BankUnited Tour

On Thursday September 29, 2011, IHAD-Overtown, Inc. toured the BankUnited branch in Miami Lakes.  Our collaboration with BankUnited began last school year when SVP-Mtge. Division- Eric D. and his staff provided our Dreamers and Families with Money Matters workshops. Today, we were invited to get an up close/behind the scenes look at how one of Florida's largest bank branches (employing over 580) operates on a daily basis. Our trip  began with all of our Dreamers being greeted by smiling staff members and receiving ID badges, the group was then escorted to one of "many" conference rooms, where they were treated to a continental breakfast.  The Dreamers were given tips on "First Impressions" by Eric D. and Mary H., who both gave us insight to the "do's and don'ts" of the corporate world of work.  The remainder of the day consisted of learning about: Mortgage Services, Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Enterprise Risk Management, and a first hand look at the Call Center.  At the conclusion of our day, the Dreamers were treated with all the Papa John's pizza and soda they could stomach, gift bags, but most of all, a real life understanding of how the banking world works.  Special Thanks to our tour guides (bank employees): Rennie R., Omar R., Michael D., Suzanne R., Jackie R., and Danny S.

College Tour in Tallahassee, Florida

On July 24^th 2011 twenty-seven Dreamers left Miami, Florida at 10:30AM and embarked on an eight-hour bus ride to Tallahassee, our state’s capital, on an enormous blue coach bus. The purpose of the trip was to visit two universities (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Florida State University) and the Old and New Florida Capitol buildings.

Having to sit for eight hours isn’t the most pleasing thing in the world, but the bus ride to Tallahassee was very fun. It was like a huge slumber party!! We all had our pillows, P-Jays, and blankets. Whether we slept, watched endless amounts of DVDs, or listened to music, there was never a dull a moment!! For most of the Dreamers, this was their first time going to the state’s capital. Therefore, the constant greenery, hills, and brick buildings were a nice contrast to what is normally seen in Miami. We finally reached Tallahassee at 6:30PM and our first night there was spent eating dinner at Applebee’s and spending FOREVER in the indoor swimming pools at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel.

Our Monday morning started with a tour of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) campus, the home of the infamous Rattlesnakes and the Marching 100 marching band. After a very informative session with an Admissions representative, which the Dreamers took copious notes, the FAMU tour began! We saw the football arena, the bookstore, residential, chemistry and the performing arts buildings. Members of a fraternity were also kind enough to perform for us!! Our tour guide, Brandon, ended the tour with an interesting history fact: FAMU was built on the Duval property, a prominent slave plantation.

Our next stop was Florida State University (FSU). We were amazed at the size of FAMU, but FSU was ENORMOUS!! According to our guide, Jacqueline, the university was built with over 15 million bricks and started as women’s college. Similar to the admissions’ session at FAMU, the Dreamers also learned about the minimum requirements for admission into FSU. Many of the Dreamers were also happy to know that double majoring is an option for them if they decided to attend FSU. Overall, most of the Dreamers seemed to favor FSU over FAMU, but FAMU was more appealing to the students who wanted to major in fields associated with engineering, while those interested in law and the performing arts wished to attend FSU. Whichever they decide, the Dreamers will do GREAT!

The trip to Tallahassee ended on Tuesday after our visit to the Old and New Florida Capitol buildings. This is the building were Florida senators and representatives come to make decisions that affect the entire state. The Dreamers actually sat in the rooms where the senators and representatives meet to deliberate! We then traveled to the 22^nd floor where we had a beautiful view of the entire downtown Tallahassee area. Like the day prior, again we learned an interesting fact: the capitol building is the tallest building in Tallahassee!

The college tour was awesome! Although none of the Dreamers were ready for it to end, they left Tallahassee with a clearer idea of the possibilities offered to them in higher education.

Group picture before we begin the college tour

Hearing from a FAMU representative the requirements for admissions into the university

Walking across FAMU's campus

Fact of the Day: FSU was built with over 15 million bricks!!

Sitting on the steps of the Old Capitol building...the tallest building in Tallahassee!

2011 Summer Academy

For 21 days (June 23-July 21), the Dreamers spent part of their summer in Summer Academy at Florida International University.  For the first part of each day, the Dreamers rotated between three academic courses: mathematics, language arts, and college prep. To make things more interesting, the Dreamers were split into three teams where competitions were held in each academic class. Opportunities for points were based on attendance, behavior, participation, and actual Team Competitions (such as Math Jeopardy, which was super fun!!)

The second part of each day was spent in an enrichment activity held either by the College of Engineering, College of Nursing, College of Law, or the Black Student Union. For the College of Engineering, the Dreamers spent the entire summer building bridges constructed simply from popsicle sticks and wood glue! The goal was to build a bridge that held at least 4 pounds, but the Dreamers exceeded this goal: one group of students, lead by Narquavia Brown, built a bridge that held 138 pounds!! One group had such great architectural design of their bridge and had the opportunity to present it to the Dean of the College of Engineering…AWESOME.

The Dreamers also engaged in exciting activities with the College of Nursing. They learned about athletic training; how to treat concussions and spinal cord injuries; and occupational and physical therapy. The Dreamers seemed to enjoy the simulation activities the most, where life size manikins served as patients. The manikins were computerized and Dreamers were able to feel the manikins’ pulse and test their blood pressure! The College of Law was also interesting especially for the Dreamers aspiring to be lawyers and judges. Learned the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony; and also learned the appropriate conditions under which police officers are able to stop, arrest, and question people. Most importantly, the Dreamers learned the steps necessary to get into a law school.

