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Youth and commissioners press Miramar staff to expand UNCF scholarship eligibility beyond three schools; staff says agreement limits applications for first two‑
Summary
Students urged the City Commission to open the city's UNCF scholarship to all Miramar residents. Chief of staff said an agreement with UNCF currently restricts applications to Miramar High, Everglades High and Somerset Academy for year one; staff will review expansion options after the contract period.
At the public‑comment portion of the Jan. 22 Miramar City Commission meeting, Sudan Eubanks, co‑president of the Miramar Youth Advisory Council, urged the commission to expand a $5,000 UNCF scholarship the city launched so that all academically qualified Miramar residents — including students who attend private schools, magnet programs or are homeschooled — may apply.
"This restriction excludes other Miramar residents who attend private schools, magnet schools, or are homeschooled students," Sudan said during her three‑minute slot, urging equity and inclusion for city‑funded scholarship opportunities.
Chief of Staff Cassandra Lindsay answered commissioners’ questions in the chambers. Lindsay told the commission that Miramar has an agreement with UNCF to provide scholarships for two years and that under the current agreement only students from Miramar High, Everglades High and Somerset Academy may apply during year one. "As of now, the agreement states that only students from Miramar High, Everglades High, and Somerset Academy can apply for this scholarship," she said, and added staff will revisit the agreement and consider Sudan’s suggestion for expansion when the two‑year period allows changes.
Mayor Wayne Messam clarified that the scholarship is not funded from city general‑fund dollars and that the city has a contractual arrangement with UNCF. Several commissioners, including Commissioner Colburn and Commissioner Chambers, praised Sudan’s advocacy and urged staff to work with UNCF to expand eligibility in future years. Commissioner Colburn said the scholarship program is just starting and the city intends to broaden access.
There was no commission vote on the request. Staff said they will review the existing UNCF agreement and report back on options to expand eligibility once the contractual timeline permits.
