Mind & Body

Geraldine Placide

Placide was awarded scholarships from both the Dell Scholars Program and the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, which is administered by UNCF—the United Negro College Fund. Geraldine is an independent, strong-willed and dedicated leader for her friends, her community and for her little brother. She has used her influential ways to establish an organization that helps youth in Miami-Dade County improve their self-confidence and value their positive characteristics. Her continuous drive towards bettering herself has allowed her to graduate from Miami Edison Senior High School as the sixth in her class with an EMT certificate. In the fall, she will attend the University of Florida, where she plans to major in Biochemistry with a minor in Business.

Geslande Belus

Belus joined Upward Bound as a sophomore, and has matured and developed immensely during the past few years. She has worked diligently in school, sharing her passion and knowledge on optometry and participating in various internships to ensure that she benefits fully from every opportunity offered to her. Her continued commitment to the program is a result of the continuous exposure to new opportunities on Saturdays, introductions to new people, and the emotional and academic support. After she graduates from the Health Academy of William H. Turner Technical Institute, she plans to attend either Florida State University or Florida International University.

Sainte-Fanie Jean-Baptiste

Jean-Baptiste immigrated to the United States just before high school began. While she could have passed with only speaking Haitian Creole and French as a resident of Little Haiti, within her first year, she was able to learn English, excel in her classes and the pass the FCAT. Initially, she joined the program because she was new to the country and anticipated needing help navigating through the American high school experience. As she states: “the mentors and my friends show that they support us and make it a priority to ensure that we succeed.” In May, she will graduate from the Finance Academy of William H. Turner Technical Institute and plans to attend university in Florida where she intends to major in Business and Hospitality Management.

Rose-Laure Jean-Joseph

Jean-Joseph comes from a family of 10 people, living in Little Haiti, which is filled with abundant love and pride in each child’s unique accomplishments. The summer before she started high school, Rose-Laure eagerly jumped off the school bus when it arrived at the Museum because she was excited about the potential journey on which she was about to embark. This excitement is what has kept her an active member and a leader within the program, as each experience is accompanied by both fun and educational enrichment. Additionally, she has benefited from the helpful and engaging nature of the mentors and program activities. After her graduation as the Valedictorian at Miami Edison Senior High School, she plans to attend the University of Florida and major in a science field.

Yolandy Michel

Yolandy Michel has always been an active leader in her Little Haiti community and a role model for her little brother and friends. Her initiative and community impact is most seen in the organization that she founded to educate young women in Miami and Malawi, Africa about each other’s cultures. She initially joined the program before her junior year in an effort to further improve herself. After being in the program for two years, she states: “now I can officially declare that without this program, I wouldn't have had the experiences, the opportunities and the love that I share with those in my UB family. Most importantly, I wouldn't be who I am without it.” She recently graduated from the School for Advanced Studies with an Associates Degree and plans to attend the University of Florida, where she will major in Music while completing the prerequisite courses required for medical school.

Viodie Douceur

Douceur received a scholarship from the Chabela Foundation, which provides full scholarships to students in financial need. Students are eligible to apply for this scholarship if they: have at least a 3.5 weighted GPA; plan to attend a four-year college in the fall proceeding their high school graduation; have a minimum 28 ACT score or 1920 SAT score; present evidence of financial need; demonstrate dedication to community service; and do not yet possess a degree from a two- or four-year institution. Viodie has lived in Little Haiti for the majority of her 10 years in the United States, during which time she has mastered English and Spanish; and maintained a persistent drive to succeed in all that she does while developing into an independent, dedicated and focused young lady. These characteristics are seen in her leadership positions at school, where she serves as a Supervising Peer Mentor for the other students. Viodie is also extremely resourceful and has been an active participant of the youth programs for three years, using the academic and emotional guidance provided by the program staff. She is truly focused on her future and will contribute greatly after she graduates from Young Women’s Preparatory High School and pursues an International Studies degree at the University of Miami in the fall.