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Miami Palmetto Senior High School held a scholarship workshop with Reach for the Stars Scholarship fundholders. Pictured are Nelson Barreto, student engagement intern at The Miami Foundation; Michelle Shirley, CEO of Be Strong International; Stephanie Silva, scholarships manager at The Miami Foundation; Jamie Kolnick, Reach for the Stars Scholarship fundholder; and Michael Epstein, Reach for the Stars Scholarship fundholder.<\/p>\n
The Miami Foundation<\/p>\n
Miami-Dade County college bound students can find scholarships and helpful new resources through The Miami Foundation. More than $2 million is available for eligible students thanks to generous donor contributions.<\/p>\n
The scholarships support those pursuing diverse academic and career paths, including science, the arts, community service, law, and other fields. Application deadlines start in March and continue through May, and students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cEstablishing a scholarship with The Miami Foundation is one way we keep the spirit of our brother alive,\u201d said Michael Epstein, representing the Alan R. Epstein \u2018Reach for the Stars\u2019 Scholarship. It was created in memory of Alan Epstein, who died in a car crash in 2018 while returning from the University of Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year, it\u2019s a joy to select students who embody Alan\u2019s vision, drive, and academic promise,\u201d Michael Epstein said. \u201cThis scholarship is about more than financial support; it\u2019s about students knowing their community sees them, believes in them, and recognizes the obstacles they\u2019ve overcome. We welcome every eligible student to apply.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new tools include a free Financial Aid Help Desk staffed by experts, a college cost calculator, guidance for planning life after graduation, and access to hundreds of additional external scholarships.<\/p>\n
\u201cDistributing scholarships to provide resources to well-deserving students in Miami? Challenge accepted!\u201d said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. \u201cWe want to extend every education tool in our toolbox to Miami students because education changes futures, not just the futures of students, but future employers, parents and community leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, 888 students were able to access scholarships totaling $2.29 million. The Miami Foundation is also inviting individual donors and businesses to establish or contribute to funds to further expand scholarship opportunities. Custom and named scholarships are available. More at miamifoundation.org\/scholarships<\/a>.<\/p>\n Band presents a musical voyage<\/p>\n The Greater Miami Symphonic Band will perform its \u201cFebruary Fantasy\u201d concert at 4 p.m. Feb. 22 at Pinecrest Gardens. The band hopes listeners will go on an unforgettable musical voyage led by guest conductor Seth Carlson.<\/p>\n Selections will range from buoyant operetta and beloved Broadway tunes to \u201ccinematic heroism and sweeping symphonic landscapes across oceans, rivers, and the depths of imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. Each has a $1 convenience fee if purchased online. The ticket includes free admission into the gardens, 11000 SW 57th Ave., after 3 p.m. on the day of the event. More at GMSB.org\/tickets<\/a><\/p>\n Feeding South Florida seeks student art The seventh annual \u201cFeed Your Creativity\u201d art competition, hosted by Feeding South Florida, is now underway.<\/p>\n Elementary, middle and high school students throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties are invited to compete to have their artwork displayed through a wrap on one of Feeding South Florida\u2019s semi-trailer trucks \u2014 a 36-foot moving billboard that travels throughout the community. Artwork submissions will be accepted through April 30.<\/p>\n \u201cFor seven years running, our \u2018Feed Your Creativity\u2019 Art Competition has given students across South Florida a powerful platform to shine a light on hunger,\u201d said Paco V\u00e9lez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we kick off our \u2018Summer Hunger Ends Here\u2019 campaign, we\u2019re reminded that when school lets out, too many children lose their lifeline to nutritious meals,\u201d V\u00e9lez said. \u201cThis competition has grown into something special, a movement where young artists become advocates, using their talents to tell stories that matter and spark conversations that lead to real change in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cFood That Connects\u201d theme highlights the importance of how food connects us all, while raising awareness about summer hunger.<\/p>\n Summer months are some of the most difficult times for many South Florida families when children don\u2019t have access to free or reduced-price school meals. More than 300,000 kids here rely on meals during the school year.<\/p>\n Organizers said the artwork should inspire others and help individuals understand the importance of sharing meals and supporting individuals in our community.<\/p>\n Paco V\u00e9lez celebrates the Feeding South Florida semi-trailer truck wrapped with Nazarena Capdevila\u2019s winning art in 2025. Feeding South Florida <\/p>\n