In a remarkable display of triumph and achievement, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project celebrated its 31st consecutive year of connecting Wilson Scholars from Miami’s public high schools to full scholarship support at prestigious colleges and universities.
The event, known as the 5000 Role Models Wilson Scholars Academic Signing Ceremony, will take place on Sunday, June 9, at 2 PM at Miami Dade College North Campus, School of Justice Multipurpose Room.
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, will lead the ceremony, where the scholars will sign commitment letters to attend 12 institutions of higher learning across four states. The students, dressed in custom-made black suits with signature red and black ties and adorned with Role Model Medallions, will also don caps from their respective schools.
“These graduates hail from 16 Role Model high schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools and one in Duval County,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “The boys, some of whom never dreamed of going to college, have met the ever-increasing standards, not just to gain acceptance, but to qualify for scholarships.”
Students to attend prestigious colleges
The partnership between the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project and the Miami Dolphins further enhances the ceremony, with graduates receiving a 5000 Role Models Backpack and a fully loaded laptop computer to support their transition to college.
The scholars will be attending institutions such as Miami Dade College, University of Miami, Florida International University, and several others, including prestigious HBCUs like Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University.
The annual ceremony is a culmination of years of mentoring and guidance provided by a broad spectrum of community men, starting as early as the third grade in chapters across more than 124 schools.
This longstanding initiative was founded in 1993 by Congresswoman Wilson, then a Miami-Dade Public School Board Member, to guide minority boys along a path to manhood and college, inspired by Frederick Douglass’ principle that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
