Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor memory of Delvis Fernandez
Family, friends and MCC create fund to remember charismatic role model
Bradenton, FL: Delvis Fernandez came to the United States with his mother,
Nancy Cruz, and his two sisters when he was only seven years old – his
father had already passed away in Cuba. The family’s optimism and generous
spirit carried them through tough times.
As Delvis grew up, his extraordinary character, charisma and energy shined
– he drew people in, inspired them, and became a role model in his community.
And his trademark smile…. Well, some say it went “from here to California.”
By October 2008, Delvis had returned home from an eight-month tour in
Iraq with the Marine Reserves. He was attending Manatee Community College
with plans to graduate from the Sarasota Police Academy and ultimately
join the Sarasota police force, earning enough money to take care of his
mother. Having once been a football star at Sarasota’s Booker High School,
he was trying out for the Sarasota Millionaires football team.
But on October 24, 2008, Delvis’ promising life came to a sudden and tragic
end when he was murdered in broad daylight in a suspected carjacking attempt.
He was 21 years old.
Delvis’ death shocked his community, his church and MCC. “He had such
a strong positive, energetic presence in the classroom,” recalls Pat McCarthy,
one of Delvis’ instructors at MCC. “The students really looked up to him.
He had big plans for his role in the world, and I have no doubt he would
have achieved them.”
With the input of Nancy Cruz and Delvis’ pastor, MCC has set up a memorial
scholarship fund to honor Delvis’ life. “This is MCC’s way of honoring
a kid who exemplifies the kind of community college student that we want
to support,” explains McCarthy. “Maybe we will direct the funds to another
Cuban-American, maybe to someone who wants to join the police force, or
maybe someone else back from Iraq. But we will use it to honor another
great kid – Delvis’ life and what he stood for did not go unnoticed and
he will not be forgotten.”
To learn how you can contribute to the MCC scholarship fund in honor of
Delvis Fernandez, contact the Foundation for MCC at 941-752-5390 or go
to www.MCCFoundation.net.
