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Anabel-Jade Laveus

1x

Finalist

Bio

Hello, I’m Anabel-Jade, a Haitian-American college freshman at Florida International University with a passion for leadership, creativity, and serving others. My faith in Jesus is the foundation of my life and influences the way I lead, encourage, and interact with people. I strive to be a light to others through kindness, humility, authenticity, and service while helping young people grow in confidence and purpose. Throughout high school, I challenged myself academically through the Cambridge AICE Program, where I successfully completed rigorous coursework and exams that strengthened my discipline, perseverance, and work ethic. As a college student, I continue striving for excellence while using my education to positively impact my community and future career. I enjoy content creation, video editing, cooking, hairstyling, and using my creativity to encourage others. I have created videos and digital content for school, ministry, and outreach initiatives while also participating in leadership and mentoring opportunities for young women. Growing up in a Haitian-American household taught me the value of responsibility, faith, and serving others before yourself. My future goals are to continue growing in leadership, faith, and entrepreneurship while helping create positive spaces where teens and young adults can discover their purpose, develop their gifts, and feel encouraged to become the best version of themselves.

Education

Florida International University

Bachelor's degree program
2026 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

Hollywood Hills High School

High School
2021 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Food Production

    • Dream career goals:

      Private Chef

      Sports

      Volleyball

      Junior Varsity
      2021 – 20221 year

      Research

      • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

        Lxir Hair Growth Oil — Assistant, Modeling, Branding, Content Creating, Packaging
        2023 – 2026

      Arts

      • HistoryMakersChurch

        Videography
        2023 – 2023

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Life Meets Learning Academy — Created flyers, videos, and social media content for ministry and outreach Video editor and content creator, ministry, and community projects Mentor and youth leader
        2026 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Core Revival Center — Assisted in organizing and serving at church and community outreach events Served at a Fathers Restoration Event in Tampa focused on family healing and reconciliation Participated in prayer ministry and community fellowship initiatives
        2026 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Exodus Academy — Prayer leader and class facilitator for mentorship gatherings Led classes on the Armor of God, declarations, and spiritual growth
        2025 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Championship Academy of Distinction — assistance
        2021 – Present

