Gator Family Gathers to Honor New Additions
Author: Ms. Katrina S. Moton Publication Date: Thursday July 07, 2011
On a sunny afternoon in South Florida, nearly 100 Gator alumni, students, and Gator-in-laws (a term given to friends and family), gathered for the first High School Celebration Picnic to recognize the more than 300 black local students who will be attending the University of Florida.
The picnic, which was held June 18th at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, was the first outreach event for the South Florida ABA chapter.
It was a family affair that included food, music, and raffles. There was also a chance to take part in “Who’s the TRUE Gator?” a 20-question trivia game that was hosted by Miss Black Student Union 2005 Ashley Gantt and NBC Miami reporter Brent Solomon. The game put alumni vs. students and in-laws to test the knowledge of all things UF. Gator grads came out on top to win bragging rights.
But, the highlight of the day was when the local executive officers presented scholarships to two incoming freshmen. Amanda Norman, a graduate of Miami Carol City Senior High, was the first recipient of the chapter’s $250 Book Scholarship award. While the law offices of Jacquelyn Lumpkin Wooden, P.A. donated $125 to create another South Florida ABA scholarship, which was presented to Blanche Ely High graduate Gelyssa Brown.
If you missed out on the picnic,