~ Students Honored During Halftime of HEAT Game ~
BankUnited Senior Executive Vice President Gerry Litrento was on hand at a recent Miami HEAT game to help present five scholarships to South Florida students. The scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, are awarded based on excellent academic performance, outstanding community service, and unmet financial need. Pictured (L-R): Sofia Alvarado; Fabia St-Juste; Lauryn Louis; Miami HEAT Vice President, Player Programs Alonzo Mourning; Marcus Walker; Vice President/Executive Director, Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Steve Stowe; Gabriela Arias and Litrento.
BankUnited and the Miami HEAT selected five exemplary South Florida students to receive $5,000 each toward their college education, and presented the winners with their scholarship awards during halftime of a recent HEAT game.
Now in its 23rd year, the HEAT Scholarships presented by BankUnited are awarded to South Florida high school seniors who demonstrate excellent academic performance, exceptional community service, and financial need. This year’s scholarships, including the Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship and the Dr. Jack Ramsay Scholarship, were awarded to students representing Coral Reef Senior High School, the School for Advanced Studies – Miami Dade College, Monsignor Edward Pace High School, Miami Springs Senior High School and Plantation High School.
“BankUnited is proud to join with the Miami HEAT to recognize these five students who, through their academic achievement and commitment to serving others, already have had a positive effect on their communities,” said BankUnited Chairman, President and CEO Rajinder P. Singh. “This year’s cohort of winners is particularly impressive; it is a true honor to be a part of their educational journey as they pursue their passions and strive to improve their communities through service.”
Sofia Alvarado, a student at Coral Reef Senior High School, is one of three recipients of the HEAT Scholarship. As president of the high school Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and a student in the Academy of Finance, Alvarado has dedicated a total of 1,200 community service hours while earning a 3.9 unweighted GPA. She started the “Stand Up for Venezuela” project that organizes supply boxes for underprivileged children and gives input to local agencies on the sociopolitical issues impacting Venezuela. She also volunteers her time with Best Buddies as a mentor and tutor, and serves as vice president and historian of the local chapter of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation. Alvarado will be attending Princeton University in the fall, where she plans to pursue a major in political science and economics.
Lauryn Louis, a student at the School for Advanced Studies – Miami Dade College, is a winner of the HEAT Scholarship. She is an active member of her school’s Student Government Association and National Honor Society, and has volunteered more than 900 hours of community service. Most of her volunteer hours have been earned through her involvement with the Teaching Heart Foundation, which provides academic tutoring and community outreach. As a student, Louis earned a 4.0 unweighted GPA. She will attend the University of Florida in the fall, where she plans to pursue a major in biological sciences or political science.
Fabia St-Juste also was awarded a HEAT scholarship. A student at Monsignor Edward Pace High School, St-Juste was involved in many extra-curricular activities, including Student Government Association (class vice president), National Honor Society (historian), Mu Alpha Theta, Science National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society, Art National Honor Society and FBLA. She completed more than 400 service hours volunteering with the Haitian Empowerment and Literacy Project; tutoring students through the Breakthrough Miami educational program; as a cartoonist for the Service Network for Children of Inmates, helping to create positive memories and moments for children with incarcerated parents; and as founder of “Just Girly Things,” a service project and hygiene drive for homeless women. With a 3.9 unweighted GPA, St-Juste will attend Cornell University in the fall, where she plans to study architecture.
This year’s winner of the Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship is Gabriela Arias. A student at Miami Springs Senior High School, Arias has taken a leadership role in her school community, having served as Student Government Association president, National Honor Society vice president and Anchor Club treasurer. She was a student athlete, competing as a member of her school’s varsity swim and softball teams, and as co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. In addition to her athletic endeavors, Arias completed more than 1,000 hours of community service as a volunteer for the Anchor Community Service Club, Crossbridge Church, and Miami Shores Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Having earned a 3.9 unweighted GPA, Arias will attend Georgetown University in the fall, with plans to pursue a major in medicine.
The Dr. Jack Ramsay Scholarship was awarded to Marcus Walker, a student at Plantation High School. Walker involved himself in his school’s extra-curricular activities, serving as National Honor Society president, Automotive Club president, Mu Alpha Theta secretary, and member of the Robotics Club. While a student, Walker started his own YouTube channel, “DriveAndBeDriven,” with the goal of providing consumers with in-depth and comprehensive vehicle reviews and allowing viewers to make educated decisions when purchasing their next vehicle. As a volunteer tutor and peer mentor, he contributed more than 250 hours of community service to the High Grade Global Learning Center, and spent time volunteering on behalf of the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, where he helped with the creation of a mobile application for museum guests. Walker earned a 3.6 unweighted GPA. He will attend Florida Atlantic University in the fall, where he will study mechanical engineering.
About BankUnited, N.A.
BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE: BKU), with total assets of $32.2 billion at December 31, 2018, is the bank holding company of BankUnited, N.A., a national bank headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida with banking centers in Florida and New York metropolitan area. One of the largest independent depository institutions headquartered in Florida by assets, BankUnited provides a wide range of commercial and consumer banking services. For additional information, call (877) 779-2265 or visit www.BankUnited.com. BankUnited can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/BankUnited. Official and on Twitter @BankUnited.