      Future Interests

      Volunteering

      Entrepreneurship

      Hines Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. I have been working on building my legacy by developing my own business alongside my sisters. I am the founder of Bel's Kitchen, where our mission is to share the love of God through food, connection, and faith. I'm a private chef and have cooked for several events with up to one-hundred thirty guests in attendance. We are content creators that share our produced or recreated food recipes online to various social media platforms. I also plan on launching my own cookbook later this year. I'm pursuing my marketing degree to not only teach me skills that will further develop myself, but for the purpose of helping others as well. It is still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I'd like these young women to realize that they are able to build something they are proud of rooted from their passions. I plan to send care packages, foods, clothes to the people in undeveloped third world countries and serve on missionary trips. I believe this idea is what transpired the interest in marketing within me. With all of that being said, the accomplishments I have achieved, whether it was in academics, leadership, or personal growth, have already developed the start of the legacy I am aiming to create. They have taught me that there is always something new to learn, new challenges to overcome and new ways to improve myself. I'm now currently a full-time student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I'd like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." By granting me this scholarship, you would not only be investing in my education, but also in my mission to encourage others, reach my community, and pay my blessings forward. I am highly appreciative of your support of my future endeavors and I am confident that I can prove to be a good investment in knowledge with this scholarship.
      Christian Fitness Association General Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. From the beginning of my academic career, I've sought to pursue everything I attempted with excellence. I believe in the saying, "If you do it right the first time, you won't have to do it again," and that has stuck with me. There was always a sense of shock that came over me when I noticed other students failing intentionally or lacking ambition. As the eldest sister of three, I had to learn quickly how to balance responsibilities as well as academics. As I got older and the workload increased, I only became better at managing it. My experience as an intern for a successful business owner has enhanced my marketing skills, through content creation and attending workshops. Additionally, I obtained over 400 community service hours. Speaking at school fairs, mentoring youth, and providing food to low income households, are just a few of many events that have prepared me in becoming well-rounded. This has all shaped me for the path and major that I am taking now! In the last two years of high school, I transferred into the AICE Cambridge Program, which would require me to pass seven Cambridge classes and exams to become eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship. The average pace of the program is usually three or four years, with students starting as underclassmen. I took the challenge of starting during my junior and junior year, taking 8 AS Level courses, along with my other rigorous courses, despite many people underestimating my capabilities. I passed all of the exams by the Grace of God, with my mother as my biggest supporter. through my success now, I want to share hope with others that difficult trials build resilient people. Beyond academics, I have been working on building my legacy by developing my own business alongside my sisters. I am the founder of Bel's Kitchen, where our mission is to share the love of God through food, connection, and faith. I am a private chef and have cooked for several events with up to one-hundred thirty guests in attendance. We are content creators that share our produced or recreated food recipes online to various social media platforms. I also plan on launching my own cookbook later this year. I am pursuing my marketing degree to not only teach me skills that will further develop myself, but for the purpose of helping others as well. It is still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I would like these young women to realize that they are able to build something they are proud of rooted from their passions. I plan to send care packages, foods, clothes to the people in undeveloped third world countries and serve on missionary trips. I believe this idea is what transpired the interest in marketing within me. Along with building my business, I am also assisting my mother as her marketing manager for her new book release. I have designed and created material for her such as bookmarks, prayer cards, and digital documents. I've also managed her social media pages and created content and videos to attract an online audience. What I’m experiencing before officially entering my major has been indispensable towards anchoring my steps into a new season of my life. With all of that being said, the accomplishments I have achieved, whether it was in academics, leadership, or personal growth, have already developed the start of the legacy I am aiming to create. They have taught me that there is always something new to learn, new challenges to overcome and new ways to improve myself. I am now currently a full-time student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I want to be an entrepreneur and inspiration to serve as an encouragement to others, who are overlooked, to step into their purpose no matter who doubts them. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." By granting me this scholarship, you would not only be investing in my education, but also in my mission to encourage others, reach my community, and pay my blessings forward. I am highly appreciative of your support of my future endeavors and I am confident that I can prove to be a good investment in knowledge with this scholarship.
      Patricia Lindsey Jackson Foundation - Eva Mae Jackson Scholarship of Education
