Outstanding Graduate Award Finalists - Spring 2021

Winner: Jean Bernard Ozit Jr.

Jean Bernard Ozit Jr. graduates with his Associate in Arts in liberal arts and sciences and maintained a high GPA while working 20+ hours weekly as a Walgreens pharmacy technician. He plans to attend the University of Central Florida for a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Ozit also plans to pursue a JD-MBA degree and aspires to run for political office and own a business that empowers others. He has served as a peer math and academic tutor for the Tutoring and Academic Success Center at SCF Bradenton and is a member of the STEM.Med and Earth Club. In 2020, he earned a competitive internship opportunity studying Red Tide at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay B2B program and served as a mentor with Replay Outreach, a youth outreach program. Ozit has been recognized as “Consultant of The Month” twice for African Dishout, a food delivery platform providing high-quality authentic African food while empowering local independent restaurants and stores through technology and as “Coach of The Year” for Manatee YMCA. Ozit believes that an investment in himself is an investment in the community as well. “My success isn’t just my success, it’s the success of the people around me as I’ve had many guiding hands to help me get to this point.”

Finalist: Stephen Kyle Brelsford

Stephen Kyle Brelsford graduates with his Associate in Science in computer information technology with a 3.75 GPA. He plans to participate in the rapid credentialing programs at SCF as well as pursue a bachelor’s degree. Brelsford’s journey at SCF initially began in 2001, but he paused his education to work in home improvement. During his successful job supervising operations, Brelsford dealt with serious health issues that left him unable to work. Even as he waited for a kidney transplant, Brelsford continued to brainstorm potential career options that would suit his condition. Through vocational rehab, he re-enrolled at SCF more than 15 years later in January 2019. Brelsford is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He encourages students to get involved, be curious, explore opportunities and not to be afraid to ask for help when needed. He says SCF has been a huge part of getting his life back on track and giving him a direction for his future. “Ever since the first time I stepped foot on the Bradenton campus in 1990, attending an English 101 course with my Mom as she worked toward her pre-RN, SCF has always felt like home. I cannot explain how proud I am to be a Manatee.”