Service takes many forms. Sometimes it’s mentoring younger students, supporting family members, stepping up as a community leader, or finding ways to help people facing challenges. No matter what form it takes, service has the power to create lasting change.
That’s exactly what the Empowering Greatness Scholarship was designed to recognize.
Recognizing Students Who Lead Through Service
Every year, the Empowering Greatness Scholarship gives us the opportunity to celebrate students who are already making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Their accomplishments extend beyond the classroom and reflect a genuine commitment to leadership, service, and community involvement.
Farah & Farah is proud to introduce our 2026 recipients. This year’s winners are ten outstanding high school seniors from Florida and Georgia who have demonstrated a commitment to helping others, strengthening their communities, and leading by example. While each student’s journey is unique, they all share a dedication to service and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We are proud to recognize their hard work, leadership, and commitment to service as they take the next step toward their future goals.
What Is the Empowering Greatness Scholarship?
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief that “everybody can be great because anybody can serve,” the Empowering Greatness Scholarship was created to support young people who are making a difference in their communities. The program honors students who lead through service, compassion, and a commitment to creating positive change while helping them pursue their educational goals.
Since launching in 2020, the scholarship has helped students across Florida and Georgia take the next step toward higher education. By helping remove financial barriers, the program empowers recipients to focus on their studies, develop their talents, and continue giving back to the communities they call home.
This year’s recipients embody the spirit of the scholarship through their leadership, perseverance, and dedication to helping others. As Farah & Farah founding partner Eddie Farah says, “These students are already creating positive change in their communities. Supporting their educational journeys and seeing what they’ll accomplish next is one of the most rewarding parts of this program.”
Meet Our Florida Scholarship Winners
For five outstanding Florida students, the Empowering Greatness Scholarship provides more than recognition for their hard work and service; it provides a significant step toward achieving their educational goals. Through the scholarship, each recipient will receive two years of college tuition, helping reduce the financial burden of higher education and allowing them to focus on their future.
This opportunity is made possible through Farah & Farah’s continued partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Together, we’re investing in students who have demonstrated leadership, perseverance, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
Elijah Elliott (KIPP Bold City High School, Jacksonville)
Elijah Elliott’s application stood out for its consistent focus on service, leadership, and personal growth. Through a variety of community involvement efforts, he demonstrated a genuine commitment to helping others and making a positive impact. The selection committee was particularly impressed by the range of ways Elijah has chosen to give back.
Liss Rodriguez (Hillsborough High School, Tampa)
Liss Rodriguez shared a heartfelt and authentic story centered on perseverance, personal growth, and service. Her application reflected the experiences that have shaped her journey, including her immigrant background and passion for supporting the well-being of others. Her ability to connect personal experiences to a larger purpose made her application especially compelling.
Margaret Oladokun (Jefferson High School, Tampa)
Margaret Oladokun’s passion for serving others shone through in her application and community involvement efforts. Her experiences highlighted the meaningful role service has played in her life and reflected a strong commitment to leadership and giving back. Her authenticity and enthusiasm when discussing her community work left a lasting impression.
Savannah Bady (Westside High School and FSCJ, Jacksonville)
Savannah Bady’s application immediately stood out for its powerful example of service rooted in compassion, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others. A meaningful experience described in her essay demonstrated patience, initiative, and the lasting impact a single interaction can have on someone’s life. What resonated most was Savannah’s ability to turn that experience into inspiration for future service.
Sergio Benjamin Valdes (Port Charlotte High School, Port Charlotte)
Sergio Benjamin Valdes offered a thoughtful reflection on service and the impact it can have on others. His application highlighted a soccer camp experience that demonstrated leadership, community involvement, and a genuine commitment to helping those around him. His application connected that experience to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of service, illustrating how leadership and community involvement can create meaningful change.
Meet Our Georgia Scholarship Winners
Our five Georgia scholarship recipients have already demonstrated a commitment to leadership, service, and making a positive impact in their communities. Through their dedication to helping others and creating meaningful change, they exemplify the values at the heart of the Empowering Greatness Scholarship.
To support their continued success, each Georgia recipient will receive a scholarship prize package that includes a laptop and other educational resources designed to help them thrive as they pursue their academic and professional goals. We are proud to recognize this year’s Georgia winners and the difference they are already making in the lives of others.
Muna Yassin (Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Conyers, GA)
Muna Yassin submitted one of the most impressive applications of this year’s scholarship cycle. Her essay demonstrated a strong understanding of how education and innovation can be used to solve real-world problems, and she has already begun putting those ideas into action. What made Muna stand out was her ability to connect what she’s learning today to the challenges she hopes to address in the future.
Lady Laura Bahena Diaz (Woodville Tompkins High School, Pooler, GA)
Lady Laura Bahena Diaz shared a deeply personal story that resonated with the selection committee. Through meaningful examples of helping family members, her application reflected a genuine desire to serve others and a strong sense of purpose. Her experiences brought authenticity to her essay and highlighted the impact that compassion and support can have on those closest to us.
Journee Woodard (Central High School, Macon, GA)
Journee Woodard’s application offered a unique perspective on service and community impact. Her focus on youth representation and involvement in local programs demonstrated a commitment to creating opportunities for others while inspiring the next generation. The selection committee was drawn to Journee’s genuine passion for helping young people see themselves represented and supported within their communities.
Antonio Martez Guest (Monroe High School, Albany, GA)
Antonio Martez Guest’s application reflected a strong leadership mindset and a sincere desire to help others succeed. Throughout his essay, he demonstrated an understanding of the importance of service and the role leadership can play in creating positive change. His commitment to supporting those around him and his potential to make a meaningful impact stood out to the selection committee.
Winton Dickerson (Screven County High School, Screven, GA)
Winton Dickerson impressed the selection committee with a clear and thoughtful presentation centered on a real need within his community. His application demonstrated a genuine connection to the people he hopes to serve and a strong understanding of how service can create lasting impact. What made Winton’s submission especially compelling was its authenticity.
Investing in the Next Generation
The Empowering Greatness Scholarship is about more than financial support—it’s about recognizing young people who are already making a difference and helping them build on that momentum. Each of this year’s recipients has demonstrated leadership, resilience, and a commitment to serving others, qualities that will continue to benefit their communities for years to come.
Since launching the scholarship in 2020, Farah & Farah has had the privilege of supporting students who are using their talents, experiences, and determination to create positive change. We are proud to invest in these future leaders and look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the years ahead.
Here for You. Here for Good.
Supporting students through the Empowering Greatness Scholarship is one of the many ways Farah & Farah strives to make a positive impact beyond the courtroom. Service has always been at the heart of what we do, whether we’re helping clients recover after a serious accident, assisting families through difficult circumstances, or investing in the future of our communities.
If you have questions about a legal matter, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss your situation and explain your options. We’re committed to helping people find answers, support, and guidance when they need it most. Contact us today either online or by calling (877) 245-6707.