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. Early this April, we went on a four hour trip to Tampa, Florida, to volunteer at a Father's event that was focused on guiding men in a biblical aspect of overcoming challenges in fatherhood and offering free events to spend quality time with their kids. The fathers were impacted, deliverance from bondage was in the room, and most importantly, the presence of the Holy Spirit was there. It was such a blessing in itself to be part of something that shifted lives and reunited families. Just being in that environment and having that opportunity to build my leadership and nurturing abilities really revealed to me the ministry that Jesus led here on earth. God has stretched my capacity in a lot of ways this year and has been teaching me the beauty of washing the feet of His people and how it has a way of transforming your heart. Additionally, my family and I are building a nonprofit organization that focuses on creating a welcoming space that invites teens and young adults to discover their purpose on this earth. It’s a community that helps you learn about yourself, how to hear the voice of God, understand the gifts that God placed on the inside of you, and see how those gifts connect to your purpose in life. We are creating a space surrounded by people who are on fire for God — an iron-sharpening-iron environment where everyone pushes each other to be more like Jesus. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only one to defeat sin. You don’t have to be perfect because God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for a willing heart. Beyond the nonprofit, I have been working on building my legacy by developing my own business alongside my sisters. I am the founder of Bel's Kitchen, where our mission is to share the love of God through food, faith, and connection. I'm a private chef and have cooked for several events with up to 130 guests. We are content creators that share recreated food recipes online. I plan on launching my own cookbook later this year. I am pursuing my marketing degree to not only teach me skills that will further develop myself, but for the purpose of still serving others. It's still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I would like these women to realize that they are able to build something they are proud of rooted from their passions.I believe that the idea to serve and inspire others is what essentially transpired the interest of business marketing within me. Instagram: main: @anabeljadee |business: @bels.kitchen1 Tiktok: main:@.ana4reall| business @belskitchen1
      Bulkthreads.com's "Let's Aim Higher" Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. My family and I are building a nonprofit organization that focuses on creating a welcoming space that invites teens and young adults to discover their purpose on this earth and what gifts God has placed on the inside of them. It’s a community that helps you learn about yourself, how to hear the voice of God, understand the gifts that God placed on the inside of you, and see how those gifts connect to your purpose in life. We are working to create a space surrounded by people who are on fire for God — an iron-sharpening-iron environment where everyone pushes each other to be more like Jesus. It’s real, relatable, and focused on developing discipline, confidence, and a stronger relationship with God while discovering what you’re called to do on the earth. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only one to defeat sin. You don’t have to be perfect because God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for a willing heart. There needs to be willing heart even to be the one to build havens like this. God is calling us to go back to the original design and serving the people is how we do that.
      Forever90 Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. Early this April, we went on a four hour trip to Tampa, Florida, to volunteer at a Father's event that was focused on guiding men in a biblical aspect of overcoming challenges in fatherhood and offering free events to spend quality time with their kids. The fathers were impacted, deliverance from bondage was in the room, and most importantly, the presence of the Holy Spirit was there. It was such a blessing in itself to be part of something that shifted lives and reunited families. Just being in that environment and having that opportunity to build my leadership and nurturing abilities really revealed to me the ministry that Jesus led here on earth. God has stretched my capacity in a lot of ways this year and has been teaching me the beauty of washing the feet of His people and how it has a way of transforming your heart. Additionally, my family and I are building a nonprofit organization that focuses on creating a welcoming space that invites teens and young adults to discover their purpose on this earth. It’s a community that helps you learn about yourself, how to hear the voice of God, understand the gifts that God placed on the inside of you, and see how those gifts connect to your purpose in life. We are creating a space surrounded by people who are on fire for God — an iron-sharpening-iron environment where everyone pushes each other to be more like Jesus. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only one to defeat sin. You don’t have to be perfect because God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for a willing heart.
      Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. Early this April, we went on a four hour trip to Tampa, Florida, to volunteer at a Father's event that was focused on guiding men in a biblical aspect of overcoming challenges in fatherhood and offering free events to spend quality time with their kids. The fathers were impacted, deliverance from bondage was in the room, and most importantly, the presence of the Holy Spirit was there. It was such a blessing in itself to be part of something that shifted lives and reunited families. Just being in that environment and having that opportunity to build my leadership and nurturing abilities really revealed to me the ministry that Jesus led here on earth. God has stretched my capacity in a lot of ways this year and has been teaching me the beauty of washing the feet of His people and how it has a way of transforming your heart. Additionally, my family and I are building a nonprofit organization that focuses on creating a welcoming space that invites teens and young adults to discover their purpose on this earth. It’s a community that helps you learn about yourself, how to hear the voice of God, understand the gifts that God placed on the inside of you, and see how those gifts connect to your purpose in life. We are creating a space surrounded by people who are on fire for God — an iron-sharpening-iron environment where everyone pushes each other to be more like Jesus. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only one to defeat sin. You don’t have to be perfect because God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for a willing heart.
