At MWYF, we believe that a strong future begins with opportunity, preparation, and a support system. Through the guidance of our pro-bono College & Career Coach, Ms. Cynthia Chomiak, our senior students are taking steps to achieve their dreams by applying to colleges, earning scholarships, and developing the life skills necessary to succeed beyond high school.
This fall, Ivey will attend Florida International University in Miami. She has earned the Florida Medallion Scholarship through the Bright Futures program, covering 75% of her tuition and fees! Ivey continues to challenge herself, retaking standardized tests in hopes of qualifying for the Florida Academic Scholarship, bringing her one step closer to full tuition coverage on top of her MWYF scholarship dollars. Ivey’s path to college is even more impressive when you consider her achievements: she was accepted into 25 colleges and universities, including Howard University, Florida State University, University of Florida, University of South Florida, Louisiana State University, Texas Christian University, and the University of Central Florida.
For Breana, the journey to college came with a major decision. Originally planning to enlist in the military, she changed course late in the year and will now be attending Bethune-Cookman University. Her visit to the campus during MWYF’s Spring Break College & Career Exploration Trip helped her find a school where she knew she would fit in. Breana is the recipient of many MWYF Scholarships throughout her time in MWYF programs. In her sophomore year, she was awarded the Rick Murray “Don’t Quit” Scholarship, acknowledging a student who has persevered through adversity or reached a difficult goal. With the encouragement of Ms. Chomiak and the MWYF team, Breana’s determination has opened new doors for her future and we’re so excited to see where her skills take her into her future!
Valor has also been working diligently with Ms. Chomiak all school year, now reviewing his college offers. With acceptances from more than 18 colleges, Valor's most exciting news is his acceptance to the University of Florida as a Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship, which comes with a full-ride on top of his MWYF scholarships. He is leaning toward accepting this opportunity and is currently finalizing his decision on becoming a Florida Gator! Valor is a national recipient of the 2022 National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Florida Essay Contest, where he was awarded a trip to New York City and visited the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
As our seniors prepare for their next chapters, Ms. Chomiak has begun working with our juniors to ensure they’re college and career ready. Every college-bound junior has completed a “Writing the College Essay” session, opened a Common Application, and is registered for standardized testing this summer! With guidance and structure already in place, they are gaining a significant head start on their journey.