News Article

HOPE Scholars Continue Gucci's Legacy

Jun 3, 2009

Members of the Edison State College HOPE Scholar’s Club will host a party on Friday for the third grade class they’ve adopted at Orange River Elementary School.  The party is in remembrance of their friend and leader, Guichard “Gucci” Jean-Louis.  Gucci, the former president of the Lee County HOPE Scholar’s Club and Edison State College student government president, was recently killed with his mother in an automobile accident. 

The party for Mrs. Cardenas’s third grade class will be held this Friday, June 5th, at 2pm at Orange River Elementary School.

“The Hope Scholars want to give the children a party and a chance to share memories of their friend Gucci,” said Fred Morgan, Director of the HOPE Scholar’s Club. “We want to keep Gucci and his values alive in their hearts, and remind them of the importance of   education.”

“Gucci was a truly exemplary person,” said Ann Bell, Principal of Orange River Elementary.  “He gave so many of our students hope, and really reached out to them on an individual basis.”

The HOPE Scholar’s relationship with the third graders started in 2008 when they delivered Christmas presents to the class.  Conversations with the students’ teacher led to the realization that many of the children needed more than Christmas cheer. They were hungry.

In response, Gucci and the HOPE Scholar’s Club spearheaded “Operation Backpack”. Every week, the Club members used their own money to  provide food for the children to take home for the weekend, ensuring the students’ families would have enough to eat.

“The club members would pull five, ten, whatever dollars they could out of their own pockets, we’d go shopping every Friday and fill an Edison State College bag with flour, juice, beans, rice, canned goods.” Morgan said. “The students would take turns delivering them to the kids to take home on the weekend.”

 The HOPE Scholar’s Club will continue to honor Gucci by supporting the values and people important to him. The club has vowed to “adopt” Gucci’s family, as his father is now a single parent raising four children. They presented a check for $1089.00 to the family on Tuesday. The Club plans to provide an additional $500 in August to help cover the cost of the children’s school clothes and books, and again in November and December with holiday food and gift donations.

The HOPE Scholar’s club is comprised of recipients of Edison State’s Project HOPE (Help One Person Excel). Since the program launched in 1993, more than 1,200 students have received two-year tuition and book scholarships. The program's social and educational support network allows participants the opportunity to experience success, complete their college educations and become productive citizens. HOPE scholars give back to the community through volunteer activities and mentoring.

If you are interested in making a donation to the Jean-Louis Family Memorial Fund please visit the link on the Edison State College website www.edison.edu.  If you have questions about the HOPE Scholars Club or Friday’s event at Orange River call Fred Morgan at 239-489-9338 or Meg Hawthorne at 239-489-9306.

Last Updated: June 3, 2009