FUTURES Awards scholarships to Tomorrow’s Leaders

DAYTONA BEACH -- FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools awarded five scholarships totaling $4,500 to high school seniors from its 2023-24 Tomorrow’s Leaders Program.  This is the 37th year for this program which develops young leaders for our community.

This year’s scholarships were made possible by sponsorships from Dr. Roosevelt D. Harris and the Daytona Heart Group. Dr. Harris presented the scholarships awards during the FUTURES Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduation in April 2025. The following students were selected:

• Jazlyn Johnson, Atlantic High - Bert & Julie Reames Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship
• Adalyn Foster, DeLand High - Daytona Heart Group Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship
• Gavin Wiese, New Smyrna Beach High - Dr. Rosaria C. Upchurch, PH.D., LMFT Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship
• Benjamin Kim, Spruce Creek High - Dr. Roosevelt D. Harris Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship
• Katie Blix, University High - Daytona Heart Group Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship

As juniors last year, these Tomorrow’s Leaders attended five day-long seminars facilitated by FUTURES board members, business leaders and governmental leaders.  The seminars were designed to familiarize the students with different aspects and services in Volusia County and to develop leadership skills. They were challenged to expand their awareness of the interrelationships and complexities of our community.

          Founded in 1985, FUTURES is a nonprofit, direct support organization for Volusia County Schools. Its mission is to engage business, civic, and district leaders to promote and achieve educational excellence for Volusia County Public Schools. FUTURES’s 30-member board of directors consists of area leaders who direct and raise funds to facilitate a variety of programs in the school district, including Tomorrow’s Leaders. For more information about FUTURES Foundation, please contact Shimene Shepard, Executive Director, at (386) 255-6475, extension 50730, or futuresfoundation@volusia.k12.fl.us.

Pictured, left to right, are: Dr. Rosaria Upchurch, LMFT, Dr. Roosevelt D. Harris; Benjamin Kim, Spruce Creek High; Gavin Wiese, New Smyrna Beach High; Jazlyn Johnson, Atlantic High; Katie Blix, University High; Adalyn Foster, DeLand High; FUTURES Foundation Asst. Director Stephanie C. Parks