With so many parents tirelessly striving to ensure that their children can pursue higher education, programs such as Farah & Farah’s Empowering Greatness Scholarship help students follow their dreams. In the program’s fourth year, the firm has joined forces with Florida Prepaid College and Goodwill Industries of North Florida to light the way for five high school seniors to pursue their academic ambitions. Winners from across the state received two full years of tuition and local fees.
2024 Scholarship Winners
This year, we’re proud to announce the five scholarship winners. This scholarship is a way for us to empower future leaders and we hope that these promising young students will go on to do great things.
Melany Cabreriza
Melany Cabreriza is graduating from East Lee County High School in Lehigh Acres. She is the first in her family to complete high school and will be the first to attend college. Melany loves taking medical classes, and she aspires to graduate from college, attend medical school, and become a neurologist. Her top three school choices are Florida International University, the University of Miami, and Florida Gulf Coast University.
Lindsay Landais
Lindsay Landais will be graduating from Edward H. White High School in Jacksonville. She participates in numerous extracurricular activities, including the Student Government Association, National Honor Society, Girls Inc. at Jacksonville, Senior Women Boys and Girls Club, and PBIS Leading Ladies. Lindsay aspires to major in Nursing with a minor in Psychology. Her dream colleges include Bethune Cookman University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Florida State University.
Aniya Martinez
Aniya Martinez will graduate from Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville. She will be the first in her family to go to college, with plans to become a licensed clinical social worker and start her own practice. She is involved in multiple extracurricular activities, ranging from track and field to the Science National Honor Society. As she looks toward the next chapter of her life, Aniya hopes to attend the University of Miami, Florida International University, or the University of Alabama.
Rachel Ackey
Rachel Ackey will be graduating from Jule F. Sumner High School in Riverview. She is passionate about world history and American government, and beyond academics, she enjoys reading, following fashion trends, and socializing. She is also a member of several organizations, including the Senior Class Council, National Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America. Rachel aspires to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, aiming to open her own practice catering to children, teens, and young adults from diverse backgrounds. Her top choices for college are the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of Central Florida.
Jordan Beverly
Jordan Beverly will be graduating from Palatka Jr-Sr High School. Beyond academics, she enjoys playing musical instruments, drawing, and volunteering at an elementary school. Jordan is actively involved in the National Honors Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. With aspirations to pursue a career in elementary education, Jordan’s top colleges are the University of North Florida, Flagler College, and the University of Florida.
The Scholarship Judging Process
Farah & Farah’s commitment to fostering greatness extends beyond academic achievement. Through a thorough selection process, we identify students who demonstrate academic skill, dedication to their communities, and a compelling narrative of triumph over adversity. Volunteers judge all essay submissions, and once the top 16 are identified, impartial third-party judges narrow the candidates down to five recipients, using the same scoring rubric used in the first round.
Our 2024 Third-Party Judges
Our panel of judges is always composed of a diverse group of individuals who have made a difference in their community and their chosen career fields.
For the 2024 scholarships, our impartial third-party judges included the following:
- T-Neisha Tate, Jacksonville Jaguars Vice President of Social Responsibility and Impact
- Tenikka Hughes, Evening Anchor for Action News Jax
- Dante Jennings, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Jacksonville Public Education Fund
- Zaniyah Williams, 2022 Empowering Greatness Scholarship Recipient, University of South Florida student
- Madisyn Blanton, 2023 Empowering Greatness Scholarship Recipient, Florida Gulf Coast University student
What Is the Empowering Greatness Scholarship?
Farah & Farah launched the Empowering Greatness Scholarship program in 2020 and, with the addition of this year’s recipients, has now awarded college tuition to 30 students across Florida. This initiative is part of the firm’s commitment to bettering the community by recognizing exceptional students for their excellence, resilience, and dedication.
The Scholarship Application Process
Farah & Farah will have another round of scholarships for applicants next year. The application portal typically opens on December 1 of the year prior to the scholarship selection, with winners identified in May.
