OLE is ALIVE DREAM SEEKER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS $4 THOUSAND IN 2010

Posted May 7, 2010 by Albert Owens

Updated May 29, 2010 at 07:14 AM

Thanks Governor Crist, and Highland Homes, for making this year Dream Seeker Scholarship Program a huge success!!! On behalf of the Class of 2010 “OLE IS ALIVE Scholarship Recipients…Thanks to all of the supporters…This could not happen without each and everyone of you……The Bucified & OLE IS ALIVE 2010 , television Special will be airing soon!.. To find out more about our Title Sponsor “Highland Homes” please go to http://www.highlandhomes.org  Special Thanks to the Governors Assistance Valerie Houston!! 

OLE is ALIVE DREAM SEEKER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS $4 THOUSAND IN 2010

May 5th, 2010 Tampa, FL – Four seniors from high schools in Hillsborough County will receive a $1,000 scholarship Wednesday, May 5th as part of the 4th annual “OLE is Alive” Dream Seeker Scholarship program.

Those students are: Middleton High School’s Vasty Paul, Jerlna T. Jackson and Elisse Jean-Pierre of Hillsborough High School and Jaclyn Svetlena Stephens from Brandon High.

New this year: HighlandHomes.org has joined the team as the title sponsor and primary scholarship funder, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist recognized the program in an official affirmation letter.

The event announcing the recipients will take place at 6pm at WFLA-TV and Tampa Tribune News Center breezeway located at 200 S. Parker St in Tampa. News Channel 8 Anchors, Stacie Schaible and Rod Carter will help present the scholarships to the students. Highlights include:

• 2010 Dream Seeker “OLE Is Alive” Scholarship winners will arrive by limo courtesy of Metro Cars Executive Services.
• Tuxedos will be provided by Frank’s Formal Wear.
• Hairstyles provided by Simone Avery of Excel In Style Hair Salon
• “Bucified Bert” will unveil his new 2010 costume. 
• New music produced at Ron Rose Studios and featuring BK Jackson, the Bucified Dream Seeker Student performers.
• The Rhino Cube will bring the music and light presentation to life at the event.
• Event speaker, Owen Young, Principal of Middleton High School, who recently received an Appreciation Certificate from the General Director of Federal Programs for Outstanding Leadership.
• The Black Diamond Award recognizing him as Educator of the Year from the Mt. Pleasant Family, and the Professional Involvement Award from the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators.
• We will honor a living legend and retired teacher, Dorothy C. York, by giving a Book Scholarship to one this years’ Dream Seeker “OLE Is Alive” Recipients.
• There may also be a special guest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The “OLE is Alive” Dream Seeker Scholarship was developed in 2006 by Albert Owens in honor of his late mother, Emma Lee, who was and still is, a great inspiration to him. That is why the scholarships are handed out near Mother’s Day.  OLE is an acronym for Operation Legacy Emma Lee.  Since the start of the program in 2006, 12 students have been selected to receive scholarships of $1,000 to use toward their higher education.  They are selected based on their academic performance, community service, and raising above negative peer pressure.

Albert was named the 2009 Volunteer of the Year, by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Despite hard economic times, Albert managed to continue the program this year. “Failure is not an option,” he says. “I have to honor my mother.” Through his alter ego, an energetic and colorful Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan and mascot named “Bucified Bert,” Albert teaches important and useful humor with the acronym “BUCIFIED.” (Be Understanding Citizens Identifying Friendly Individuals Each Day).

The “OLE is Alive” Dream Seeker Scholarship is over seen by All Sports Community Service, a non-profit organization.