2023 FEATURED RECIPIENTS
Alexa FLEITES
2023 RECIPIENT
"I’ve always been called an old soul. I loved sitting with adults instead of my friends during birthday parties, bonding with parents over how bad video games are and sitting with my parents and watching “novelas” at 9 PM. As young as I was, my brain never let me be a worry free child, just living in the moment. From a very young age, I was filled with anxiety and nerves over “adult issues,” as my mom would call them. Seeing my dad lose his job countless times or working three jobs to barely be able to make rent left me with a perpetual worry over money. As I grew older, I felt the unbearing pressure money would have over me my entire life. College still loomed right around the corner and I was still not sure if I’d be able to pay for my higher education. The one massive goal I had might have ended up in failure. Thankfully the Reach for the Stars Foundation brought hope and harmony back into my life. This scholarship means that a peaceful and powerful life is ahead of me, without a cloud of endless worries flying over me."
laRISSA rAMIREZ
2023 RECIPIENT
“Activism has allowed me to find a central part of my identity, and I know that through the financial support from the Alan R. Epstein “Reach for the Stars” Scholarship, I’ll only develop it further.
Being a first generation Latina studying politics, I often feel disadvantaged and isolated. However, through the abundant network and professional development resources provided by the “Reach for the Stars” Scholarship, I will feel supported in my college career and succeed. I have hosted many professional development and college readiness workshops targeted toward women within my community in order to bridge the inequality gap. It is extremely essential for young women of color to be given support through their educational years. In my internship with ‘Girls of Transformation Mentoring Program’, I was given the privilege of tutoring and guiding young girls at risk of expulsion; I provided them with both homework help and personal advice, as they often had no role models at home.
Through my community involvement, I truly hope to bridge the gap between minority groups and their accessibility to resources. I’m constantly advocating for social well-being within Miami. The Miami Foundation will allow me to pursue a university degree, which will give me the space to interconnect my various passions; the possibilities are truly endless, as I’ll constantly learn and grow as an individual.”
jacqueline banegas
2023 recipient
“Some of the hardest times can often lead to the greatest moments of your life, so you must keep going. Tough situations build strong people. It is during these trying times that true character is born and defined.
No matter what has stood in my way, I have stayed true to myself and continued pursuing my dreams. Through obstacles in my life, I have found my resilience, determination and grit and look forward to what lies ahead of me. I want to study criminal justice & pre-law at the University of Central Florida and then give back to others. Through the Alan R. Epstein "Reach for the Stars" Scholarship, I am able to start my journey in this next chapter of my life. It is my sincerest desire to reach for the stars, accomplish my goals, and live up to the legacy of the Epstein family foundation, and then one day in the future, give back and help others, like me, reach for their stars.”