Teala Reguindin recently graduated from Pensacola State College’s nationally-acclaimed Nursing Program as an RN.
She’s a mother of two children, 14 and 8, but it’s not just her children she wants to see grow and succeed. It’s all children, including the ones Reguindin will care for as a labor and delivery nurse ─ once she passes her board exam.
Reguindin is one of 14 Pensacola State students awarded an African American Memorial Endowment Scholarship or a Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins “Live Your Dream” Endowed Scholarship at a special ceremony held March 3 in the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio at WSRE-TV.
“My children are very proud of me,’’ Reguindin said. “They have told me countless times, and it warms my heart. They have been a big influence on my life, and I hope they’re proud. They make me want to continue.”
Reguindin was one of eight Pensacola State students to receive a Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins “Live Your Dream” Scholarship. Six students were awarded an African American Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
To fund the scholarships, the College launched a “100 for 100” campaign with $10,000 goal. This year, the campaign raised $12,500, which the PSC Alumni Association matched for a $25,000 total.
The ceremony is presented by the PSC Black History/Multicultural Committee. Leary is the volunteer coordinator. Dr. Tonie Anderson-Steele is the committee’s chairwoman.
Wiggins was the president of the all-black Booker T. Washington Junior College when it merged with then-Pensacola Junior College in 1965. Wiggins then served as the PJC Director of Research until his retirement in 1969.
The Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins “Live Your Dream” Scholarship was established in 2005. With the $25,000 raised – the minimum for a scholarship to be endowed – the scholarship will become Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins” “Live Your Dream” Endowed Scholarship beginning in 2024.
“Thanks to our volunteers and donors, this scholarship will now continue in perpetuity,’’ Leary said. “Both scholarships will help PSC students long into the future.”
The African American Memorial Endowment Scholarship started more than 20 years ago to honor Dr. Ellen Lett, a beloved PJC English instructor. A scholarship was created in her name. Later the scholarship’s vision was expanded, and the name changed to pay tribute to deceased African American employees at the College.
The scholarship recipients received personalized glass trophy awards sponsored by Tilly Souriyaseng, owner of The Beauty Experts, and PSC alumnus Troy Watts, creator of the educational character “Dribbles The All-Knowing Cat.”
Recipients of the 2023 African American Memorial Endowment Scholarship are:
- Jacquasia Beard
- Taliesha McClain
- Aria Hilliard
- Taelen Stovall
- Aretha Matthews
- Chandra Walker
2023 Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins “Live Your Dream” Scholarship recipients are:
- Taneisha Dodson
- Elizabeth Moffett
- Onesimus Gordon
- Teala Reguindin
- Devina Hall
- Chrystia Robinson
- Penelope McCants
- Katisha Williams
The 100 for 100 Campaign volunteers are:
- Trace Brown
- Obi Kalu
- Tom Ford
- Dr. John Woods
- Khaliah Williams
- Dr. Rameca Vincent Leary
- Ingrid Davis
- Michelle Jones
To donate to the scholarship funds, go to https://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/.
2023 AAMES Wiggins Scholarship Recipients, from left front row, Dr. Tonie Anderson-Steele, Taliesha McClain, Devina Hall, Dr. Rameca Vincent Leary, Katisha Williams and Teala Reguindin. From left back row, Onesimus Gordon, Taelen Stovall, Penelope McCants, Aria Hilliard, Chandra Walker and Dr. Ed Meadows