      Our Destiny Our Future Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian-American household. The accomplishment of earning my degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending FIU for a BBA in Marketing. I've realized that grasping the importance of knowledge and seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about reaching the top or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do. In Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That doesn't mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. Early this April, we went on a four-hour trip to Tampa, Florida, to volunteer at a Father's event that focused on guiding men in a biblical aspect of overcoming challenges in fatherhood and providing a space to spend quality time with their kids. The fathers were impacted, deliverance was in the room, and most importantly, many encountered Jesus. It was such a blessing in itself to be part of something that shifted lives and reunited families. Just being in that environment and building my leadership and nurturing abilities really revealed to me the ministry that Jesus led here on earth. God has stretched my capacity in a lot of ways this year and has been teaching me the beauty of washing the feet of His people. Additionally, my family and I are building a nonprofit organization that focuses on creating a welcoming space that invites teens and young adults to discover their purpose on this earth. It’s a community that helps you learn about yourself, how to hear the voice of God, understand the gifts that God placed on the inside of you, and see how those gifts connect to your purpose in life. We are creating a space surrounded by people who are on fire for God — an iron-sharpening-iron environment where everyone pushes each other to be more like Jesus. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only one to defeat sin. You don’t have to be perfect because God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for a willing heart. I am now currently a full-time college student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you.
      Arthur and Elana Panos Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian-American household. The accomplishment of earning my degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending FIU for a BBA in Marketing. I've realized that grasping the importance of knowledge and seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about reaching the top or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do. In Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That doesn't mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. From the beginning of my academic career, I've sought to pursue everything I attempted with excellence. I believe in the saying, "If you do it right the first time, you won't have to do it again," and that has stuck with me. Being raised by immigrants who've had to work so hard for everything being afforded to my sisters and I has been a key component in my mindset. As the eldest sister of three, I had to learn quickly how to balance responsibilities as well as academics. As I got older and the workload increased, I only became better at managing it. My experience as an intern for a successful business owner has enhanced my marketing skills, through content creation and attending workshops. Additionally, I obtained over 400 community service hours in high school. Speaking at school fairs, mentoring youth, and providing food to low income households, are just a few of many events that have prepared me in becoming well-rounded. This has all shaped me for the path and major that I am taking now! In the last two years of high school, I transferred into the AICE Cambridge Program, which would require me to pass seven Cambridge classes and exams to become eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship. The average pace of the program is usually four years, starting as underclassmen. I took the challenge of starting during junior and year, taking 8 AS Level courses, along with my other rigorous courses, despite many people underestimating my capabilities. I passed all the exams by the Grace of God, with my mother as my biggest supporter. I want to share hope with others that difficult trials build resilient people. I am now currently a full-time college student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you.
      Sgt. Albert Dono Ware Memorial Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge and humbly seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do, as He said in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That does not mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. Early this April, we went on a four hour trip to Tampa, Florida, to volunteer at a Father's event that was focused on guiding men in a biblical aspect of overcoming challenges in fatherhood and offering free events to spend quality time with their kids. The fathers were impacted, deliverance from bondage was in the room, and most importantly, the presence of the Holy Spirit was there. It was such a blessing in itself to be part of something that shifted lives and reunited families. Just being in that environment and having that opportunity to build my leadership and nurturing abilities really revealed to me the ministry that Jesus led here on earth. God has stretched my capacity in a lot of ways this year and has been teaching me the beauty of washing the feet of His people and how it has a way of transforming your heart. Additionally, my family and I are building a nonprofit organization that focuses on creating a welcoming space that invites teens and young adults to discover their purpose on this earth and what gifts God has placed on the inside of them. It’s a community that helps you learn about yourself, how to hear the voice of God, understand the gifts that God placed on the inside of you, and see how those gifts connect to your purpose in life. We are working to create a space surrounded by people who are on fire for God — an iron-sharpening-iron environment where everyone pushes each other to be more like Jesus. It’s real, relatable, and focused on developing discipline, confidence, and a stronger relationship with God while discovering what you’re called to do on the earth. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only one to defeat sin. You don’t have to be perfect because God isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for a willing heart. There needs to be willing heart even to be the one to build havens like this. God is calling us to go back to the original design and serving the people is how we do that. Beyond the nonprofit, I have been working on building my legacy by developing my own business alongside my sisters. I am the founder of Bel's Kitchen, where our mission is to share the love of God through food, faith, and connection. I'm a private chef and have cooked for several events with up to 130 guests. We are content creators that share recreated food recipes online. I plan on launching my own cookbook later this year. I am pursuing my marketing degree to not only teach me skills that will further develop myself, but for the purpose of still serving others. It is still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I would like these women to realize that they are able to build something they are proud of rooted from their passions.I believe that the idea to serve and inspire others is what essentially transpired the interest of business marketing within me.
