Ric Green, Broward Education Foundation Board Member; Jammal and Amber Davenport; Christina Fischer, Broward Education Foundation Board Chair.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – The steep cost of higher education is forcing many of today’s graduating high school seniors to delay their dreams of attending college.

But because of Broward Education Foundation and its generous donors, 207 Broward County Public School seniors will attend college this fall with scholarships ranging from $500 to four year Florida Prepaid plans. At its Scholarship Award Ceremony, presented by BrightStar Credit Union, Broward Education Foundation awarded more than $750,000 worth of scholarships.

Keynote speaker, scholarship donor and Broward County resident Jammal Davenport delivered a moving message that inspired and energized students, parents, donors and mentors in the audience. Davenport recalled the challenges he faced growing up, raised by a single teenage mother surrounded by negative social influences. He persevered despite the adversities he faced, graduated from college and today gives back through the “Sprouting Scholar Award” scholarships he and his wife Amber established with Broward Education Foundation. They created the scholarships for those who possess academic potential to be exceptional students.

"Some scholars have not sprouted to their fullest potential, not because they cannot perform academically but because they simply have not had the best start to success. Students are a harvest of knowledge waiting to sprout in better conditions," said Davenport.  

Broward Education Foundation awards scholarships to qualifying students who fall short of their financial need to pursue a post-secondary education. The scholarships are made possible by the generous support of companies, organizations and individual donors.

“We are driven by the immense need to help our students fulfill their dream of attending college. With the generous support of business and community leaders like Jammal and Amber, we continue to make a profound impact on the students who need it most in our community,” said Broward Education Foundation Board Chair Christina Fischer. “Many times students just need help along the path to success. That’s what we do at Broward Education Foundation. Through our game-changing initiatives, we give our Broward County Public School students the best opportunities to excel in and out of the classroom. We congratulate all of our scholarship recipients and wish them the best of everything in college and in life.”

Over the last 34 years, through a partnership of Broward Education Foundation, the School Board of Broward County, local universities, businesses and community leaders, more than 5,500 scholarships totaling nearly $12 million have been awarded to provide Broward County Public School students who have the desire to pursue a post-secondary education with the opportunity to fulfill that dream.

For more information, call 754-321-2030, visit www.browardedfoundation.org, like our Facebook page at facebook.com/browardeducationfoundation or follow us on twitter @BrowardEdFound.