The Black Student Union (BSU) also had nice activities planned for the Dreamers. Dreamers played Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-BSU Edition and heard a poem recited by one the BSU members, which the Dreamers seemed to like a lot (the poet repeated her poem twice!). BSU members also lead important discussion topics such as bullying and decision-making. BSU ended their session with the Dreamers with a few “old school” childhood games: Heads Up 7 Seven Up and Four Corners!! Although teenagers now, the Dreamers enjoyed themselves!

Most teenagers want nothing to do with school during the summer, but the Dreamers were willing to attend Summer Academy anyway…they’re AWESOME!!!

Building bridges out of popsicle sticks and wood glue

Athletic Trainers taught us how to test for concussions

                                

Simulation activities with the College of Nursing

                                  

Treating victims of spinal cord injuries

                                  

Mr. Lewis and a few Dreamers

                                           

End-of-Year Bash

Thursday, June 9th, we held our End-of-Year Bash at Nautilus Middle School. It was nice to celebrate the ending of the school year and spend time with mentors, community partners, and friends. We had light refreshments along with a delicious cake to celebrate the promotion of our Dreamers to 8th and 9th grade.

For the students heading to different high schools, it was a bitter sweet moment. They were able to say "good-bye" to their middle school family but were super excited to be going into high school. For those rising 8th graders, they were a little sad to be saying "good-bye" to their 8th grade friends/family, nonetheless, they were excited about becoming upper-classmen. 

During the ceremony, all mentors present were acknowledged for their dedication and commitment to their mentee' and were awarded a certificate of appreciation. Also, community partners were acknowledged for the work they have done with I Have a Dream-Overtown during the past year. Lastly, to end the party on a lighter note, the Dreamers were able to discover the results of their Superlative votes. The following superlatives were award to the following Dreamers:

Most Artistic: Demani Blatch & Vernon Maddox

Teacher's Pet: Sendy Joseph & Christian Cruz

Class Clown: Demani Blatch & Matt Lumpkin

Best Hair: Jaimesha Smith & Malik Williams

Most Likely to become President: Sendy Joseph & Alejandro Castro

Best Smile: Jaimesha Smith & Kama Jackson Jr.

Most Likely to give Mr. Lewis a Headache: 

Wadlene Fritz & Markel Anderson

Most Quiet: Madeline Cruz & Cristian Mena

Best Dress: Narquavia Brown & Kama Jackson Jr.

Biggest Facebook Addict: Wadlene Fritz & Matt Lumpkin (photo of Matt only)

Most Athletic: Demani Blatch & Malik Williams 

Best Leadership: Emanuella Dixon & Kama Jackson Jr. 

Best Eyes: Jaimesha Smith & Jeremiah Rivera

Funniest Laugh: Estrella Arauz & Malik Williams

Most Talkative: Emanuella Dixon & Matt Lumpkin

Most Friendly: Sendy Joseph & Kama Jackson Jr. 

We would like to send a personal "Thank you" to all the mentors, community partners, friends, and family members that have helped sustain I Have a Dream-Overtown, Inc. for another successful year. 

Biscayne National Park (Homestead)

On May 28th the Dreamers were invited to Biscayne National Park.  Ms. Hill (our VISTA) along with park ranger: Chris Beers helped to organize the event.  The day began with the Dreamers taking a nice 45 minute bus ride south to Homestead (for many of our Dreamers, it was their very first time traveling that far south).  Once we arrived, Ranger Chris gathered us to discuss park history along with some of the ecological and environmental things we might encounter.  Did you know that Florida Flatworms were hermaphroditic? Our Dreamers witnessed how two male flatworms would "cross swords" the loser, destined to morph into a female and assume the "motherly" duties of carrying/caring for the young.  After our ecological lesson, Ranger Chris took the group outside to begin their Canoe Adventure.  This included: safety precautions, manuvering, and canoe protocal (who sits where/responsible for what).  All the dreamers were paired in groups of three, boarded their canoes, and set sail!  After navigating the calm gentle waters of the park, we all docked at an island about half a mile from shore, and had lunch. ON THE ISLAND!  The day concluded with a "friendly" race back to shore (won by Milton, Precious, and Mr. Lewis).  Best of all we had no capsized vessels on this day, and each Dreamer raved about the first time experience.  Thank again to Ranger Chris Beers and Ms. Hill, along with chaparones: P.Romaniuk, N.Roling and M. D'Amico.

Coast Guard Air Station

On Monday, April 4th, we traveled to Opa Locka, FL to visit the Coast Guard Air Station. After learning the duties of the Coast Guard at sea, we wanted to explore what they do in the air. We were able to walk through one of their largest planes, which holds up to 42 people. Interesting fact: some of these planes have a small kitchenette area (sink and toaster oven), which allows passengers to eat on very long flights. Sadly, the oven on the plane takes longer to warm up food than the oven in your home--a pizza roll takes 2 minutes to warm up in a home microwave but 1 hour on the plane. For a majority of the Dreamers this was their first time on a plane, although we didn't go in the air. Also, we were able to view other smaller jets and watch the landing and taking-off of the a helicopter. All in all, it was a fun and new experience. How many non-Coast Guard people can say they have been on a Coast Guard ship and plane?
Big thanks to our Coast Guard volunteers for putting this trip together and another thanks to all the volunteers who showed up (Patricia, Martinique, Sarah, Simon, Karen, and Eric)!