Caption: Foundation Executive Director, Andria Hanley, left, presents Jessica Herrera a check from the Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship Fund
By Matt Bokor, Executive Editor gableshomepage.com
June 15, 2010
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Homeless but determined, Jessica Herrera remained focused on her studies and her dream of going to college as she graduated recently in the top 10 percent of her class at Coral Gables Senior High School. Not only is she the first in her family to graduate from high school, Jessica has been awarded a combination of scholarships and aid to carry her through Florida International University for four years starting this fall.
“My teachers and everyone came together and helped me get on my feet,” Jessica explained tearfully at a recent Coral Gables Community Foundation board meeting where she was presented with the $1,200 Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship. (Lady Tweed died in 1999 at age 99. With no children of her own, she left a legacy to help deserving students continue their education.) “Jessica really touched my heart,” said Andria Hanley, executive director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. “She’s an outstanding student and has an amazing story . . . She is a real superstar in our eyes.”
A U.S. citizen born of Nicaraguan parents, Jessica lived most of her senior year at the Homeless Assistance Center in Miami. A Gables High teacher, who lives on Brickell Avenue, gave Jessica a ride to school every day. Since elementary school Jessica and her family moved from place to place. Her sister, who lives with an aunt in a trailer, gave up and quit school. Her parents couldn’t find steady work. There was little food, and sometimes none. Meanwhile, her mother’s application for temporary residence was denied, and she’s heading back to Nicaragua. Through it all, Jessica managed to excel in school with a 5.5 GPA in the I.B. program and a 1270 on the S.A.T. And she did volunteer work – all as a homeless student with a loving but splintered family.
“I always had the hope of going to college,” Jessica said. “I didn’t think I would get to – I’m really, really grateful.”
If you would like to make a donation to Jessica, please make your check payable to:
Jessica Herrera Account 10013175
Mail checks to:
Bank of Coral Gables
2295 Galiano Street
Coral Gables, FL 33134
