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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.
The Miami Foundation
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.
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.
“Establishing a scholarship with The Miami Foundation is one way we keep the spirit of our brother alive,” said Michael Epstein, representing the Alan R. Epstein ‘Reach for the Stars’ Scholarship. It was created in memory of Alan Epstein, who died in a car crash in 2018 while returning from the University of Florida.
“Each year, it’s a joy to select students who embody Alan’s vision, drive, and academic promise,” Michael Epstein said. “This scholarship is about more than financial support; it’s about students knowing their community sees them, believes in them, and recognizes the obstacles they’ve overcome. We welcome every eligible student to apply.”
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.
“Distributing scholarships to provide resources to well-deserving students in Miami? Challenge accepted!” said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “We 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.”
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.
Band presents a musical voyage
The Greater Miami Symphonic Band will perform its “February Fantasy” 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.
Selections will range from buoyant operetta and beloved Broadway tunes to “cinematic heroism and sweeping symphonic landscapes across oceans, rivers, and the depths of imagination.”
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
Feeding South Florida seeks student art
The seventh annual “Feed Your Creativity” art competition, hosted by Feeding South Florida, is now underway.
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’s semi-trailer trucks — a 36-foot moving billboard that travels throughout the community. Artwork submissions will be accepted through April 30.
“For seven years running, our ‘Feed Your Creativity’ Art Competition has given students across South Florida a powerful platform to shine a light on hunger,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida.
“As we kick off our ‘Summer Hunger Ends Here’ campaign, we’re reminded that when school lets out, too many children lose their lifeline to nutritious meals,” Vélez said. “This 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.”
The “Food That Connects” theme highlights the importance of how food connects us all, while raising awareness about summer hunger.
Summer months are some of the most difficult times for many South Florida families when children don’t have access to free or reduced-price school meals. More than 300,000 kids here rely on meals during the school year.
Organizers said the artwork should inspire others and help individuals understand the importance of sharing meals and supporting individuals in our community.
Student artists are encouraged to use bold colors and incorporate the colors of orange, green, yellow, lime and fuchsia in their art. For more, including the competition toolkit, key dates and how to submit final artwork online, visit feedingsouthflorida.org/fyc26
Congratulations, Sharks!
Coach Eric Marshall wants everyone to know how the Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School Sharks swim team recently defeated four other schools to claim its eighth straight boys and girls county title.
“The Sharks swim team has been dominant over the last decade winning 10 of the last 11 county titles,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud.”
Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
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Christina Mayo
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