Connecting the Community

AAMES/Wiggins Scholarships

Season 4 Episode 2 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions

Pensacola State College scholarship recipients and the inaugural "I Am PSC" campaign are featured.

Aired 03/27/2025

Connecting the Community

AAMES/Wiggins Scholarships

Season 4 Episode 2 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions

Pensacola State College scholarship recipients and the inaugural "I Am PSC" campaign are featured.

Host Rameca Vincent Leary welcomes Pensacola State College student recipients of the African American Memorial and Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins “Live Your Dream” endowed scholarships and leads a discussion about the college’s inaugural “I Am PSC” campaign with PSC President Ed Meadows and others.

Aired 03/27/2025

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Connecting the Community is a local public television program presented by WSRE PBS

Connecting the Community

AAMES/Wiggins Scholarships

Season 4 Episode 2 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions

Aired 03/27/2025

Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback

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Hello, everyone. I'm Rebecca Vincent Leary, and welcome to this edition of Connecting the Community. Life is full of game changing decisions. So I pose this question. Have you ever thought about applying for a PSC scholarship with over 300 options available? The possibilities are endless. During this special edition of Connecting the Community, we'll be highlighting two of them the African-American Memorial and Doctor Garrett T Wiggins. Live your Dream endowed scholarships. We'll discuss significant triumphs for past and present awardees, and culminate with our special recognition for the 2025 recipients. Plus, you'll hear more about the inaugural I am PSC campaign that experienced tremendous success. To get the conversation started. I'm happy to welcome Doctor Ed Meadows, president of Pensacola State College. He's joined by Andrea Krieger, executive director of institutional development. Welcome to both of you. I haven't been here. All right, thank you, Doctor Meadows. These are definitely exciting times. How do you appreciate the hard work of our PSC scholarship recipients? Getting the urge to apply and following through as a college president? What does that mean to you? Well, having once been a student, I can identify with, individuals that, have to consider seriously. Taking the big shout out to inquire as to the possibility of being able to enroll and then, going through the steps of worrying about financial aid and how they can pay for it. And oftentimes, our students are juggling between family and work. The majority of our students, over 50%, are actually, part time students. And that means that they have other responsibilities, besides study. So, it's, it's an amazing journey for the students that take the initial stay up, follow through, actually get it, made it find the financial resources to get into the classroom, and then complete the classes and then eventually the degree. Speaking of a journey, Andrea. So we have over 300 PSC scholarships, talk about the application process. Sure. So one of the things that's really nice for PSC students is it is an online application. They apply one time. Once they apply one time, it matches them to all of the scholarships that they they qualify for. So they don't have to fill out 300 applications. They fill out one, which is a really good thing. But it is, you know, you really have to be serious about applying. You really have to want, to attend college. And you really have to want the resources because it is a it's a pretty big step to fill that application out. It's a big endeavor. So, Andrea, of course, an easy application process with that blanket form. But you have been quite the busy bee because recently the college launched our inaugural I am PSC campaign. Please tell us what it is. Sure. It kind of goes hand in hand with Mika. It was an idea about all the wonderful people who make Penn State College special. And many of those are tied to scholarships, just like your 100 for 100 campaign. There are many donors. There are many board members. There are many friends of the college who we really felt like needed to come together to celebrate. And the I am PSC campaign was an opportunity for them to do that. So overall, we had $137,000 that was donated through that case. It's phenomenal. It really was. And there were some significant scholarship donations. Some new scholarships were started and our universal scholarship got an infusion of cash. That is probably our easiest to award scholarship up because it is across all disciplines at the college. What was the inspiration behind starting the I am PSC campaign? You know, we had we had been here for 75 years serving the community, and this was the year when that happened. In September, we passed our 75th mark, and we really wanted to put the marker in the books on that one and just say, there is really something good to celebrate this time. And we wanted to do it in our 75th year at the end of our 75th year. And I love that. Speaking about celebrations, Doctor Meadows at the kickoff inaugural event, a lot of people were celebrating in PSC taking pictures. Many speakers. And what was your reaction to the crowd that came out? And of course, the involvement of not only our family but others. Well, you know, you saw, a lot of people that you see at, most of our other fundraisers in one capacity or another, but, it was so nice to see, the t shirt that the foundation came up with and pieces PSC and even if you were wearing a sports show shirt or if you're wearing a sport coat, you had the t shirt on. And so the, the air of, the casualness yet the importance of the event, I think was striking. And of course, we had some door prizes to go along with that sensational door prizes and some really good food. But, you know, we had some people there that, we had not saying, and so any time that you do something different, and put a different brand on it, you, you engage the community and the college, because we have added, a very large number of donors from the college that work at the college. And they're so very proud to be a part of the college. And, and our community. You know, when I speak at, Rotary Clubs, for example, I asked with the show of hands how many, attended our college and or their family members. And I would say 90% of the people raise their hand. So there is, that connection. And the last time I did that, I looked out over the crowd and I saw some of the people that were actually at our celebratory, event of, of this, inaugural, happening that the foundation has come up with. And I had a wonderful time. Andrea, I love my t shirt. I'll be wearing it even more so now, of course, the big umbrella 300 plus scholarships I psc. Then we think about these two scholarships that that fall underneath this umbrella. So let's talk about the history of both scholarship. We provide us with some education. Sugar.

Sure. So the African American Memorial Endowed Scholarship that was started in 1997 and it was actually started with an endowment. So it was endowed early on where there were some state matching dollars that came into play where donors made contributions, and then the state matched it when they used to match, scholarship dollars in its history because it was endowed early on. You've ended up having over 51,000 that has been awarded out. So the endowment sits at a little over 67,000. But the awards, which are from earnings, they just keep happening because the more we grow that endowed corpus, the more we can actually spin off an earnings to actually award to our out to our students. So it's like a legacy.

It won't go away. And then if you look at the Garrett T Wiggins Live your Dream scholarship. That one was around 2005. And that scholarship was an annual scholarship. So any money coming in was expended out, any money coming in was expended out. And so there really wasn't a basis or a corpus in there. When you guys actually your volunteers, your fabulous volunteers said, we want to endow it because we want it to be here forever. It's an important relationship that Garrity Wiggins had with the college. First African-American university in town when it was at Booker T Washington High School, and there was actually a college there for African Americans. Then it moves over to the college to actually become part of the college, at Pensacola State. And when that happens, Garrett T Wiggins comes over here to serve as a director. So he serves as a director of research at the Pensacola State College campus. When we merged, well, that had really zero in there because we were spending it. Well as soon as we endowed it. Now it's spinning off earnings. So if you look at the earnings and the awards that have gone out of these two scholarships, we've awarded out over $121,000. There's less than that in the corpus for those two scholarships. So that legacy will go on forever. It will. And then Doctor Meadows, when and of course, that's a guaranteed. Wiggins retired in 1969. And I see the beautiful photo of him in building seven. And so the endowment happened in 2023. Doctor Meadows and of course the PSC Alumni Association providing those matching funds and all the work of the volunteers. How does that make you feel? Well, you know, to to have, volunteers at the college is a must. And, just as with the, initiative that, you have started with, 100 for 100, you can't do it without volunteers. But, to know that, Doctor Wiggins scholarship is in doubt, it will always be there. As long as the college is here, and as long as the foundation is here and it will perpetuate itself and grow, every year, I to provide, you know, scholarships for students and, the, in addition to helping continue to help students, we continue to honor Doctor Garrett Wiggins for his important role in our community and at our college. Andrea, please walk us through the endowment process because we could have some people out there viewing right now who are quite interested in this. Sure, sure. So to endow a scholarship at at the foundation to support students at the college, it's a $20,000 investment. Now, folks can do that all at once. They don't have to do it all at once. They have 3 to 5 years to end up making those contributions. Depending on the level of the endowment. But to start, you have three years. You can endow those funds. Once it's endowed, whatever the donor says is their purpose. What is their intention? What type of students do they want to support at the college? We match up that criterion. So there's another fund that is created at the foundation. So there's your endowed fund. And then there's your award fund. So every year we earn we earn, we earn. And then in January of each year we take all of the interest because we pull all the money together. So that it has greater earning potential for the scholarships that are going to be awarded that's placed in the Affordable Fund. And so as long as you have an endowment over here, it's going to continue to earn and continue to urge you to earn, and it creates a legacy that's over here for to help students forever love legacies and Pensacola State College, don't we? Doctor Meadows, you have met countless students over the years, and every now and then a success story comes to mind. Would you like to share? Maybe 1 or 2? You know, I can't just share one.

It's hard. JT young is, a senior executive with Heart of Power and Light. He is, his wife was, board member, board of trustees, a member. Deidra. Both their sons attended, dual enrollment and, classes on their way to success or, degrees from universities. But JT young comes to mind because he came back to our community, and I just saw him at the Economic Development Symposium and he is he is a, a huge supporter of Pensacola State College, like having a down scholarship and alumni and our scholarship. And that's through a matching program to the alumni association. But, we just added, Andrew Hobbs as a new board member appointed by the governor, his wife, Nicole, who is a product of our institution and works in the legal system. And she's very, very proud to be an alumna. And my executive assistant, Pat Cruz. Yes, he is a part of, our colleagues as well as, Debbie Duma, daughter Debbie Duma, who started here as a secretary and got her degree from, Pensacola State and moved on to a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree and a doctorate degree and is now, a dean at this college and, grants writing and and, supervision of all of our federal programs. So those are just some and I could probably sit here and think of, 30 more minutes worth of successful individuals and of course, Troy. Yes, it's it's is going to be on the program and sponsor, the, event that we had just prior to the show today, is, a huge success, in its own right and, graphic design. So, we just we just have so many people, to big thankful for having attended our association and, continue to either work at the college or stay in our community and work in our community. We love that. Georgia meadows. So, Andrea, there are various types of scholarships. Would you like to give us a rundown of some oh my goodness, you talked about. So just like Doctor Meadows was having a hard time thinking of one student, there are so many different. I will tell you where some of the gaps we wind up having. We need more scholarships for our student athletes, so athletics scholarships would be important for the college, our trade program. So when you think about short term certificate programs, those programs are not those students. I should say are not eligible for Pell funds. So they really need scholarship support. So some of the programs that we have that are short term certificate programs, we could really use for support there, we have scholarships for nursing. I was just meeting with the dean of the Warrington campus because we got some line funds which are linking industry to nursing education. And so we have partners from all of the hospitals and clinics that help provide matching dollars to our students who are going through our LPN and are in program, have support. We have just like Doctor Meadows mentioned, JP young did. JT young did a scholarship, but Florida Power and Light also has a scholarship. They have an endowed fund with us. We have programs that are for we're working to get programs for our AP mechanics program. That's really going to be a game changer for some of our students. So if you can think of one of the hundred programs at Pensacola State, there is a scholarship likely out there to support a student who wants to come pursue that career. The Molly McGuire Endowed Scholarship for Culinary Arts Huge scholarship helps those students who are passionate about providing yes, culinary treats for us at our events. We can help them with the scholarship at the college, and every now and then I'll have someone to ask me, what about veterans? Oh, huge. There's a lot there are a lot of scholarships for veterans. And, you know, even if you think about people think they don't come to school to be a veteran, but many of our scholarships have criteria that ask for a veteran to have preference. If they're coming to school, it doesn't matter in what field. There may be a preference in the donor scholarship criteria for that. And Doctor Meadows, we have definitely covered a lot of ground. But would you like to share any closing thoughts specifically to anyone out there, maybe, who's thinking about applying for a PSC scholarship or possibly creating an endowed scholarship while they're there? All kinds of people that watch, connecting the community and certainly there, are people that, are retired in our community that, have, experienced the value of our college. And there are, as Andrea has said, there are easy ways, to go back to the college, whether you want to the in Dallas scholarship or whether you just want to make a gift, to the foundation for a specific kind of scholarship. But, for, for students, whether you're, 16 years old or whether you're 66 years old or even 80 years old, we, we have opportunities here, at the college, and, I can think of nothing better to close my heart with and to think of. A couple of years ago, a grandmother and her granddaughter walked the stage and received their diploma at the same time. So you're never too old. And certainly, if you're fresh out of high school or if you're fresh out of the military or, if you're, fresh out of a job, there are opportunities, here at Pensacola State and, they can be, short term. We do have some scholarships, that are, short term. Is is is short is 6 to 8 weeks. So that so, that lift, next, program and then we have the, traditional, scholarships for traditional high school students. But the, the nontraditional or donuts for those parents that are sitting out there and they, they're thinking about trying to figure out how to get more education, to get a promotion in their current job or to change a career. They they really need to seriously look at, the flexibility of our class scheduling and, take a serious look, call our college and talk to an advisor and, see what we can do to help them get enrolled. Absolutely. We've had information up on the screen for the PSC Foundation, no matter how small or large a donation is, folks at all. And so we appreciate you so very much. Thank you for being on connecting the community now, everyone. Pensacola State College has recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Take a look at some special memories highlighting many of the college's amazing achievements. We'll be back in a moment. Pensacola State College celebrates 75 years of quality education in Northwest Florida. In 1947, Pensacola State College began as Pensacola Junior College, Florida's first public junior college to be established under the Minimum Foundation Program law. Pensacola State College, providing a dynamic and supportive learning environment since 1948. Pensacola State College celebrates 75 years of quality education in Northwest Florida. In 2009, the Edward M Chadbourne Library was dedicated, and in 2010, Pensacola Junior College was renamed Pensacola State College and received approval to offer baccalaureate degree program as. Pensacola State College, providing a dynamic and supportive learning environment since 1948. Hello, everyone. It is always a blessing when we can recognize our scholarship recipients in a special way. Will reveal them later in this show. But first, we'd like to welcome a phenomenal man who's assisted us in our efforts. None other than Troy Watts, director of the Maxwell Respite Center. He holds a dual role because he's the brainchild behind dribbles, the all knowing cat, and his amazing friends. We're honored to have him as our 2025 Ames Wiggins Physical Awards sponsor. And folks, this is his second time doing it. He's joined by Juanita Kennedy, a dedicated mom who loves sharing educational elements of dribbles, the all knowing cat with her daughter right there beside her Kennedy siblings welcome to the show, all of you. I'm seeing some amazing smiles.

Troy. This is a monumental moment for me because I have known you for quite some time, but we have to take it back a little bit, don't we? So what inspired you to create dribbles, y'all knowing cat and friends? Well, my inspiration actually comes from just knowing that children have to be educated. I still believe that children, if they're educated at a young age. I just believe that, there has to be something, somebody to take the charge of that. So I just decided to just create a cat to design up and create a cat. Great idea. Speaking of which, I see all these books in front of you. You've been quite busy doing a lot of writing, so you and I have a history in the classroom because you were a student of mine in the business department at PSC. Having you as a student and seeing your progression really makes me feel warm inside. So tell our viewers, what was your major year at PSC? When did you graduate? I graduated in 2022. My major was a, business management degree with a, concentration of graphic designs. Love it, love it. Now, doctor Meadows appeared in our first segment. He also mentioned you. And I know that you and I have had discussions. You have told me how much he means to me. What has his influence meant for you in your journey? Well, I, I have to say that not only Doctor Meadows, but the whole staff at Pensacola State College is actually given me all the tools that I needed to become a success from where I am. And my job with Maxwell Respite Center. And speaking of that, you hold a very strong title as far as your responsibilities are concerned. We'll delve into that in just a moment, because I believe that one. Nita and Kennedy want to hear a little bit more about dribbles and his friends now as a mom. Juanita, million dollar question. How did you meet Troy? And then find out about dribbles? Y'all knowing Cat?

Yes, ma'am. I met Troy last year when I applied for the security position at Maxwell Respite Center. Absolutely. And we know that it is used as an educational tool with Steam education, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. And we know that Troy has created numerous videos. But for your youngster sitting right next to you, Kennedy and we all know one of the first things we do when we wake up in the morning is brush our teeth, dribbles, and friends have an exciting video about that. It's called brush your teeth and you're going to love it, folks. When you wake up in the morning and your breath smells like yuck. You look in the mirror and you see what's. You people forget and you look up. You put your hands to your mouth and you shake what you put in.

You the toothpaste. You bring it to your mouth and you stand to brush. Brush your teeth, brush your teeth. Right.

So keep teeth. Now it's time for your mouth with the steady flow. You spit out the water and you're ready to go back to your teeth. Brush your teeth, brush teeth. Basically brushing your teeth and flossing your gums. It's what you must do to make a smile. When you buy some teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth. That's your teeth deep. A strong friend say. If you want to know, you should always bring something like love by yourself. All will be bright and your face, your face will love. Best to brush your teeth by something that's teeth. Best of teeth. Brush your teeth back so cute. That's such a confession. I.

Like. Troy. That was an amazing video. Reminds me my days when I was 3 or 4 years old. Okay, so, Troy, you have served as our physical award sponsor for the 100 for 100 scholarship campaign twice. This is your second round, and we are so thrilled to have you because it means a lot. You have received numerous PSC scholarships and you have then graduated and then inspired, as I would say countless others, to reach for the stars. Another thing that you have done that maybe some of you may not realize with dribbles, the all knowing Kat, you're a constant presence at our sorry be My Neighbor day that's normally held in the spring. And one of the things that dribbles loves to do. Folks recite the alphabet. Okay, so we want to share the ABCs and one two threes with the alphabet song. Take a listen. Campos and his friends were sitting on a bench complaining about doing the same all day dribbles and shouted, hey, let's make an alphabet song! Make it Blake, eat and drink it. Steamed. Dribbled started the song and he started the song like s I it's the apple, let's take a bite. Be it for both year round and time. Making it for caring for everything. You know, Ricky, it's a dog that back in the night. Oh, hey.

Oh, wait. Then take a look at it. Pop up like a C at night. Take it a go until we talk. Yeah, like I say, for help. When they don't get it right I tell you, when you pull up your right side. If I take it a friend. Hey can't go, go wash them. Hop out if you want. You wasted with my app. You feel like it could go right down the alphabet from down the alphabet side. Let me say it. Everybody dies. The alphabets. La la And if I know for beans, let me drive. If I'm into a point to the right, it's a lucky boy. It's with, like you, it's required for you to sleep at night. I open windows, don't get. Okay. It's the safety for inside.

Yeah. All right. Who is the crew that may look like you. It's for after standing up for Richard and being polite. Cover your for one. And up, like, right up for down the fun with down. So why?

Why?

Yeah. Oh, come on, don't bite me if I don't get my foot back. I like that down for that slow like the alphabet time. Come on, everybody dies. The alphabet song. All right, one eight to that alphabet song is ringing in my ears. I can't get it out of my mind. All right. Kennedy, do you like reciting the alphabet? Abcdefg G do you like doing that? Yes or no?

Yes. Do you have a favorite letter in the alphabet? Yes.

Is it k?

Yeah. Okay. Because your name is Kennedy. Why do you like dribbles? Isn't he exciting? He asks you all questions and questions. Questions? Questions is actually one of the books C Troy because our youngsters really do pick up on these things. And I want to segue into the Maxwell Respite Center, because in your role as a director, you have a multifaceted life. Just give us a brief synopsis of what you do in that role. Well, in the center, it's basically we transition women and children, and in their role we give them life skill classes. We have to find a job within 30 days, and they have 90 days to actually put that forth effort to find housing. And in that time, they're finding housing. What we do is we actually give them housing by paying their first month's security in their and their us in their first month's rent. Okay. That comes through a company called Opening Doors. All right. Something that our main progress, I mean, our main focus is to ensure that they don't come back as homeless. Good, good. So there are other things, such as sleeping arrangements, children, arrangements for them to attend school and then also training people for jobs. So expand a little bit on that. Okay. We have a system inside of the, inside of Maxwell. Where is that? We have a lady. Her name is Almost Johnson. She actually educates the kids on a one on one basis, because we believe that each child needs that one on one attention, and that's on top of her doing steam lessons. So all of the children in the center, I've definitely seen Vinnie waves over there. Maxwell also dribbles the all knowing cat huddled around a table with the youngsters, and I know that they are learning quite a bit. Is there a waiting list? That's a question that someone may ask. Yes, there is a waiting list. That waiting list is almost 100 people. Now we're actually getting calls from people from other states to try to get into Maxwell Respite Center and have, I'm sure that some of them might want to mirror what you are doing. Is that correct? Yeah, we're hoping so, yes. So when it comes to keeping those doors open, I know that volunteer tourism is a huge aspect. How can people contribute as a volunteer? That's easy. All the other do is call the Maxwell Respite Center. And then that can actually help them. Our phone number is actually, (850) 266-4195. If they want to call me directly, I can make that happen. And we're putting the website up on the screen for our viewers as well. So I'm sure people can donate different items. Are you in need of clothing or maybe even beds for people to sleep in? Well, I'm going to be honest with you. We're in need of everything that anybody can give us, but we like to accept those donations through people's hearts. Exactly.

Actually, yes. Food items, cleaning items, anything can help us. Wonderful.

All right.

One idea. So why do you think as a mother that dribbles is so unique? I love cats, and Jim Jones is the all knowing cat who has these wonderful friends Ricky, Nikki and Blinky. All right, but what makes dribbles so important to you? Me personally, as a mom, I love the fact that dribbles has the patience to answer those questions that most of us pairs kind of blank on, or just won't have the answer to. Dribbles has those answers for us, and he helps us bring those answers to our kids in a way that they'll understand and they'll retain that information and take it with them as they grow. What transformation have you seen in young Kennedy? And she's wearing my favorite color, pink in her hair. So I, I have to comment on that I love it, yes, but talk about her transformation. What I've learned, just through reading the books. She's a lot more social. She did have, you know, a bit of, just a lot of shyness with her, but she's come out of her shell a lot more. She's more willing to interact with people. She's not afraid herself to ask questions that a lot of kids would be too afraid to do so. And dribbles is really just helped her, you know, become her own individual. Kennedy is your favorite color? Pink. You know, it's all right. Purple's my number two, but I'll go back to pink. You have given me a great platform to introduce our audience to another video. If you love colors, I think you'll love this song. It has an interesting feel great education. Take a listen. It's triple the on the weekends. It's triple the only. Catch you sneaky lucky and break it to work. You love to prevent you. For me and you, it's travel. It's the only one catch. It's travel.

The only catch. Is.

Come on, come on, come on, come on. If you look at the sky. You'll see there's a rainbow. So come on, come on, come on, come on. Rainbow, satellite and shining colors and shine so bright. Colors, cuts, colors, colors. Red, yellow, blue is for primary colors. Move to. You can cut, cut, cut, cut. But look at these three colors and you see how they move. So keep those colors. Colors colors colors. How do you make green? By mixing colors yellow and blue. How do you make orange? By mixing colors yellow and red. How do you make violet? By mixing color blue and red. Light color indigo. If you want this to be true, just make sure Red with Love by Blue. , tell me colors make the rainbow and check.

Hey, for all the colors that are in place bright colors, colors, colors. Colors, colors colors colors. Troy, you have such a creative mind. I love that colors that video. I remember you and I had a conversation a way back. And you mentioned your beautiful daughter and how she inspired you when it came to ideas for dribbles, the all knowing cat and friends. Why don't you talk about that? Some please. You know, I'm going to tell you more than inspire. I think it was more so a critic, whether she likes, I would watch her look at the videos Blippi and. Cocomelon. So I used to sit on my lap because I, like, I had to be better than these other, cartoons. So every time I would make a video, I would sit on my lap and say, we think about this. She will look at the video. She would do 1 or 2 things. She would give me a thumbs up and she would get off my lap and walk away and say, no, which would actually hurt. Must be honest. Yeah, I know it would hurt my feelings, but we got to. The point was she was sitting on my lap. It's our dance with the videos, especially when I came out dribbles doing the wiggles. Okay, so now she's doing the Wiggles and she's telling everybody about dribbles and you know what it does. And all their friends now daddy like dribble. So yeah she's basically been an inspiration. And some of the kids in the center have been an inspiration. It we look at some of the videos, they would like them just as much, but I enjoy the kids giving me positive feedback on dribbles and what dribbles can how we can improve. Because I have no problem with going back to the drawing board to make sure the kids are educated, they understand what's going on and they like what they see. I like that, and I know there are lesson plans as well. And you're out in the about in the community with dribbles and not only here at SRT but elsewhere the center. So how many youngsters and I'm sure there have been hundreds that have come up to you that may have said that I love this specific moment when I watched a video, or maybe read a book. Is there any story that stands out in your mind regarding a youngster and what they thought about dribbles? Yeah, it was in a mall one day and I had a kid walk up to me say dribbles. So I'm like dribbles. I'm not dribbles. They thought you were.

They were, they thought I was dribbles. So what I had to do was I had to put myself on Facebook and well, the arms around game show people that I'm actually not dribble. So I had to do that. Yeah, that was one of the things. But other than that, it's just the array of pictures that we take, whether they be My Neighbor Day or through the art festival. Yes, they basically get them. So we give dribbles that, that flair. What dribbles need for more kids to like? I love that you all have inspired me so much. I'm energized. You're amazing. Thank you so much for being on the show. All right, folks, as we head to break, here's a special treat for the youngsters. If you've ever struggled learning how to tie your shoes dribbles, the all knowing cat can help. Enjoy this educational video with a reggae touch. We'll be back right after this. It can be tough without a doubt. Knock the look out for.

No. I go all the way back to time. Take your laces left and right. Over under. Squeeze them tight with bunny ears. One and two. Right in the eye and it in. Sometimes we got it all wrong. I try to remember why I cannot, but I don't. You know I take your eyes to black and light over under system tight with bunny ears. One and two right in the eye. And it in my senses. And I don't look no more kicking and stumbling around. We'll be back in the clock. Take a light switch left and right over. I'm gonna fix them tight. Wait, let me in. One and two.

Rack them around and it. So don't give up. It's not too late to take nothing. Then I'll go with a little practice and a lot of fun. We'll be done in the morning. Take your lights. Switch left and right over under system tight. Make an ear one and two like them. Mirror and in. Hello, everyone. You just saw the smiling faces of the 2025 African American Memorial. And Doctor Garrity Wiggins, live your dream and down scholarship recipients. Collectively, there were nine Ames Wiggins awardees. And during this segment, I have the pleasure of welcoming two past and present recipients. It's an honor to introduce 2025 Ames Scholarship Awardee Michelle Broadnax Sullivan. Michelle is also a 100 for 100 campaign volunteer. We next have Erika Perry, a 2025 Wiggins Scholarship recipient, and to round out the segment, we have Doctor John Woods, a faithful volunteer who's been with me since we started the initiative. Everyone, I can definitely feel you are excited. Are you happy? Yes, I can tell now.

Michelle.

Yes, ma'am. We have a little bit of history. You are a former student of mine. You're a shining star. What was your first reaction when you found out you were a scholarship recipient in Ames? Recipient not only last year, but this year? I was really shocked this year because I'm like, when you tell me and I'm like, I got it again because I didn't know you can get like, get it double. So I'm like, oh, wow. So that was a blessing. And my husband's just running around a house just shouting like, oh wow. Well she's an excellent student. Everybody out there. So how did you decide to become a 100 for 100 campaign volunteer? Because like I said, you were a former student of mine. What was that final push? You said, hey, I want to do this. I was actually when you called me and I was actually on the road coming from out of town, and we had stopped this little small town, and I had already told my husband that I wanted to do it because, remember, you was telling me about and I think I want to help her do that. So when you called me and asked me to be a volunteer, I'm like, it was not a no brainer. I'm like, absolutely, I would love to do that. Now tell everyone what your major of study is and when you intend to graduate. Bachelor of Applied Science and, management within a concentration in organizational administer, ministration. I have five more classes after this class. I take my time starting Monday. Saga, find more classes. Lord, it's been a struggle. But you can do it. I got this, I got this now. Eureka is the first time I met you was in the hallway of the business department. We sort of bumped into each other. And then when I found out you were a Wiggins Scholarship recipient, I was so elated. What was your first reaction? I was shocked and excited at the same time. What are you studying at PSC? Give us a rundown. I am studying architectural design and construction. And how many more classes do you have left before graduation? Eight.

Eight. I'm writing my capstone and I graduate. What is your dream job? Being an architect to design homes, but mostly try to, I want to dabble in a little bit to help military vets to, like tiny homes, smart homes and wonder for them so they could be able because you have disabled vets that can maneuver very well. That's true. So it's things that can actually alter a house. That way they can get around and function very well. That's awesome. Now for these two beautiful ladies right here I see your awards and you're beaming smiles. And then I look over at Doctor John Woods, a veteran himself who's been with me from the very beginning. And I'll just have to cue everyone in our little story. We were on a committee together. It was the first year, and you jumped in and say, hey, I want to help you with this. So tell our viewers how much this means to be a part of 100 for 100. Well, the the biggest thing is, is we all know, especially when you're dealing with higher education, we all know that individuals a lot of times have the desire to go to school. They're willing to put forth the effort to go to school, but they don't have the resources to do it. And so what this does any scholarship really, gives them the resources, in many cases, to be able to take those classes that they need to take to be able to get that degree that they've been wanting to get for a long time. And so this is just another way, another avenue to provide those resources to individual and me personally. That also gives me an opportunity to invest, invest in other individuals. I know that people invested in me when I was going to school, and I was able to receive some scholarships. Although I did have the GI Bill, I still was able to get some scholarships because the GI Bill doesn't always pay for everything. And, and so this gives me an opportunity to, you know, to pay it forward and, and to provide others with some of those resources. I definitely like the way you think. You work with veterans every day. So talk about some of those relationships and how it meshes into the 100 for 100 campaign. Yeah. So some of the veterans that I work with or individuals are actually going to school here at Pensacola State College, and we provide tutoring services. We provide academic counseling, we provide them with a lot of those things that they would, they would get at, at, you know, any other any other school career counseling. But the cool thing is, is I only work with the veteran, and I, all the services that we have, they're all free to the veteran. There. And what I do is I usually tell them, even though they may be getting the GI Bill, I let them know you got scholarships out there. Fill out that scholarship application, the program I, am in charge of as the director, we also have scholarship money, but they have to fill out those applications to be able to get it. And there have been individuals that have actually received some of these scholarships that we have here tonight, the Ames and the and the Garrett Te Wiggins Scholarship. That's right. And you and I have a little tradition on these shows. We provide a rundown of our 100 for 100 scholarship campaign volunteers. I'll start doctor.

Okay. There we go. Because I'm a volunteer, we have Chris Brown, we have Ingrid Davis, Evelyn Gant, Brenda Davenport Stanbury, and Michelle. That's right.

Michelle. Michelle Broadnax Sullivan right over there. And then lastly we have Michelle Jones. And then we had another Carla Williams. So we were in Amos studio a little bit earlier with Doctor Meadows. You took some fine photos. Everyone was smiling. He was beaming from ear to ear. And he really loves and appreciates what the volunteers are doing. So as you mentioned previously, Doctor Woods, the importance of paying it forward. I cannot tell my students that enough to do things externally, outside of the classroom, because there are so many people who are in need, or some might just need a kind word or a sense of motivation. But if we can do our part to help provide these scholarship funds, then we're definitely making a difference. All right, Michelle, back to you. So when you became a 100 for 100 volunteer, the impact that you had on your life, can you tell us about that? Wow.

It. At first it was kind of scary to me because I'm like, I don't like to. I'm not a person that have to go out and ask and ask and ask people, you know what I'm saying? But you and Doctor Who has talked to us, over the zoom meetings and gave us, pointers of how to do it. And once y'all gave us those pointers and everything and I took notes again, I'm like, oh, I can do this. This is easy to do. And I got some from people that charge you from people out of town. So it wasn't hard as I thought it was. No, it wasn't exactly what she was on fire, wasn't she was giving us a Michelle thing I had to get over. So yeah, I know lazy. So volunteerism you do a lot in the community as well? Yes.

And outside. So talk a little bit about that please. I volunteer at my church, Kingdom Harvest Christian Ministries under the leadership of pastor Delorean and Pastor Tara Pogue, and he have outreach, ministry called Church Without Walls. And we they they do it Monday through Sunday and I volunteer on Saturdays and Sundays and we, be out in the community feeding the homeless and, food, clothing and everything. So we're out there even when it's raining and everything. So we're out there and I absolutely love it. Is serving and giving back. That's what I like about it.

Indeed. Erica, sometimes people experience life's struggles and they're turning here. They are wondering what they're going to do. Some even we've had PSC students that didn't have a place to stay, not a bite of food to eat. So overcoming life's struggles, knowing that, hey, I have a scholarship that has just been awarded to me. How do you think that makes someone feel? I think that would make a person feel very, very great and appreciative. I've been a person that was homeless when starting out at PSC. I, and I was very grateful for the support that I did receive during that point of time before I got my place. So it is it is hard, but it's doable and you have to stay focused. And I'm grateful to actually get the scholarships to help throughout my education. Oh yes. Any advice to others wishing to achieve a goal? Because that story is quite impacting. But you have persevered. I would recommend to like, keep pushing and keep going and don't give up to fight because sometimes the fight is not outwardly is inwardly. So you have to tell yourself consecutively, you can do this, you got this is no matter what happens, I'm still going to keep pushing for it. Overall, my perception I've kept God first and lead on him throughout all the things that's happened. You as well, said Doctor Woods. You have seen so many people that have been helped. Do you have a short success story that you would like to share? Well, you know, some of the individuals that, that we've had, you know, especially with the, with the scholarships, Kylie is one of the ones that I think.

Yes. Okay. Because of all the things that she's doing now and even with her own business and, and what she's going through and she's now, you know, helping out, and she's doing so much better. So she's a great success story, you know, with these and of course, we have different, you know, veterans that I've dealt with that, been successful, your sponsor, so I watch a lot of good things about her. Went through our veterans program here at, Pensacola State College. He was the president of the Student Veterans association here at Pensacola State College. Look what he's doing now. So, so those are some great success stories that we have here. I know it, you are an awesome success story yourself. You work in the prisons, a lot of outreach, but you always have time to help others. That's one of the things that I've always admired about you. And for the two of you as scholarship recipients, we wish you all the best. We are always rooting for you and thank you all. Thank you so very much. You so much for joining us in this segment. You're welcome folks, as we close the show, I want to thank all of our guests for joining us. I must say, it's always a pleasure to honor our Pensacola State College students. And as a final note, for more information regarding the PSC Foundation, you can log on to Foundation dot Pensacola state.edu I'm Rebecca Vincent Leary. Thanks for watching and remember to keep it locked in right here on PBS for the Gulf Coast.

Connecting the Community is a local public television program presented by WSRE PBS