BY DR. BARBARA J. MCLEAN-SMITH, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ORLANDO – The art of giving thanks and being thankful was not wasted on Orlando’s young men. These twelve young men from area high schools were sponsored and presented by the Moderneers Youth Education of Orlando, Inc., during 2022-2023 season. The young men began their service in September, 2022 and were presented to the community on June 3, 2023 with a formal gala held at the Rosen Plaza, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL.
The young men, namely, Dequavion Austin, Donovan Francois, Kyle Johnson, Christian Luckie, Miquell Luckie, Jr, Gian Mahon, Matthew Nunn, Willbenzkey Pierre, Nicholas Pruitt, Lemuel Robinson, Charles Williams, III and Nathaniel Worrell, all are grounded in the belief and motto: “Our Future is Created by What We Do Today.”
Each of the young men were awarded incentives for the work, time, and effort they provided in helping others in our community. Three of them, Donovan Francois, Kyle Johnson, and Matthew Nunn, received scholarships as they were about to embark on their college careers. Donovan Francois, recipient of the Mildred Brewer $1000 scholarship is now a “Florida Gator” at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Donovan also received a Thelma Watson $500.00 scholarship. Kyle Johnson received a Thelma Watson Scholarship in the amount of $500.00 and he is attending the University of Connecticut, “UConn”. Matthew Nunn, a high school junior at the time of the presentations, received a $500.00 in the name of Thelma Watson to attend an accredited college/university of his choice beginning in 2023-2024.
In keeping with their motto, some of what they are doing today included, but is not limited to: visiting Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to distribute personal “toiletry bags” to the residents. Included in their projects was a visit and December 2022 distribution of toys and gifts to 25 children at the Hal Marston Community Center. These young men had an impact that will be long remembered by senior citizens and children, alike. Indeed, their future is created by what they do today.
The Moderneers continue to make a difference by reaching out to the community this 2023 year. The Orlando Rescue Mission received a monetary donation and two families were availed Thanksgiving food baskets with complete meals during November 2023. Christmas plans for 2023 have not been finalized at this writing; however, the Moderneers’ benevolence will be imminent during the coming holiday and the year ahead.
