Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA champion with the Miami HEAT, was the guest speaker at yesterday’s end-of-year celebration for Carnival’s Scholarship & Mentoring Program, which matches Miami-Dade County high school students with a member of the company’s management team to provide students with a first-hand look at the business world. The students are all former attendees of the Miami HEAT Academy, an after-school enrichment program for at-risk youth.
An 11-time NBA All-Star, Wade offered an inspirational and engaging presentation to nearly 100 students and their mentors, focusing on achieving life goals, sacrifice, the importance of education and overcoming obstacles. Following his presentation, Wade opened up the floor for questions, posed for photos and presented awards to students who achieved the highest grade point average for the past academic year.
Now in its eighth year, Carnival’s Scholarship & Mentoring Program is operated in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters and includes an opportunity for seniors to apply for full four-year scholarships purchased by Carnival through the Florida Pre-Paid College Scholarship Program. Thus far, Carnival has awarded 60 scholarships to graduating seniors and has purchased a total of 150 scholarships worth more than $2 million.
