SAS North Graduate Honored by MDCPS Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
The attached photo from left includes SAS Principal Dr. Omar Monteagudo, School Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, SAS North Counselor Dr. Michael Townsel, Wendy Edmond, Wensley Edmond (brother) Marie Joseph (mother) and Luis Edmond (father).
Miami, March 26, 2012 -
School for Advanced Studies (SAS) North graduate Wendy Edmond was honored at the Miami Dade County Public Schools Board March meeting by Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall. Born in Haiti, Wendy moved to the United States at the age of seven and learned to speak English when he entered Miami Dade County Public Schools. He made so much progress in the ensuing years that by the time he was a junior in high school, he was able to enter the challenging School for Advanced Studies (rated by Newsweek Magazine as the 28th best high school in the United States).
While at SAS, Wendy became an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors and was able to complete an Associate in Arts Degree with Miami Dade College. He also was the recipient of the coveted Gates Millennium Scholarship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which covers his undergraduate and graduate studies.
At age 19, Wendy became the youngest graduating member of the University of Miami School of Nursing Class of 2011 when he received his Bachelor's Degree. UM President Donna Shalala introduced Wendy as the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremonies and acknowledged his inspirational story.
In her presentation to Wendy at the March School Board meeting, Dr. Bendross Mindingall commended Wendy for his commitment to education. "His academic and personal achievements are a testament to his perseverance and dedication to excellence." Wendy was accompanied at the meeting by his brother and both parents.
Recently, Wendy has been utilizing his acquired skills and medical knowledge at the Miami Shores Haitian Creole Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses Church. He has been working with the youth in the congregation on health-related topics such as teen pregnancy, HIV prevention and avoiding drug and alcohol abuse as he awaits the next step in his educational journey.