      Michele L. Durant Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment of earning my college degree, would not solely be for me—but for my family and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. From the beginning of my academic career, I've sought to pursue everything I attempted with excellence. I believe in the saying, "If you do it right the first time, you won't have to do it again," and that has stuck with me. As the eldest sister of three, I had to learn quickly how to balance responsibilities as well as academics. As I got older and the workload increased, I only became better at managing it. My experience as an intern for a successful business owner has enhanced my marketing skills, through content creation and attending workshops. Additionally, I obtained over 400 community service hours. Speaking at school fairs, mentoring youth, and providing food to low income households, are just a few of many events that have prepared me in becoming well-rounded. This has all shaped me for the path and major that I am taking now! Beyond academics, I have been working on building my legacy by developing my own business alongside my sisters. I am the founder of Bel's Kitchen, where our mission is to share the love of God through food, connection, and faith. I am a private chef and have cooked for several events with up to one-hundred thirty guests in attendance. We are content creators that share our produced or recreated food recipes online to various social media platforms. I also plan on launching my own cookbook later this year. I am pursuing my marketing degree to not only teach me skills that will further develop myself, but for the purpose of helping others as well. It is still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I would like these young women to realize that they are able to build something they are proud of rooted from their passions. I plan to send care packages, foods, clothes to the people in undeveloped third world countries and serve on missionary trips. I believe this idea is what transpired the interest in marketing within me. In all, the accomplishments I have achieved, have already developed the start of the legacy I am aiming to create. They have taught me that there is always something new to learn, new challenges to overcome and new ways to improve myself. I'm now currently a full-time student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." By granting me this scholarship, you would not only be investing in my education, but also in my mission to encourage others, reach my community, and pay my blessings forward.
      Minority Women in LAS Scholarship
      Education and service has always been the top priority in my Haitian-American household. The accomplishment of earning my degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending FIU for a BBA in Marketing. I've realized that grasping the importance of knowledge and seeking to serve others is the key to becoming successful. It was never about reaching the top or gaining everything for yourself. It's about community and what God has entrusted us to do. In Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply." That doesn't mean to just advance yourself, but be the gap in the bridge for others and pay your blessings forward. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. After graduating college, I believe God has called me to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. Servitude is a heart posture that I've carried before I could put it into words. My mom taught me in the kitchen from early on that "the one serving others is the last to eat." My love for serving really transpired inside the kitchen and now I carry that motto with me in everything that I do. From the beginning of my academic career, I've sought to pursue everything I attempted with excellence. I believe in the saying, "If you do it right the first time, you won't have to do it again," and that has stuck with me. Being raised by immigrants who've had to work so hard for everything being afforded to my sisters and I has been a key component in my mindset. As the eldest sister of three, I had to learn quickly how to balance responsibilities as well as academics. As I got older and the workload increased, I only became better at managing it. My experience as an intern for a successful business owner has enhanced my marketing skills, through content creation and attending workshops. Additionally, I obtained over 400 community service hours in high school. Speaking at school fairs, mentoring youth, and providing food to low income households, are just a few of many events that have prepared me in becoming well-rounded. This has all shaped me for the path and major that I am taking now! In the last two years of high school, I transferred into the AICE Cambridge Program, which would require me to pass seven Cambridge classes and exams to become eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship. The average pace of the program is usually four years, starting as underclassmen. I took the challenge of starting during junior and year, taking 8 AS Level courses, along with my other rigorous courses, despite many people underestimating my capabilities. I passed all the exams by the Grace of God, with my mother as my biggest supporter. I want to share hope with others that difficult trials build resilient people. I am now currently a full-time college student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you.
      7023 Minority Scholarship
