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Kiwanis Club gives back to local students

34 scholarships were handed out at the annual scholarship breakfast.


  • By Katie Johns
  • | 2:00 p.m. August 4, 2016
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key held its annual scholarship breakfast on Aug. 4 at the Harbourside Ballroom. 100 guests attended the event that gave out 34 scholarships.

Through various fundraising events such as the club’s annual gourmet lawn party, pancake breakfast and joint dinner and movie event with the Garden Club, the organization was able to hand out $62,000 in scholarships.

Scholarship committee chair Susan Phillips said the club received over 100 applications for the scholarships. The scholarships are awarded on four criteria: volunteerism, community involvement, scholastic achievement and a demonstration for financial need.

Throughout the breakfast, Phillips made it clear that this event was not for the club, it was for the scholarship recipients.

“This isn’t something we gave them,” she told the crowd. “They earned this.”

2016 Scholarship Recipients

Academic Scholarships- $2,000

  • Charles C. Anthofer - University of Florida
  • Sierra R. Blashock - University of Florida
  • Ava R. Doraisamy - University of Florida
  • Katelyn A. Downer - University of Florida
  • Sarah J. Falls - Florida State University
  • Kelly C. Halliwell - University of Florida
  • Jacob W. Johnston - Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Nicholas S. Karpathy - University of Miami
  • Karim R. Khaiboullin - University of Florida
  • Shea N. Lautermilch - Florida Southern College
  • Savannah E. McGee - University of Central Florida
  • Emma J. Palmer - University of Florida
  • Parth R. Patel - University of Florida
  • Marjolein D. Pawlus - Northeastern University
  • Dustin S. Peebles - Southeastern University
  • Emma J. Peery - University of Florida
  • Erika A. Rappleyea - University of Central Florida
  • Jessica H. Schwab - University of Central Florida
  • Emily K. Waikem - Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Christian J. Zanders - University of Central Florida

 

Technical Scholarships - $1,500

  • Liliana Acosta - State College of Florida
  • Shanile M. Cook - SunCoast Technical College
  • Charlotte M. Couch - Santa Fe College
  • Davion D. Davis - St. Petersburg College
  • Zachary M. Donelan - State College of Florida
  • *Aimee M. Grap - Manatee Technical College
  • *Katrina M. Grey - State College of Florida
  • Briauna A. Jones - Tallahassee Community College
  • Gianna G. Pecora - Sante Fe College
  • Alejandra Rodriguez - State College of Florida
  • Angela M. Roepke - Manatee Technical College
  • Nicole R. Silvertooth - State College of Florida
  • Shelby L. Silvertooth - State College of Florida
  • Bethany S. Yoder - Manatee Technical College

*$2,000 Frost Foundation Scholarship recipient

 

As each recipient accepted his or her scholarship, they shared their thanks and plans with the crowd. For some, the scholarships are about attending college, and for others, it’s about teaching future generations. When recipient Katrina Grey, a student at State College of Florida,  took to the stage she shared how this scholarship is helping her teach her two children the importance of education.

“I want to instill in them how great an education can be,” she said.

In other cases, the scholarships are helping fulfill dreams. Emily Waikem, a student at Florida Gulf Coast University, received an academic scholarship both this year and last.  She said without them, she wouldn’t be able to attend college and follow her dream of becoming a dentist.

“It means being able to continue my education,” she said.

Daivion “Dee” Davis, who will attend St. Petersburg College, is using this scholarship as a second chance. He recently decided to go back to school and applied for the Kiwanis Scholarship after mentor and SailFuture Founder Michael Long told him about the opportunity. Now, Davis said he feels more pressure to do well in school because friends, such as his SailFuture mentors, are supporting him.

“It means a lot because it’s the next steps of my life,” he said.

Recipient Katelyn Downer plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall. For her, the scholarship meant more than just receiving money to put toward her education.

“It’s a scholarship coming locally,” she said. “It’s even our own cities supporting us and they believe in our dreams.”

Phillips said being able to hand out these scholarships is one of the most rewarding feelings one can have.

“They rose to the top with their own accomplishment,” she said.


 

 

Andrew Vac, Scholarship Committee Chair Susan Phillips and her husband Steve Branham
Andrew Vac, Scholarship Committee Chair Susan Phillips and her husband Steve Branham
Dominic Mazzarella, Kiwanis Club Secretary John Wild and President Joe Walsh
Dominic Mazzarella, Kiwanis Club Secretary John Wild and President Joe Walsh
Weldon Frost, scholarship recipient Savannah McGee and Brenda Frost.
Weldon Frost, scholarship recipient Savannah McGee and Brenda Frost.
Maria Garcia and scholarship recipient Alejandra Rodriguez
Maria Garcia and scholarship recipient Alejandra Rodriguez
Scholarship recipients Shelby Silvertooth and Jessica Schwab and Joanne Schwab
Scholarship recipients Shelby Silvertooth and Jessica Schwab and Joanne Schwab
Ann Downer and scholarship recipients Katelyn Downer, Liliana Acosta and Maria Acosta
Ann Downer and scholarship recipients Katelyn Downer, Liliana Acosta and Maria Acosta
Guests enjoyed breakfast before the scholarship presentation.
Guests enjoyed breakfast before the scholarship presentation.
Charlie Anthofer accepts his academic scholarship.
Charlie Anthofer accepts his academic scholarship.
Sierra Blashock walks the stage to accept her academic scholarship from Foundation President Armando Linde.
Sierra Blashock walks the stage to accept her academic scholarship from Foundation President Armando Linde.
Guests enjoyed breakfast before the scholarship presentation.
Guests enjoyed breakfast before the scholarship presentation.
Katelyn Downer and Maria Acosta
Katelyn Downer and Maria Acosta
The Kiwanis Club gave out 34 scholarships this year. 20 were academic scholarships and 14 were technical scholarships.
The Kiwanis Club gave out 34 scholarships this year. 20 were academic scholarships and 14 were technical scholarships.
Approximately 100 people attended the annual scholarship breakfast.
Approximately 100 people attended the annual scholarship breakfast.
Katelyn Downer accepts her academic scholarship.
Katelyn Downer accepts her academic scholarship.
Sarah Falls takes the stage to accept her academic scholarship.
Sarah Falls takes the stage to accept her academic scholarship.
Katrina Grey accepts her scholarship and shares what it means to her.
Katrina Grey accepts her scholarship and shares what it means to her.
Briauna Jones thanks the Kiwanis Club for its support after accepting her scholarship.
Briauna Jones thanks the Kiwanis Club for its support after accepting her scholarship.
Weldon Frost speaks to the crowd following the announcement of the recipients of the Frost Foundation scholarships.
Weldon Frost speaks to the crowd following the announcement of the recipients of the Frost Foundation scholarships.
The 34 scholarship recipients. Overall, $62,000 in scholarships were awarded.
The 34 scholarship recipients. Overall, $62,000 in scholarships were awarded.
Emily Waikem with her mom Maggie Harvey.
Emily Waikem with her mom Maggie Harvey.
Nicole Rickhause and Renee Dinan
Nicole Rickhause and Renee Dinan
Michael Long and scholarship recipient Daivion “Dee” Davis
Michael Long and scholarship recipient Daivion “Dee” Davis
Brenda and Weldon Frost and Lyn and Jim Larson
Brenda and Weldon Frost and Lyn and Jim Larson

 

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