Family Teen Center in Belle Glade and Marjorie S. Fisher Boys & Girls Club advisory board where she currently still serves as an advisory board member, in giving remarks was Barbara Cipriano, provost and dean of the Lake Worth campus; Dr. Tunjarnika L. Coleman-Ferrell, PBSC’s vice president of academic affairs; Jaene Miranda, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County; PBSC Student Trustee Ryan Steeghs; Chilondra Sheppard, corporate partnership director of the Boys and Girls Clubs; Brian Stinson, assistant dean of student services at the Belle Glade campus; and PBSC President Ava. L. Parker, J.D.

This year’s recipients also heard from former scholarship awardee from the 2023 class and PBSC civil engineering student Jeremiah Jean-Jacques.

“This scholarship was more than just financial support,” said Jean-Jacques. “It’s a reminder that hard work, determination and community can make anything possible. I am grateful to PBSC and the Boys & Girls Clubs for believing in students like me, and I thank them for continuing to invest in students’ futures.”

Further reiterating Jean-Jacques sentiments was Steeghs who added “Your scholarship is more than just a check, it’s a key to opportunity, confidence and a future full of possibility.”

Also showing her support was Miranda who thanked the College for their ongoing partnership and expressed her pride in the recipients.

“Today, is more than a celebration. It is a victory. Behind every single signature today is a story of late nights, early mornings, and quiet strength. Moments when quitting felt much easier but you kept going. That’s what makes this moment so powerful.”

Before each of the recipients signed their scholarship commitments, they were led through a verbal affirmation by Stinson and Sheppard who also spoke to the parents in attendance.

“You are signing up for your student to be ready, to be an independent thinker, to remember the values you taught them and to understand what life looks like outside of your home.”

Many honorees such as Rivero and Sharp weren’t sure they were going to attend PBSC. However, receiving this scholarship solidified their decision. Rivero, a Wellington High School senior, wants to study criminal justice at PBSC and Sharp from Inlet Grove High School will study business and administration.

Before the end of the event, Parker expressed her excitement for the students choosing PBSC.

“There are so many different things we can choose to do with our lives. I’m excited that even though you had many choices, you chose the best option which is to join Palm Beach State where we have amazing faculty and many different and rewarding career pathways.”

To see photos from the luncheon, view the Academic Signing Day Flickr album.