Honorable Mention Winner
Wendy Reed
Manatee Comm. College—Venice
Sophomore in Secondary Education
3.85 GPA

Wendy Reed is an Olympic veteran. She devotes countless hours at Manatee Community College—Venice preparing for its version of the Olympic Games. As president of the Student Government Association, Reed, 34, created the Scholarship Olympics, in which students collect community donations to award scholarships to three area high school seniors. “It’s my belief that ideas are innate freedoms,” Reed says. “The Scholarship Olympics is an idea I share with the hope that it will provide unique service projects for colleges in Florida or elsewhere.”

Reed spent a year developing and another six months implementing the program, which receives support from the Board of Trustees as well as private contributors. “The benefits for the student leaders came from the random assignment of teams, community service, and friendly competition,” she says.

Her work paid off in the end, with the Scholarship Olympics raising a total of $1,665 in cash and gift certificates. Beverly Beall, owner of Beall’s Department Stores, believes in the program so much that she’s agreed to match the $1,410 cash amount dollar for dollar, Reed says. “For me, knowing that I initiated educational growth on campus simply by writing down ideas and following through with these ideas has been an enjoyable honor, especially because I’m studying to be a teacher,” she says.

Reed didn’t end her service involvement with the Scholarship Olympics. From beach cleanups to voter registration drives, she’s active in her community. In addition, she speaks at student orientations and graduations, attends FJCCSGA sessions, and attends numerous leadership seminars, including a luncheon with Sen. Ken Pruitt. At the Association for Promotion of Campus Activities leadership conference, she received certification in campus activities. “After returning from this conference, two professors on our campus requested that I present leadership skills in their classes,” Reed says. “It was a great opportunity for me to share with the students everything I learned.”

Reed is the recipient of MCC’s 2003 Image Award and SGA’s Single Parent Scholarship, which recognizes the achievements she’s making while successfully raising her three young children. “It’s because of my children that I practice excellence so I may show them the fortunes of honor,” Reed says.

The changes she’s implementing at MCC through its SGA are creating quite a buzz among students and faculty. “Ms. Reed is a highly visible Student Government leader,” says Peg Lowery, executive director for The Foundation for Manatee Community College. “She motivates others to get involved, and yet through all of her volunteer activities, she continues to excel academically.”

Reed maintains a 3.85 GPA and has earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the past six semesters. She’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, where she became vice president of communications and helped represent her college at the 2003 International convention in Anaheim, Calif.

Despite her many commitments, Reed still finds time to work with the Florida Future Educators of America, serving as the organization’s treasurer. She strives to recruit new members for the group and bring inspirational educational speakers to MCC to motivate her fellow future teachers.

Approximately half of Reed’s expenses are met through scholarships, student loans, and a Pell Grant, while the rest of her income comes from child support. –LD          

Contact Reed at z.wow@verizon.net.