Cedric Bacon

Making the Dream Come True

Cedric Bacon
Florida Community College, Class of 2007

Cedric Bacon has lived in Fernandina Beach all his life, with the exception of a few years in Germany due to his father’s military career. Ask Cedric to describe his childhood and he simply says, “Mostly quiet.” Fitting for this quiet young man in a quiet beachside town.

After graduating from Fernandina Beach High School, Cedric chose Florida Community College, specifically the Betty P. Cook Nassau Center, less than a half-hour’s drive in Yulee. He couldn’t be more pleased with his choice. “The relaxed environment gives students a chance to get to know their teachers better, who are very open to any questions that the students have. I like how stress-free everything is, which has allowed me to grow a little bit more as a student and as a person.”

Cedric came to FCCJ like many students. “I had no idea what I really wanted to do,” he admits. Since his best subject is English, he’s playing with the idea of going abroad to teach it. “Probably Japan or France. Maybe Germany,” he says. Maybe, but when asked about his passions — his “dream job” — it’s obvious Cedric has another professional direction in mind. “I’d love to be a writer,” he says.

It’s not just wishful thinking; he’s already an award-winning writer. Cedric is the recipient of this year’s Amelia Book Island Festival Writers Scholarship for his short story “Be Invoked.” He’ll be presented with a $1,000 scholarship at the festival’s Lunch-with-Authors event in October. Winning the award caught him by surprise. “It was one of those moments that made me go, ‘Whoa.’ This was a real treat to actually have a story read by pros.”

Most of Cedric’s time, in and out of the classroom, is spent at the Nassau Center. He’s taken all of his courses there, works as a student assistant at the center and is the new Student Government Association president for the Nassau Center. His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Center director Don Hughes thinks he’s doing a great job. “Cedric is a pleasure to work with,” Hughes says. “He’s a serious student with a great sense of humor.”

Cedric plans to graduate next year with his associate in arts degree (A.A.) and transfer to a university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English. He hasn’t decided exactly where he’ll apply, but he’s considering the University of Central Florida, Florida State and the University of Florida. As for post-college plans, Cedric’s equally undecided. But he doesn’t dismiss the possibility of a career as a writer. “To do that professionally would be a ‘dream come true’ for me.”

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