MENTEE SPOTLIGHT:
Jeremiah Sets His Sights High

Beyond the quiet nature of Jeremiah Fudge, lies a young man who has big dreams and goals that he’s getting closer to accomplishing every day. Jeremiah has proven in his school, community, and family that whatever he puts his mind to, is as good as done.

Since joining MAN UP Mentoring (MAN UP) nine months ago, Jeremiah has proven himself as a servant leader, embodying the organization’s core values. He’s leading his peers by example and will reap the benefits of his dedication to his community, his future and, most of all, himself.

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In such a short time, his father, Jeffrey Pace has noticed significant improvement in his son’s social skills and confidence. “Jeremiah is finally coming out of his shell through MAN UP. We can see the program is helping him develop keen social, leadership and communication skills. Most importantly, Jeremiah gets to be a child, build brotherly relationships with his fellow peers, get exposed to new learning experiences, and while there connect with other positive role models.”

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This journey of overachieving is not new for Jeremiah. Ever since he’s been in the fifth grade, he’s been recognized for his schoolwork and leadership. In 2019, he was awarded the President’s Education Award for Academics along with being the President of the National Honor Society. In the eighth grade, he was recognized for being amongst the Top 10 GPAs of his class and he is the holder of several honor roll certificates. But outside of being a super student, he manages to make time for fun.

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For many teenagers, listening to music and playing video games are a way of life. Jeremiah isn’t any different except that the video games have inspired his chosen career choice. He’s chosen engineering as a potential major that will allow him to combine his love of the games and his favorite school subjects, chemistry, and science. Jeremiah has his eyes set on attending the University of Central Florida due to their game design program.

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Although he’s only a ninth-grade student at Jones High School, Jeremiah has already earned five well-deserved scholarship offers and they’ve encouraged him to seriously think about his future. He was recently awarded a four-year scholarship from 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando that will pay for his undergraduate degree.

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By participating in MAN UP Jeremiah realizes he also wants to give back when he’s an adult, and mentor young men to become better members of their communities. Through the program's rich learning experiences, fieldtrips, and projects, he now has a broader sense of what he is fully capable of accomplishing if he focuses on school, being a good person, making sound decisions, and cultivating a solid relationship with God.

Today, his support system has grown by leaps and bounds with his parents, teachers, friends, and the mentors of MAN UP championing him to stay focused, remain level-headed, and studious in a world full of influencers and distractions.

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About MAN UP Mentoring, Inc:

 

MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. (MAN UP) is community-based 501c (3) organization and an affiliate of My Brother’s Keeper Orlando primarily serving at-risk youth ages 11 through completion of high school or the equivalent across Metro Orlando, with a focus on delinquency prevention and intervention by providing social, educational and mentoring services. Established in 2014 by Orlando natives, brother and sister duo Christopher and Samantha Wallace. Currently, it is managed by an executive director, contractors, and a full-time staff of volunteers. MAN UP is overseen by a Board of Directors with more than 150 years of law enforcement and civilian experience, as well as advisors from the Orange County Public-school System and social services. Visit manupmentoring.com