Page 31 - June JSF report

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA REPORT
Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Graduation Reception (MFOS)
Attendance: Bea Awoniyi on behalf of the Foundation.
More than 250 people gathered on a beautiful evening of Friday, April 21 at the Earl and Christy Powell University House of the University of Florida to celebrate the 2023 MFOS graduates. The 150 MFOS graduates are students who, four years ago, were first in their family to step foot on a university campus. They were tested and tried, but they held their own and are now counted among the success stories. They are now college graduates and UF alums. All came together to celebrate their accomplishment as scholars.
Everyone looked happy, proud, and excited. President Emeritus Bernie Machen with his wife, Chris Machen, beamed with pride as they welcomed guests, faculty, staff, and students to the event. The picture to the right shows Mrs. Machen making sure to spend time with one of the guests before the formal
event started. Leslie Pendleton, a friend of the Foundation, was once again happy to introduce JSF as believers and their worthy investors. The leadership of the MFOS has changed in the last two years since Leslie transitioned so she made sure to introduce me to the new team of staff.
It was a great event to witness the evidence of the investments of the Foundation. Students were encouraged to invite a faculty member or someone who has been part of their journey; many did. Food was plenty but what stood out was the pride and admiration on the faces of everyone
present.
The moment that stood out to me was when I met Jaciah Rashid.
I was going around congratulating
as many scholars as possible. As soon she read my name tag, Jaciah would not let me go. She stopped me and wondered if I had come from JSF to celebrate her. First I did not understand until she
shared that she owes a lot to JSF. That if not because of JSF and the investment the Foundation made in her during her early years at Santaluces High School, she would not have been a member of the graduating class. She was a JSF Scholar in high school. Jaciah and I spent the remainder of the time together until the formal event started. I doubt she brought anyone to the event, but I was overjoyed to be her guest and her cheerleader. I enjoyed spending time with her and she has agreed to write a blog for JSF. Watch for
her story soon. At left is a picture of Jaciah and me.
Page 29 HORIZONS