By China Boynton
Shedly Casseus Parnther worked as a BRACE (Broward Advisors for Continuing Education) advisor in Broward schools for 13 years before she realized her true calling was helping students create the type of future they would like to pursue.
Parnther wanted to create a space for students to access scholarships and other programs that could aid in their future college education, so she created the website thescholarshipplug.com. Her website provides students with access to expert college planning and coaching to help students reach their financial aid goals.
In addition to the website Parnther, has written a book called “How to Apply for Scholarships in 5 Easy Steps.”
Most of the work is done at The Scholarship Plug training center located at 4300 N. University Drive, C-200 in Lauderhill. One of her success stories is current Florida State University student Kayla Laveille-Lindor who credits The Scholarship Plug for finding financial help with school.
“I found Shedly’s Instagram one day and I was interested because she used to post scholarships daily,” Lindor said. “I was a student at Blanche Ely, but lived in Lauderhill so I started attending The Scholarship Plug center shortly after.”
Lindor filled out over 50 scholarships and received $15,000 in scholarship money through The Scholarship Plug program.
“Now that I’m in (college), I’ve noticed that most of my classmates have to work or do something extra on the side to take care of themselves,” Lindor said. “I feel blessed because I don’t have to work, I can just focus on school.”
Parnther couldn’t do it alone, she had help from the City of Lauderhill. The city’s Education Advisory Board started a scholarship this year to give $1,000 to five local seniors in partnership with the Scholarship Plug. Businesses can also submit their scholarship information on the organization’s website.
“It’s a valuable program and Miss Shedly is helping students thrive in their academic pursuits and puts them on a path to more dynamic futures,” said Khya Cummings who serves as an aide to the Mayor of Lauderhill, Ken Thurston.
Parnther is looking to create a franchise of The Scholarship Plug so that students can continue education on a national scale.
“In the future, I would love to see if I could franchise this organization so that it’s in every city that has a high advisor-to-student ratio because that center should support the local schools,” Parnther said.
Right now, her main focus is perfecting the first Scholarship Plug center.
For more information visit www.thescholarshipplug.com or @thescholarshiplug on Instagram. For information on the City of Lauderhill scholarship go to www. lauderhill-fl.gov
