Miami Dolphins Foundation Announces Nat Moore Scholarship Fund and Recipients
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June 7, 2018
Miami Dolphins Foundation Announces Nat Moore Scholarship Fund and Recipients
The Miami Dolphins Foundation announced a new initiative within its education impact area, embracing a long-held South Floridian’s legacy by housing the Nat Moore Scholarship Fund.
The Nat Moore Scholarship Fund’s mission is to provide the youth of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties with the financial resources needed to pursue avenues of education and training for employment readiness. The Fund is expressly designed to bolster efforts to bridge a gap between receiving financial assistance and obtaining a degree or vocational diploma.
“South Florida has shaped and influenced so much of who I am as an individual, teammate, professional and leader. I have made it my mission in life to create opportunities for the youth raised here to develop into educated community citizens dedicated to making a difference,” Nat Moore said. “The Miami Dolphins’ exemplary commitment to the community was an example I followed as a player and now working closely with our employees and alumni. The Dolphins are the best entity, so well versed in giving back to education, for creating this fund in perpetuity.”
The Fund is a continuation of the Nat Moore Foundation, which started in 1998 to serve the youth of South Florida through education. The Miami Dolphins Foundation through the Nat Moore Scholarship Fund is committed to raising $10 million in 10 years to fund educational opportunities for South Florida youth. This commitment will foster the next generation of industry and community leaders by providing students who are achieving academically and who give back to their communities with the opportunity to attain their educational goals.
Five recipients were the first to be awarded the Nat Moore Scholarship Fund at the recent Fins Weekend. These graduating seniors were selected through an application process that showcased community service, leadership, financial need and academic standing.
2018 Nat Moore Scholarship Fund Recipients:
- Jaquan Starling
- High School: Palm Beach Gardens High School, Palm Beach County
- University: Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus
- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Deneisha Dickinson
- High School: Miami Carol City Senior High, Miami-Dade County
- University: Bethune-Cookman University
- Major: Psychology
- Minor: Pre-Law Studies
- Leilani Fleites-Fernandez
- High School: Miami Arts Studio, Miami-Dade County
- University: Florida State University
- Major: Pre-Clinical Professions
- Andrew Lazara
- High School: Miami Springs Senior High School, Miami-Dade County
- University: University of South Florida
- Major: Biomedical Sciences on a Pre-Pharmacy Track
- Elba Jimena Garcia
- High School: Young Women’s Preparatory Academy
- College: Miami-Dade Honors College, Wolfson Campus
- Major: Biology (with Pre-Medical Track)
One of the most celebrated players in Dolphins history, Moore was drafted in the third round of the 1974 draft (78th overall) out of the University of Florida. Moore spent his entire 13-year NFL career as one of the most productive offensive players in Dolphins’ history. Moore earned All-Pro recognition and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1977. He was named the team’s Most Outstanding Receiver for six straight years (1974-79). On December 5, 1999, the Dolphins organization honored Moore as the 12th honoree and second receiver to be inducted into the Dolphin Honor Roll. He also is one of 15 former Dolphins to be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
Establishing a positive reputation on and off the field led Moore to be named the Dolphins’ 1984 NFL “Man of the Year,” an honor bestowed on the player who gives outstanding service to his community, and earned him the 1985 Byron White Humanitarian Award for his service to his team, community and country. In recognition of Moore’s impact in South Florida, Dolphins Founder Joe Robbie in 1987 renamed the Dolphins’ community service award to The Nat Moore Community Service Award. This award is given each year to a Miami Dolphins player recognized for his involvement in the South Florida community.
In 1988, he founded the Nat Moore Foundation, which has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships and grants to youth and organizations in South Florida. The Miami Dolphins Foundation is proud to continue the legacy for a former Dolphin dedicated to giving back through education.
