FAU’s Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program Announces

Largest Cohort of Scholarship Recipients for 2022-2023 Academic Year

BOCA RATON, Fla. (September 7, 2022) – The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program has awarded comprehensive scholarship packages to 26 Florida high school graduates, marking the largest incoming cohort to date. The scholarship offers academically talented, first-generation, low-income college students the opportunity to graduate from FAU, debt-free.

The comprehensive academic scholarship includes four years of full tuition, on-campus housing, books, a meal plan and additional resources needed to complete their college degree. Each scholar follows “The Path,” a 17-step program, which includes wraparound services supporting successful collegiate careers and post-graduate lives, such as career planning, mentoring, and financial literacy, among others.

Earlier this year, the program received a multi-million dollar donation from an anonymous philanthropist through the Let’s Have a Smile Scholarship Fund. The gift helped fund the expansion of the 2022-2023 class from its original 4-student cohort to 26 eager and talented incoming freshmen.

“This year, we received some outstanding applications from students across the state,” said FAU President John Kelly. “We look forward to helping these new scholars reach their full potential and find their purpose at FAU.”

The new class of scholars includes:

• Aleisa Galea-Galindo – Alonso High School (Tampa)
• Anthony Jenkins – West Orange High School (Orlando)
• Blandine Youte – Coconut Creek High School (North Lauderdale)
• Clawens Ticompere – Dr. Phillips High School (Orlando)
• Cydney Goodings – McFatter Technical High School (Miramar)
• Dalila Sanchez – Alonso High School (Tampa)
• Denia Rosiclair – Miami Central Senior High School (Miami)
• Enzo Inestroza – Miami Springs Senior High School (Miami Springs)
• Esther Consuegra – G-Star School of the Arts (Lake Worth)
• Frantzlyn Ravix – William H. Turner Technical Arts High School (Miami)
• Jackelin Guzman-Alvarez – Lake Worth Community High School (Lake Worth)
• Jean Pierre – Dr. Phillips High School (Orlando)
• Katelyn Delacruz – MAST Academy Rickenbacker Causeway (Miami)
• Lucila Solari-Casalini – Palm Beach Gardens Community High School (Palm Beach Gardens)
• MD Jelani – Suncoast Community High School (Palm Springs)
• Mya Pagan – Spruce Creek High School (Port Orange)
• Natalia Escovar – Lake Worth Community High School (Lake Worth)
• Ricardo Rodriguez – Palm Beach Maritime Academy (Palm Beach)
• Richard Solorzano – Fort Pierce Central High School (Fort Pierce)
• Rocio Gonzalez-Lopez – Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School (Lake Wales)
• Seniya Sconiers – Dr. Phillips High School (Orlando)
• Thy Nguyen – John I Leonard High School (Greenacres)
• Tiana Rivera – Charles W. Flanagan High School (Davie)
• Vahnessa Torres-Urias – Forrest Hill Community High School (West Palm Beach)
• Zariah Walker – Wesley Chapel High School (Land O’ Lakes)
• Zharia Rodriguez – John I Leonard High School (West Palm Beach)

The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program was launched in 2017 by Boca Raton philanthropists Aubrey and Sally Strul, along with FAU President John Kelly and First Lady Carolyn Kelly. A former first-generation student, Aubrey Strul felt compelled to lessen the crippling burden of school debt for students by providing the program’s initial investment. In its first five years, the program has grown to more than 65 scholars and has successfully matriculated 22 graduates.

“This is a deeply personal mission. I was once a first-generation student with dreams of earning a college degree,” Aubrey Strul said. “Sally and I are proud to have had the opportunity to expand our support and welcome 26 new scholars into our program.”

Donations supporting first-generation scholars’ success are welcome online at kellystrulscholars.fau.edu/give/ or by calling (561) 297-1272.

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About the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program

The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program at Florida Atlantic University provides Florida’s select academically talented, first-generation, low-income students the financial and academic support needed to graduate, debt-free. The program prepares students for a successful college career and meaningful post-graduate life through its turnkey, 17-point program, including mentorship, financial literacy workshops, internships, and much more. To learn more about the program, visit kellystrulscholars.fau.edu.