May 25, 2021
Alicia Smith, a dual enrolled student at Clearwater High School and St. Petersburg College, received a $10,000 Operation Graduate scholarship. Alicia received her associate degree from SPC earlier this month and will graduate from Clearwater High on June 4.
Operation Graduate is housed in Clearwater’s North Greenwood Resource Center and is a partnership between United Way Suncoast, Pinellas County Schools, the Clearwater Police Department and St. Petersburg College (SPC). The program provides middle and high school students with educational opportunities that focus on life and financial skills, career exploration field trips, job placement and training. High school juniors accepted in the program can also apply for dual enrollment classes at SPC.
Alicia has participated in Operation Graduate since sixth grade. She will attend the University of South Florida in the fall and plans to major in biology.
“I always had a place to go to do my homework, talk to someone about the daily things of life and especially about things that happened at school,” Alicia said.
At Clearwater High, Alicia played flag football and was in JROTC.
“I tried to be in groups and be involved in school while maintaining my grades,” Alicia said. “But academics come first, even over friends.”
Learn more about Operation Graduate’s Dual Enrollment program with SPC and find the application. The deadline for rising juniors to apply is May 28, 2021.
