Firewall’s First Annual Servant Leader Scholarship!
PRESENTED TO GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ANNALYSE DEFRANK AND KATHIA CARRANZA
Kathy has been a part of the Firewall program since she was in the 6th grade. Janeth Fernandez says “I still remember Kathy when she started Firewall. She would work so hard on her academics. She didn’t even speak English at the time, but had such a great desire to better herself that it didn’t hold her back. My favorite part about Kathy is her heart to serve. She loves to help people and always has a smile on her face!”
She learned from a young age that hard work and perseverance produce great results. We knew her potential so as soon as she became a junior in high school, we offered her an internship opportunity to mentor our middle school students. Of course, Kathy was happy to give back and did an excellent job. We were happy to see her grow, mature, and become a great role mole to her students. In her senior year, we were pleased to hire her as a mentor, but this time as part-time staff member.
Kathy believes that there is no excuse for not doing your best. Growing up, she overcame many obstacles and therefore she pushed her own group of Firewall students to excel and had faith that they could do the same.” Kathy graduated from Western High School this year with a 3.57 GPA and over 400 community service hours. She is great with our students and building relationships and wants to be an HR professional in the future. We are so proud of her and know that she will continue to do great things in her community.
Annalyse also came to Firewall in the 6th grade, but we have known her since she was in 4th grade when she would come to the Center every day to pick up her brother, Angelo. Janeth Fernandez remembers how “quiet and shy she was, but was always so interested in learning every chance she could. Annalyse was always smart about surrounding herself with good people that encouraged her to work harder.
I can’t even picture Annalyse’s face without a big smile or a giggle. We knew she was a natural servant leader when she was always the first to run up and volunteer at all of our Firewall events. Annalyse has a way of standing out in a crowd and it’s definitely not because she is that shy little girl anymore. In fact, we all know when Annalyse enters the Firewall Center as she shouts her arrival. However, it’s because there is always joy when she is around. Her great work ethic paired with a wonderful attitude makes her stand out in all she does.”
Annalyse wants to be an elementary school teacher and would make the best one, as she is very loving and caring. When she was in her junior year of high school, we gave her an opportunity to intern with Firewall’s middle school students. She did a great job and with her smiles and caring personality, she made sure the students did their homework every day. In her senior year, we also hired her as a part-time mentor to our middle school students. Annalyse just graduated from Western High School with a 3.54 GPA. She too maintained excellent grades, completed over 300 community service hours, and even dual enrolled at Broward College, taking five college classes as a senior. We are confident that Annalyse will eternally impact all of the kids who are blessed enough to have her as a teacher in the future!
We’re Hiring
With all of our growth and success we have lots of positions to fill!
Mentor
Part-time: 10-12 hours per week
(3-6 p.m., Monday – Thursday)
Area Director
Full-time: 40 hours per week
Community Relations Director
Full-time: 40 hours per week
LOCATIONS:
Davie, Sunrise, Plantation, Pompano Beach
Wow, what a year! It was incredible to see all of our students, parents, staff, supporters, and volunteers gathered together to celebrate at Firewall’s annual award’s ceremony. At the event, beach balls were tossed around the crowd, certificates of participation were handed to students, pictures were taken, and individual students from across Firewall’s six Centers were recognized for their achievements as was the graduating senior class.
There’s a lot of talk about HAPPINESS these days… How to find happiness, the benefits of happiness, and what does it really mean to be HAPPY?
On Saturday, May 3rd, Firewall Students along with their Firewall mentors, Regent Bank volunteers, and other community leaders worked hard as they served at the Davie Fire Station, planted trees at the Davie Police Station, landscaped public spaces, painted at the Davie Rodeo Grounds, cleaned up and beautified Pompano Beach Middle School by mulching, planting trees and flowers, as well as served food to the homeless in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Firewall Centers hosted its Serve-A-Thon event, a hands-on opportunity for students to learn the value of giving back while making a lasting difference in their neighborhoods. Thanks to a $15,000 match together with the support of Regent Bank and many generous Firewall Friends, we were able to raise over $50,000 that will allow us to continue to transform the lives of more at-risk youth every day.
On Friday, February 28th, Firewall Centers walked the red carpet at the 4th Annual PNC Bank Non-Profit Academy Awards presented by 211 Broward. We are honored and thrilled to be so highly recognized in our community
