There’s nothing like a little friendly hometown competition to bring out the crowds. The stands at the Vero Beach High School Citrus Bowl at Billy Livings Field were filled Friday night – red on the home side and blue on the visiting side – as the Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians and the Sebastian River High School Sharks battled it out on the gridiron in the ninth annual Scholarship Foundation Football Classic.
The Scholarship Foundation of Indian River established the game in 2006 as a fundraising pre-season scrimmage for a then untested rivalry; in 2010, the games became sanctioned.
A sold-out crowd of roughly 200 Scholarship Foundation supporters as well as fans looking to get extra close to the action gathered in an end-zone tent to enjoy a finger-licking good pre-game dinner from Wilke’s 14 Bones Barbeque. The large tent was neutral ground, infused in a patriotic red, white and blue décor that matched the outfits of the diehard fans.
Gary Phillips was one of those clearly planning to root for the Vero Beach team. “Born and reared” in Vero Beach, he was wearing a commemorative shirt that marked him as a member of the undefeated and untied 1951 team; Phillips was its co-captain and quarterback. “We had eight seniors in the starting lineup; five of us in the National Honor Society,” said Phillips, who graduated from West Point before retiring from a stellar military career overseas.
Attorney Rene VanDeVoorde was one of those rooting for the Sebastian side, sporting a blue shirt in honor of the Sharks. “I was the voice of the Sharks for 20 years, 1994 to 2014,” he said. “We’re usually a minority, but it’s always a fun event.” His wife Karen was unable to attend this year, but has been a Scholarship Foundation board member for many years. “It’s a great organization,” added VanDeVoorde.
“We really enjoy it; it’s cool watching from the end zone,” said Sebastian supporter Margaret McGrail, standing with John Vidal, whose grandson plays in the Sebastian band.
They joined other daring guests who lined their chairs along the end zone, braving potential footballs and players to cheer on the teams and get into the spirit of the game.
The Scholarship Foundation will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2015. Joan Cook, who just started a two-year term as board president, said the foundation hopes to do something special to commemorate the occasion, but nothing has been finalized.
Cook initially became involved through Orchid Island Outreach, which provides scholarships through the foundation to the children of Orchid first responders, Orchid Island employees and other students in the community pursuing four-year degrees.
It is groups such as Orchid’s along with other caring individuals and businesses which have enabled the foundation to award more than $9.1 million in scholarships to 2,718 students over the past 49 years. This past spring 53 outstanding students were awarded 94 scholarships totaling $536,100; the largest amount to date.
When asked why she felt the organization has continued its successful growth, Cook replied, “People realize that college educations are getting so much more difficult, and the fact that we have so many kids needing help does resonate with donors. The donors enjoy seeing the instant gratification at the awards ceremony. The students are just so appreciative; it’s such a rewarding experience.”
As for the game, the night belonged to the Fighting Indians and their quarterback Carter Stanley, who connected with five touchdown passes, three of them to teammate MJ McGriff. The game ended with a score of 35-6.