Rick Ross surprises students at his former high school with scholarships totaling $10K

Rapper and business mogul Rick Ross awarded scholarships totaling $10,000 to more than eight graduating high school seniors from his alma mater, Miami Carol City Senior High School, as well as Miami Norland High School.

According to CBS News, the Port of Miami rapper attended the graduation ceremony that was held at the auditorium of Miami Norland Senior High. The mayor of Miami Gardens, as well as school board members, gave motivational speeches to the students before the rapper, born William Leonard Roberts II, awarded the scholarships to the recipients. 

“You know, to come give back to the community right here, that means a lot. You know what I mean,” Rick Ross said.  The scholarships will cover the students’ tuition fees. “I am nothing but blessed. It’s good to see the alumni come back and give back to the students, which is something that is so amazing,” scholarship recipient De’Zyre Frederick said.

Each recipient was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, PEOPLE reported. The Hustlin’ rapper, together with the co-founder of the Rolling Loud festival, Tariq Cherif, as well as City of Miami Gardens Councilman, Reggie Leon, and school board member, Dr. Steve Gallon II, worked together to financially support the recipients.

In addition to the scholarships, the students were also given tickets to the 2023 Rolling Loud Miami. But that wasn’t all as Billboard reported that the 47-year-old rapper also mounted the stage to perform for the graduating class. A student who graduated with a 4.6 GPA was among other students Rick Ross also personally gifted money. 

“[Ross] being alumni and then coming back and giving back is something that I feel like everyone should do once they go off and do something successful,” a student told ABC10. 

Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris also told CBS News that the rapper attending the ceremony and handing out “these wonderful gifts” was “a great experience for our children.” “But it’s more of a great experience for this entire community because it shows that this community cares about its very own,” Harris added.