The Journey Continues

At the Q we are saying goodbye to some family members. While we will miss them, it is a happy moment. These youths have graduated from high school, and are embarking on the next part of their journey. For all of them, it begins with college. Congratulations to Terrell Brunson, Angel Escobar, Remy Johnson, KeeShaurn McCaulley, Jeremiah Rice, and Zah’Cauria Smart.

Two of these graduates have been named as the recipients of the 2017 Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship which are presented to outstanding students who have participated in Quality Life Center programs. Remy Johnson and KeeShaurn McCaulley each earned a $1,250 scholarship award.

KeeShaurn was involved in football and track in high school, and has participated in Quality Life Center programs since he was 5 years old.

In addition to academic activities, KeeShaurn has been involved in martial arts, dance, and drama, including standout performances as Rafiki in Lion “Qing” and as Mr. Stacks in last year’s Ann-ee.

KeeShaurn graduated from Bishop Verot High School. He will be attending Webber International University to study sports management on a football scholarship. His career goal is to become a high school football recruiter here in Southwest Florida. He would like to cultivate the talent in his community while also imparting the type of guidance he was provided, possibly through a youth football organization dedicated to a friend, Eddie Buggs who passed away from cancer at the age of 13.

He said many people at the Q influenced him, and taught him important lessons. Among them that athletics is cool, but places like the Q are where you build a brotherhood; and the importance of people who support you. It may be uncomfortable, it may even be painful, but they are the people who bring out the best in you.

At age 6, Remy Johnson experienced the trauma of being torn from her mother and everyone she knew, and being handed over to multiple strangers. It was in foster care that she learned what it means to be strong. At age 18, she is the first in her family to graduate from high school and go to college.

A challenging childhood didn’t stop her from dreaming. She imagined herself as a heart surgeon, a tennis player, a chef. Remy’s future plans crystalized as a freshman at Dunbar High School with a class: the Principles of Biomedical Science. Her interest was sparked and she took every class offered in the biomedical program. She will begin Florida SouthWestern State College in the fall, minoring in Biomedical Science and majoring in Nursing.

Throughout high school, Remy was active in Literacy Club, H.O.S.A (Health Occupations Students of America), Prom Committee, Scholars Club and volleyball. She was also a leader in Quality Life Center’s teen program. She took part in service projects, volunteered with the younger children, helped create and run a business as an academic project at the center, and took on a variety of leadership responsibilities, including speaking at public meetings with community leaders and moderating a school board debate. She was able to earn income for school expenses through paid internships the last two summers, and as front desk staff for the last year at Quality Life Center.

All of our students have different challenges, different strengths and different paths, but they share a strong motivation and sense of community.  To all of the young people, we are proud of you, and happy to call you family.