COMMUNITY LEADERS “OPEN THE DOOR” TO A NEW DAY IN PRIVATE EDUCATION
MIAMI, Fla. – December 13, 2006 - More than 100 guests, including City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and the board of directors of Ocean Bank, came together November 30 for a celebration of progress and diversity in private education. The cocktail reception was aimed to raise awareness of the new Agape Scholarship Program among South Florida’s political and business leaders. The scholarship program has already offered the high-quality Belen education to seven new students this year, and will make the school more accessible to African-American students in South Florida for several more. Together, Ocean Bank and Belen have committed $1.2 million to the Agape Scholarship Program over the next seven years to fund a limited number of full scholarships for African-American students at Belen, covering the almost $10,000 annual tuition plus books, uniforms, and extra-curricular activities.
During the reception, local Cuban-American artist Tony Mendoza used vibrant blue and gold, Belen’s official colors, to paint the image of a door on a canvass in the main lobby of Ocean Bank. The painting, which was auctioned for $1,500 at the end of the night, was meant to symbolize the opening of the doors for new opportunities in education.
Mayor Manny Diaz, a Belen alumnus, addressed the assembly to congratulate both Ocean Bank and Belen for their commitment to and progress in improving diversity in private education. The school, with a rich history that dates back to 1840’s Cuba, has a long-standing relevance in the Hispanic community, but virtually none among African-Americans. The program and the reception hoped to change that, challenging other local corporations to support academic scholarship programs for underprivileged and minority youths in Miami-Dade County. "Belen is an institution that has been, for too long, considered a place almost exclusively for the Hispanic student," said Tony Cabrera, a director with Ocean Bank. "We want the African-American community to acknowledge Belen as an option. It will benefit the school, the students, and this community at large to have more diverse classes, and alumni."
To be considered for the Agape Scholarship, applicants must first be accepted to the school by meeting standard academic requirements expected of all Belen students, such as past grades and passing an entrance exam.
To ensure the success of their new students, a broad-based scholarship committee was created, including counselors, teachers, alumni, the athletic director, a spiritual advisor, school administrators and four Ocean Bank representatives. The group addresses new ideas and challenges and works to constantly improve the model as well as the academic and social experiences of their beneficiaries. "When we say success, we're not just talking about academic success," said Javier Riera, director of development at Belen. "The most important success Belen strives for is formation -- something that encompasses everything, something that prepares these kids for the difficulties of life and all its details."
One of the seven Agape Scholarship recipients, a freshman at Belen, said, "There's just a different vibe at the school. It's a lot more challenging, but I like it." The student, whose name is being withheld for privacy reasons, added, "I just want to be able to get into a good college and at Belen I know I can do that."
Ocean Bank is the largest privately owned commercial bank in Florida, with more than 1,000 employees and 21 branches throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. During the last 24 years, it has financed some of the most important real estate projects and is one of the most active small business lenders in South Florida. With deep roots in the South Florida community, Ocean Bank’s Agape Scholarship program at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School is only the latest in a long-standing commitment to support educational programs that help the community thrive. Since 1993, The Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials provides Miami-Dade County Pubic School teachers with free, year-round access to surplus materials, supplies, equipment and furniture donated by area businesses. The Bank also contributes substantial funds to Florida International University, the United Negro College Fund, Florida Memorial College, and the Alex Rodriguez Educational Center at the Boys and Girls Club of Miami.
Since 1854, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School has aimed at developing - through critical analysis and the discussion of ideas - academically motivated young men, with the knowledge and moral foundation necessary for success in college and their future.
To learn more about the Agape Scholarship Program, or to obtain an application, visit: www.oceanbank.com or www.belenjesuit.org
