Vivianna Rivera, a graduate of Fletcher High School, ranked in the top 20% of her class and achieved an outstanding 4.46 weighted GPA. Throughout her high school years, she demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to service, all while navigating one of the most challenging experiences a teenager could face.

Her extensive list of extracurricular achievements includes Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) – President & District Secretary, Best Buddies – Junior Vice President, Thrive Scholars, National Honor Society, English, Spanish, and Math Honor Societies. Beyond academics, Vivianna showed her heart for service through volunteer work with Forgotten Angels and Peach of Heart, embodying the values of compassion and community impact.

At just 14 years old, Vivianna's world changed when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. In her moving essay "A Light in the Dark," she shares how this experience taught her powerful life lessons that have shaped her outlook and purpose. A few highlights from her reflection include witnessing unshakeable strength, learning to shine in darkness, choosing positivity and purpose, family sacrifice and determination.

As Vivianna prepares to attend the University of Central Florida, she carries with her not only academic accolades and leadership experience but also the enduring strength and love of her mother. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, and her future promises a ripple effect of kindness and impact.

We are proud to support Vivianna on her journey and know that she will continue to uplift others, just as her mother’s light continues to shine through her.

Graduating from Mandarin High School with an impressive 3.9 GPA, Rhagen Edwards has demonstrated both academic excellence and unwavering resilience. She was dually enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville and participated in the Mandarin High School Medical Academy. Rhagen also served in various leadership roles including Co-Captain of the Dance Team, Leader in the Sports Medicine Program, Communications Officer for the Black Student Union, and Main Office Executive Intern.

Beyond the classroom, Rhagen accumulated over 218 hours of community service, dedicating much of her time to supporting Mandarin’s athletic department and shadowing the school’s athletic trainer. She was also a key member of the team that earned the 6A State Runner-Up title in athletics, demonstrating both discipline and commitment.

Her scholarship essay, "Resilience, Hope, and My Future," is a deeply moving reflection on the strength she's found during her mother's breast cancer diagnosis her senior year. Some key takeaways from her essay include personal resilience, academic determination, career ambitions rooted in experience, and giving back to her community.

Rhagen will continue her academic journey at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), carrying with her the strength, perseverance, and compassion instilled by her mother’s fight. We are proud to support Rhegan on her journey as her story is a shining example of how adversity can fuel purpose, and how even in life’s darkest moments, there is always a path toward light and impact.

Azaria Bell is a proud graduate of Jean Ribault High School, where she maintained an impressive 3.9 GPA and built a legacy as a scholar, leader, and community advocate. Her high school experience was rich with leadership roles—serving as Cheer Captain, Secretary of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Student Council, and active member of organizations such as Business Professionals of America, Future Leaders and Lawyers, and Pearls of America. Her professionalism and ambition were further cultivated through a two-year internship at VyStar Credit Union.

Beyond the classroom, Azaria’s heart for service radiated throughout Jacksonville. She made impactful contributions to initiatives like Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), Team Tonya, Feeding Northeast Florida, and Ribault Access and Wellness. As Community Service Chair for the Lady Trojans, she ensured her peers were engaged in meaningful outreach. Her commitment didn’t go unnoticed—she was selected as one of the Top 100 incoming freshmen at Clark Atlanta University from over 19,000 applicants, a testament to her exceptional character and drive.

Azaria’s journey is deeply rooted in personal experience. At just ten years old, she lost her beloved grandmother to stage 4 breast cancer—a loss that profoundly shaped her values and sense of purpose. In her essay, "Breast Cancer is More Than Just a Diagnosis," she reflects on how that grief evolved into fuel for justice. Her goal is to become a prosecutor and eventually open her own law firm focused on serving marginalized communities in both criminal and real estate law.

Education for Azaria is more than a means to a career—it’s a legacy project. It honors her grandmother’s strength and transforms pain into purpose. She exemplifies what it means to be a Jiles Jewel: resilient, driven, and unwavering in her pursuit of equity and empowerment. As she embarks on her next chapter at Clark Atlanta University, we stand proudly behind her, inspired by her promise and passion.

2024

A'laisha Hall was Miss Riverside High 2023-2024 and will be attending the Florida State University studying criminal justice. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Chorus, Sankofa Club, Mental Health Club, cheerleading team, Junior Class President, and teen attorney. Please join us in congratulating this amazing scholar!

2024

Julia Perkins graduated from Atlantic Coast High School and will be attending Auburn University to become a veterinarian. She is an accomplished scholar who is also a member of the Science National Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. She has also completed an internship at Riverside Veterinary Hospital. In all of her accolades she was able to maintain her 3.6 GPA while helping me mother while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Join us in congratulating her on a job well done!

2023

Our 2023 Jiles Jewels Scholarship winner is Christian Ellis. Christian is wrapping up his freshman year at New Mexico State Lobos. He plays safety with the Lobos football team and recently broke the school record for safety squat bench press! Hailing from Jacksonville, FL, Christian is a 2022 graduate from Ed White high school where he followed in his mother’s footsteps to be a Commander alumni. His mother Monique Ellis was an amazing singer and a stage 4 breast cancer warrior who spent many years spreading awareness and advocating. On May 7, 2023, Monique passed from her battle but won her race. She leaves behind three beautiful children, Christian, Audrey and Kennedy.

In her memory, Jiles Jewels is so honored to grant Christian with the $1,000 Hope Scholarship to further his pursuit at higher education. Congratulations Christian and continue making your mother and family proud.

2022

Quincey Burroughs is not only a track star but he is a star football player at William M. Raines High School. He is a member of the National Honor Society and also is enrolled at FCSJ. He will complete his first year of college at the same time he gets his High School Diploma.

Quincy was recently impacted by breast cancer when his mom was diagnosed. He will be leaving to play football at the university of Cincinnati. We are so proud to call him our 2022 Jiles Jewels Hope Scholarship recipient.

2021

Myah Monix graduated in June from Oakleaf High School and will be starting at FAU for the summer session majoring in art. Her mother, Caroline will be celebrating 4 years as a breast caner survivor in September.

2020

Aja Fisher was a stage 4 warrior and senior who was a student at Spellman College and FSCJ. She was studying to be a physician assistant in Oncology but received her wings. Please continue to pray for her family.

2019

Our first recipient of the Jiles Jewels Hope Scholarship. Jessica, a amazing young lady is in her 4th year at FAMU awho is a stage 4 Breast Cancer warrior! Cancer didn’t stop her when it touched her at 22 years of age. She will be graduating with her Bachelors.