At the February School Board meeting, Dr. Steve Gallon III recognized the 2018 5000 Role Model Wilson Scholars.

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project was founded in 1993 by Dr. Frederica S. Wilson, a steadfast supporter of improving public education and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. A dropout prevention program, the mission of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is to intervene in the lives of at-risk youth and provide them with alternatives to dropping out of school and self-destructive behaviors.

This year, Wilson Scholars included students from the following senior high schools: Coral Gables, Coral Reef, Felix Varela, Miami Coral Park, Miami Jackson, Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College, Miami Northwestern, Miami Palmetto, Miami Senior, North Miami, and William H. Turner Technical School of the Arts.

Since the inception of the program, over $10 million in scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors.

The Item was co-sponsored by Ms. Perla Tabres Hantman, Chair, Dr. Martin Karp, Vice Chair, Dr. Lawrence Feldman, Ms. Lubby Navarro, Dr. Marta Perez, and Ms. Mari Tere Rojas.