Dajuh Sawyer and Dontreal Fletcher had an idea. Their idea was to help other students just like them, students who worked hard all their lives, were headed to college and weren’t given every possibility to succeed, but they did so anyway.
"My mom, she stopped at her diploma in high school; my father, 8th grade,” said Sawyer. “So I not only do this for myself, but I do it for my family. [I also do it] for these recipients who share the same story that I have."
Sawyer and Fletcher co-founded “The Make It Out” Scholarship. This is the first year for the scholarship.
Sawyer and Fletcher got donations from the St. Petersburg community as well as crowdfunding help from Go Fund Me. In its first year, the grassroots effort raised $700.
Each student received a $100 check. While that may not seem like a big amount when you’re talking about college expenses, the gesture is going a long way for recipients like Eriana Redix. "Every penny counts. $100 can do a lot in college,” said Redix. "I am blessed and I am thankful that I got this scholarship."
Redix, just like Sawyer, will be the first person in her family to go to college "I made my parents happy knowing that I am doing something they couldn't or didn't have the opportunity to do,” said Redix.
For the recipients and the founders of the scholarship, this is a lot more than just the money. It’s about being part of a positive movement they hope will continue.
For more information on the Make It Out scholarship, email them at MakeItOutScholarship@gmail.com.
