Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students

Carol McManus, the scholarship chair of the Palm Aire Women's Club, was the first in her family to attend and graduate college. As she meets the future generations of college students, she feels a sense of purpose to help them out in any way she can. 

"It's my mother's words that continue to say, 'Education is the key,'" McManus said. "'I see the drive and the commitment in these students that could, in some cases, not be there because they all have financial need requirements."

To help with that, the Palm Aire Women's Club awarded seven students scholarships on April 10. 

Four students from State College of Florida — Victoria Bigham, Chloe Jarvis, Sara Sweetnich and Cameron Kiernan — will receive $1,500 a year for two years as long as they maintain eligibility. 

Three students from Manatee Technical College — Bart Reek, Gracie Tillman and Elexis Richardson — will receive $500. 

Bigham, who has two sons in high school and college, returned to State College of Florida and is pursuing her degree in health services administration. She said she was excited and honored to receive the scholarship. The luncheon was especially special to her because she got married at Palm Aire Country Club in 2003. 

Reek works and studies in the welding department at Manatee Technical College. He works the front desk as well to meet the needs of the school.

"I've always liked working with my hands," Reek said. "If I'm not working, I'll go insane. It helps me focus."

He is one of nine children said he is thankful for the support.

Sweetnich and Jarvis are both studying elementary education at the State College of Florida. Sweetnich hopes to teach fifth grade while Jarvis hopes to teach kindergarten or first grade. 

Sweetnich said she is paying for college on her own and is excited that a couple of classes will be covered by the scholarship. She said it was great to meet the people giving the scholarship. It was especially meaningful to her because multiple women were also teachers and gave her some advice and insight. 

"Teachers are people that leave big impacts on your life and I can remember all the teachers that I really inspired me to become a teacher," Sweetnich said. "I want to be that person for the future generation of students coming up in the education system."

Jarvis babysits and works as a Sunday school teacher at Parrish United Methodist Church. When she accepted her scholarship at the luncheon, she was brought to tears. 

"I was filled with so much gratitude, really feeling God with me in that moment," Jarvis said. 

LaShawn'te Lee received a scholarship from the Palm Aire Women's Club in 2023. She has since graduated from State College of Florida with an early childhood education degree. She spoke at the luncheon and provided some advice for this year's recipients. 

"To all the recipients with us today, this is your journey," Lee said.
"Identify your dream, stay focused, be encouraged, define your vision, and most of all, be patient with yourself. All the things I accomplished took time. It takes time, commitment and perseverance."