      Education has always been a top priority in my Haitian American household. The accomplishment attributed to earning my college degree, three years from now, would not solely be for me—but for my family, friends, community, and the Kingdom of God. I am a second generation Haitian-American residing in Florida, who is currently attending Florida International University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing. I've come to the realization that grasping the importance of knowledge is the key to becoming successful. It was never about being the top of the class or earning high exam scores. Education is a rooted foundation of growth and endless possibilities. I've applied this from early on and it is an embedded notion that will follow me as I continue to build my legacy. As a college graduate, I plan to use this education to not only grow my developing business, but to be a light to others, offer mentoring programs, give back to the community, and share the glory of the Lord. I have been working on building my legacy by developing my own business alongside my sisters. I am the founder of Bel's Kitchen, where our mission is to share the love of God through food, faith, and connection. I am a private chef and have cooked for several events with up to one-hundred thirty guests in attendance. We are content creators that share our produced or recreated food recipes online to various social media platforms. I plan on launching my own cookbook later this year. I'm pursuing my marketing degree to not only teach me skills that will further develop myself, but for the purpose of helping others as well. It is still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I'd like these young women to realize that they are able to build something they are proud of rooted from their passions. I plan to send care packages, foods, clothes to the people in undeveloped third world countries and serve on missionary trips. I believe the idea to serve and inspire others is what transpired the interest of business within me. With all of that being said, the accomplishments I have achieved, whether it was in academics, leadership, or personal growth, have already developed the start of the legacy I am aiming to create. They have taught me that there is always something new to learn, new challenges to overcome and new ways to improve myself. I am now currently a full-time college student, working on building my education and pouring into my self-growth. Having extra help will not only support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business. I want to be an entrepreneur and inspiration to serve as an encouragement to others, who are overlooked, to step into their purpose no matter who doubts them. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." By granting me this scholarship, you would not only be investing in my education, but also in my mission to encourage others, reach my community, and pay my blessings forward. I am highly appreciative of your support of my future endeavors and I am confident that I can prove to be a good investment in knowledge with this scholarship.
      Ella Katherine Harris Memorial Scholarship for Bakers
      At an early age in life, my qualities and ambitions set me apart from many of my other peers. I was always impelled to focus on school, maintain high standards, and carry out everything I do with excellence. As the eldest of three daughters, I carry work ethics such as reliability, organization, and pursuing excellence! My experience as an intern for a successful business owner has enhanced my marketing skills, through content creation and attending workshops. Additionally, I obtained over 400 community service hours. Speaking at school fairs, mentoring youth, and providing food to low income households, are just a few of many events that have prepared me in becoming well-rounded. When first entering high school, my plan was to register for dual enrollment, to graduate with an associates degree in hand. However, connecting with my counselor at the end of sophomore year, the program that offered this degree was no longer available, due to low funding. I transferred to the AICE Cambridge Program, which would require me to pass seven Cambridge classes and exams, to become eligible to receive the Bright Futures Scholarship. The average pace of the program is usually three or four years, with students starting as underclassmen. I took the challenge of starting during my junior year, taking four AS Level courses, along with my other rigorous courses, despite many people underestimating my capabilities. I passed all the four exams, by the Grace of God, and my mother being my biggest supporter. I took four additional AICE classes senior year and even through my success now, I want to share hope with others, that difficult trials build resilient people. The summer of sophomore year, my sisters and I created the vision for Bel’s Kitchen. Our business mission is to share the love of God through food and connection. We are content creators that share our produced or recreated food recipes online to various social media platforms. Bel’s kitchen offers private catering services to events and we are working on finalizing our product for sale: Haitian Pikliz. Our business is meant to be more than just food; it is a ministry that will one day impact many. It is still a work in progress but I would like to inspire others through my business and one day, guide young women, like myself, that don't realize their full potential. I plan to send care packages, foods, clothes to the people in undeveloped third world countries and serve on missionary trips. I believe this idea is what transpired the interest in marketing within me. I am in the process of creating a cookbook with healthy recipes, building our website, and working on perfecting our product. Additionally I am assisting my mom as her marketing manager for her upcoming book launch. I have designed and created material for her such as bookmarks, prayer cards, and digital documents. I've also managed her social media pages and created content and videos to attract an online audience. What I’m experiencing before officially entering my marketing major has been indispensable towards anchoring my steps to a new season of my life. Overall, earning this scholarship will not only help support my education, but will also equip me to continue fulfilling my purpose and expand my business, essentialling paying my blessings forward. I want to be an entrepreneur and inspiration to serve as an encouragement to others, who are overlooked, to step into their purpose no matter who doubts them. I would like to be a reminder to minorities, like myself, that no matter how inadequate you feel, there is a greater purpose within you.