Beta Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Gainesville awards 2 $1,500 scholarships

Two high school seniors headed to college received scholarships from the Beta Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. on Tuesday.

The recipients of the $1,500 scholarships were Ian Rentz of Buchholz High School and Caleb Smith of Gainesville High School.

"It's an honor to receive this scholarship," Rentz said, speaking in front of a small crowd of family and members of the fraternity at Beta Pi's office at 739 NW Fifth Ave. in Sam Wesley's business complex. "Colleges are getting expensive and this scholarship will help me to pursue my degree debt-free."

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Rentz will attend Florida A&M University in Tallahassee and major in business administration and music.

He said his goal is to become a chief financial officer for a company or launch his own music label.

He plays the trombone and he said he will try to become a member of FAMU’s world renowned "Marching 100" band.

“I love creating emotions without speaking,” Rentz said. “Music makes people happy.”

Rentz urged rising high school seniors to put in the work to get to the next level in their lives.

“Work hard and continue to be motivated and strive for success,” he said.

He said his father, Ishmael Rentz, inspired him to pursue a degree in business administration.

His father and grandfather are owners of a construction company.

“I’m proud of him,” Ishamel Rentz said. “He’s done a lot of hard work and I like to see him rewarded for his efforts in class.”

He said seeing his son striving for success and carrying the legacy of having the entrepreneurial spirit of the Rentz family is exciting and indescribable emotion.

“I want him to remember what he is in school for,” he said. “Go to class, study and have great time management skills. You can create lifelong friends and enjoy yourself, but make sure the main thing stays the main thing.”

Smith will attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and major in business, with plans of getting a master’s degree in sports management.

“I’ve always had a love for sports,” Smith said. “I plan on managing a professional sports team one day.”

Smith said his favorite sport is basketball and loves seeing people dedicate their time to improve themselves.

“I love anything that requires dedication and hard work,” he said. “I grew up watching sports and it’s all about working hard.”

He said he is looking forward to his next phase in life where he will be independent and take on more responsibilities.

“This freedom will force me to be more independent,” Smith said. “I am looking forward to taking on this challenge, experiencing it as a whole and see to it to uphold what’s presented to me.”

Smith said he wants other students to work hard and stay focused on their goals and avoid distractions.

“Do what’s right and don’t follow the crowd,” Smith said. “Wake up and make your family proud. Don’t focus on other people.”

He thanked his grandmother, Barbara Smith, for motivating him to take education seriously.

“I stayed with him after elementary school and it was an after-school for him,” she said. “I would teach him on the back porch and we called it ‘Grandma School.’ I’m an advocate for education. Let’s help children as much as we can.”

Barbara Smith taught critical thinking and college readiness at Santa Fe College for 31 years, she said.

“It is wonderful for this organization to help young men continue their education,” she said. “Today, getting an education is expensive and every little bit helps.”

She said college should be taken seriously.

“College is not for you to go party,” she said. “It’s important to have a social life, but your education should take priority. Stay on track, schedule your time and don’t wait til the last minute to do something — do it ahead of time.”

She said her mother was an educator as well and it is important for young people to have role models to look up to.

“It’s nice for them to see other Black men in our communities,” she said. “Our boys are going to be the next leaders. They will be leading our communities, our families and striving to make us proud.”

David Canton, Ph.D., is chairman of the scholarship committee of Beta Pi.

Canton said he was pleased to see how active the scholarship recipients are in their communities and their determination to achieve academic success.

“It’s about paying it forward to the next generation,” Canton said. “Education is the key to success in this country.”

He encouraged incoming college freshmen to not take college for granted.

“Make sure to take advantage of the opportunities and take action to get internships,” Canton said. “Develop relationships with your professors during office hours.”

Canton said Beta Pi has provided scholarships to the area since 2003.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Scholarships awarded in Gainesville by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.