Founder and Chairman of Related Companies and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross spoke to 275 middle and high school students during a celebratory event June 26 hosted in collaboration with the Foundation for Palm Beach State College at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School.
The event marked the students’ completion of the Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars Program Early College Summer Academy. Those in attendance included students from Bear Lakes, Roosevelt, and Lake Worth middle schools as well as Palm Beach Lakes and Lake Worth high schools.
The Early College Summer Academy is three-weeks of intensive instruction to prepare students for the Accuplacer placement test. It is part of the Emerging Scholars Program, which was created by Related Companies and provides students in grades 7-12 full financial coverage for college readiness instruction, books, fees, testing, transportation as well as academic support, tutoring and more. Upon successful completion of the program, students who pass the Accuplacer are invited to participate in dual enrollment and are eligible to receive a full scholarship to Palm Beach State College.
Since the program began last year at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, 33 students have accepted the Stephen M. Ross Foundation Scholarship and are enrolled at PBSC. According to PBSC Dean of Student Development and Success Dr. Karline Prophete, these numbers are expected to increase each year as students continue to succeed and spread the word.
During the event, PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., sat down with Ross for a Q&A segment where Ross shared why he wanted to invest in education in West Palm Beach, and particularly the Emerging Scholars Program.
“When I look at West Palm Beach and see the opportunities here, I believe they are better than anywhere in the country,” said Ross, who also met one-on-one at the event with some current Emerging Scholars. “You won’t find another place that is growing this much. The companies who are coming here are from almost every area so if students will work hard and earn an education, they will have an abundance of choices to be successful.”
Ross also told students that in addition to education, the key to becoming successful is to find their passion.
“If you have passion and you’re working, you’re not working,” he said. “If you find something you really love, you will be that much more successful. If you don’t know what you want to do, experiment and you’ll eventually find it.”
Ross is excited that the Emerging Scholars Program is helping do just that, exposing students to college early so they can explore different careers, better understand themselves and set goals. Many students are saying the program has transformed their outlook on their future, including Hannah Laurence.
“I didn’t think that I could pass the Accuplacer test but now I know that I can and I’m looking forward to studying dermatology because I know I will do well.”
Another student, Xazha Belizaroff, said “This program helped me with my confidence and improve my math and reading skills. I also wasn’t sure what I needed to do to prepare for college. This program guided me through those steps and supported me along the way.”
During the celebration, students also received certificates of completion, heard from a panel of eight students on their academy experience, and watched several performances including one from the Palm Beach Lakes Ram Regiment Band. Others who spoke included Bear Lakes Middle School Principal Dr. Kirk Howell, Prophete and Emerging Scholars Program Coordinator Jeneka Admore.
The vision is for every Emerging Scholar is to graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree.