Published: September 15, 2010
Sun Life Rising Star Awards Program Provides $220,000 in Grants and Scholarships to Nonprofit Organizations and Four Outstanding Florida High School Seniors
WELLESLEY, Mass. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE: SLF, TSX: SLF) today
announced the winners of the Sun Life Rising Star Awards program in
South Florida. Sun Life Financial awarded a total of $220,000 in
scholarships and grants to four nonprofit organizations for their
commitment to providing academic opportunities to at-risk youth, and to
an exemplary student nominated by each organization. The Sun Life Rising
Star Awards program recognizes and provides resources to students who
have overcome the odds and are committed to furthering their education,
and to the nonprofit organizations that advocate on their behalf.
Each nonprofit organization will receive a $50,000 grant along with
training, materials, and the curriculum infrastructure necessary to
develop and provide financial education for the youth in its program.
Additionally, each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship to help
finance a post-secondary education.
South Florida is one of seven areas that the Sun Life Rising Star Awards
program will visit in 2010, providing more than $1,000,000 in grants and
scholarships. Each winning organization will automatically be considered
for the National Sun Life Rising Star Award, with the winner receiving
an additional $50,000 grant. Winning students are also invited to enter
an essay competition in which one student will be selected as the
National Sun Life Rising Star award winner and receive a scholarship
worth up to $50,000. The national award winners will be announced in
February 2011.
A recent financial fitness study of at-risk youth and their parents,
commissioned by Sun Life Financial, revealed that families and students
alike face tremendous barriers when seeking to enter college, with 72%
of parents and 63% of students stating that college costs are
unaffordable. Nearly 30 percent of U.S. students do not graduate from
high school, and only half of those are prepared to succeed in college,
career, and life. Sun Life Financial recognizes the challenges facing
today's students and is dedicated to helping improve educational
opportunities for the nation's at-risk youth.
"Sun Life Financial is committed to the communities where it conducts
business and we are honored to recognize these outstanding organizations
and students who care so deeply about their communities as Sun Life
Rising Stars," said Sun Life Financial U.S. President Wes Thompson.
Representatives of the Sun Life Rising Star Awards program surprised
each student with their scholarship award at four separate area events
attended by Miami Dolphins players and cheerleaders as well as Jeanette
Sparano, Rising Star Awards judge and wife of Dolphins head coach Tony
Sparano. The Sun Life Rising Star Awards program is the educational
cornerstone program of the Miami Dolphins Foundation.
"We're thrilled to partner with Sun Life to recognize these exceptional
students and nonprofit organizations in South Florida," said Miami
Dolphins Chief Executive Officer Mike Dee. "We firmly believe in putting
the Dolphins brand and resources behind the institutions and individuals
who are committed to success in the classroom. We thank Sun Life who
shares our vision and commitment to giving back to our region."
Following is a list of the Florida Sun Life Rising Star Awards program
nonprofit organization grant and student scholarship recipients:
College Summit – College Summit is a national nonprofit
organization that partners with schools and districts to strengthen
college-going culture and increase college enrollment rates, so that all
students graduate career- and college-ready.
College Summit Student Award Recipient:
Warren Charles Coley, Miami Jackson Senior High School
-
Warren has been extremely active during his time at Miami Jackson High
School, and is highly regarded by his peers, who voted him President
of his 10th, 11th, and 12th grade
classes.
-
As a member of the Epsilon Distinguished Men of Society, Warren helps
with their annual "Clean-Up Baynanza" event, removing trash from the
Bay Area of Greater Miami.
-
He is the Horticultural Coordinator for the "Jackson Seedlings," a
conservationist group of students who plant trees and pick-up litter
to serve their mission of revitalizing local urban areas.
-
Warren is a volunteer usher at the New Birth Baptist Church, where he
also sings in the choir.
-
He will apply to Xavier University, Florida State University, and
Florida International University, and plans to major in Information
Technology and Business Management with the goal of pursuing a career
as a computer engineer/Microsoft Certified Engineer.
Urban Youth Impact – Urban Youth Impact has been
working to love, equip, and empower inner-city youth and families since
1997. In 2008, UYI launched The Leadership Academy (TLA), the only
comprehensive, faith-based youth development program in its community.
Urban Youth Impact Student Award
Recipient: Miranda Stackhouse, Seminole Ridge High School
-
Miranda came to Urban Youth Impact to participate in UYI's Summer Work
Program, which provides students ages 15 to 18 the opportunity to
obtain work experience at local businesses and organizations.
-
While living in Illinois, Miranda volunteered at the Harvey Community
Center as a mentor for younger students. She was also active on her
high school's Speech Team and Spoken Word Team.
-
Miranda served as a teacher's aide at Orthodox Zion Baptist Church's
summer camp in inner-city West Palm Beach.
-
During her senior year, Miranda will be enrolled in a dual program
allowing her to complete her senior year at Seminole Ridge High School
and begin her collegiate career at Palm Beach State College. She plans
to pursue a four-year degree in communication and arts, specializing
in spoken word, and hopes to be a motivational speaker.
HANDY, Inc. – HANDY, Inc. is an award-winning
nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to meet the fundamental needs of
Broward County's foster care children and those who have been placed in
the care of non-relative and relative caregivers under protective
supervision. HANDY's programs provide children with safety and
well-being, education, social and recreational activities, and advocates
to give these children a voice.
HANDY, Inc. Student Recipient: LaGary
Roberson, Flight Center GED
-
LaGary has been an active participant in the HANDY LIFE program since
2006, participating in the on-site virtual high school from 2007 to
2009 and attending the Lawton Chiles Leadership Corp Conference.
-
He has been a member of the HANDY LIFE Program Youth Advocacy Board
and participated in the Trip of a Life Time to Washington, D.C. in
June 2010.
-
LaGary participated in Broward Days in Tallahassee and has advocated
for college scholarships for at-risk students who receive no state
assistance for school tuition or books.
-
LaGary has begun attending Broward College and is pursuing his AA
degree in Exercise Science and Wellness or Sports Medicine. He plans
to transfer to Florida Atlantic University to continue toward his
Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine or a similar field.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County – Boys & Girls
Clubs of Lee County work to enable young people, especially those in
need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible
citizens. The organization serves 2,800 youth ranging from ages 6 to 18
at seven sites throughout the county which are staffed by youth
development professionals who have been trained to instill a sense of
belonging, competence, influence, and usefulness in the youth they serve.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County Student
Recipient: Koa A. Sua, Cape Coral High School
-
Koa has been an active member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
for more than four years.
-
Last year she volunteered more than 270 hours of service to her unit,
Barrett Park in North Fort Myers. She helps younger members with
homework, assists staff in group projects, and serves as a role model
to all who attend her unit.
-
Koa was a member of the Odyssey of the Mind Team that finished in the
top 15 at the World Team Championships.
-
Koa plans to attend the University of Florida or Stetson University
and hopes to become a lawyer.
Sun Life Rising Star Awards organizations and students will be
recognized at a special pre-game on-field ceremony and celebration at
the Miami Dolphins-Pittsburgh Steelers game at Sun Life Stadium on
October 24.
An independent panel of judges comprised of local South Florida
community leaders selected the winning organizations. Judges included:
Miami Dolphins Limited Partners and professional tennis stars Venus
and Serena Williams, wife of Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano Jeanette
Sparano, Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess, Society Scene
Publisher Stacy Ostrau and local philanthropist Ada Cole.
For more information on the Sun Life Rising Star Awards, please visit www.sunliferisingstar.com.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth
accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate
customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today
have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United
States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan,
Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2010, the Sun Life
Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $407.8
billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and
Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
SLPC 22452 (9/14/11)
Sun Life Financial
Alexi Maravel, 781-446-1624
alexi.maravel@sunlife.com
or
Elevate
Communications
Keith Gainsboro, 857-234-1481
kgainsboro@elevatecom.com
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