OCEAN BANK
OFFERS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
MIAMI, FL – May 19, 2006 – Four graduating students from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School will receive scholarships to continue their education thanks to local community bank, Ocean Bank. Carlos Hondal, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Ocean Bank along with other bank executives will present the scholarship awards today during the school’s graduation ceremony. The bank offered each of the four students $500 to be used for high school expenses which may include registration fees and books. In addition to the scholarships, the bank will also award the students $450 worth of U.S. savings bonds. The scholarship recipients are:
Ashley M. Velázquez – Most Improved Award
Simone Cook – Leadership Award
Stacey Eady – Academic Award
Nadia Burke – Community Service Award
“This is the seventh year in a row that we offer St. Francis students scholarships in order for them to continue their education,” said Hondal. “As an institution that is deeply rooted in our community, we are pleased to offer our support and we are looking forward to continuing to work with St. Francis School and Miami Inner City Angels to help students reach their full potential. Ocean Bank is very proud to be able to attend the St. Francis Xavier graduation and participate in this very important institution in Overtown.
This school is a special place that has a wonderful combination of teachers, parents, grandparents, family and especially, students. Seeing these students improve and overcome many obstacles and succeed in academics, community service and leadership, should inspire and motivate others to get more involved with a school like St. Francis Xavier,” said Hondal.
“We hope that our support will assist both the Archdiocese of Miami and the community in general to provide help to this school, which strongly needs it,” he added. Ocean Bank has committed $10,000 per year in funds to St. Francis Xavier School students. In addition to the end-of-year “Ocean Bank Awards,” which total $2,000, Ocean Bank also provides the school’s general scholarship fund with eight $1,000 scholarships. These eight scholarships, totaling $8,000 are offered to students from different grades. During 2006, the Bank made a special and separate donation of $5,000 for the School’s “wish list,” which includes various needs like supplies, signage for the school and other necessities.
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is the only private school in overtown. St. Francis was the first Catholic Church and school for African-Americans in Miami. The school was in the midst of closing when Miami Inner City Angels, a non-profit 501 © (3) organization, led by Michael Caricarte, Jr., organized a grass roots effort to raise funds for the school.
Ocean Bank is the largest independent commercial bank headquartered in the state of Florida, with more than $5.8 billion in assets and $5.1 billion in deposits. Chartered in 1982, Ocean Bank operates a network of 21 branches throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Ocean Bank is recognized as a leader in community relations efforts and has received numerous awards from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Beacon Council, the March of Dimes and the Florida Department of Education for its efforts in helping our community.
