A longtime local nonprofit is continuing its mission of uplifting the next generation, and this year’s scholarship recipients are already making their mark.
Men Working to Better the Community (MWTBTC), an Ocala-based nonprofit serving the area since 1997, awarded scholarships to two graduating high school seniors as part of its ongoing efforts to invest in the future. The organization, a 501(c)(3) focused on supporting youth, assisting the elderly, and helping struggling families, has now given out more than $40,000 in scholarship aid to local students.
This year’s honorees are Meia Reaves, a graduate of West Port High School, and Gerald Lawton III, a graduate of Vanguard High School.
Reaves, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA, will attend Florida State University to pursue a nursing degree. At West Port, she served as student body vice president, captained the cheer team, and was a member of the National Honor Society—all while holding a job at Publix for the past two years. Lawton, who earned a 3.06 GPA at Vanguard, plans to study kinesiology at North Carolina Central University with the goal of opening his own physical therapy practice. A student-athlete in football and track, Lawton also participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and spent time volunteering through youth sports programs and food drives—all while working at FedEx.
MWTBTC welcomes tax-deductible donations to continue supporting students and community outreach efforts. For more information, contact Chris Hagins at P.O. Box 312, Ocala, FL 34478.
