The Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County presented 105 scholarships totaling $738,500 to 53 grateful students during the 52nd annual Awards Ceremony last Wednesday evening at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. The scholarship class of 2017 will attend 20 colleges and universities in nine states. The class includes nine recipients who are already attending college and seven high school seniors who will receive their associate’s degrees this year.
Since 1965 the foundation has awarded more than $11.1 million in need-based college scholarship awards to 2,865 Indian River County students, executing its mission to offer hope, encouragement and scholarship opportunities to Indian River County students with financial need who demonstrate the desire and academic ability to succeed in pursuing a post-secondary education.
“There is a tremendous need in this community,” shared board member Gaye Ludwig. “There are a lot of kids that could not do this without us. It’s very rewarding to help these hardworking kids and it makes a difference in their lives.”
Board president Joan Cook said she watched her parents sacrifice so that she could get a good education and she appreciates its value. Noting that the scholarships are need-based with an academic component, she added, “We have kids from middle-class families who have several kids in college and some who have never had a family member go to college. In addition to awarding scholarships we counsel students and families, because a lot of them have never gone through the college application process. We help them devise a viable plan so they can make it through college.”
This year’s Alumnus Address was given by Lindsey Noland, a 2013 Vero Beach High School graduate and former Herget Foundation Scholarship recipient. Noland recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences and a minor in public health. While in college, Noland spent two years working in biomedical research at the Moffitt Cancer Center and studied abroad. She plans to pursue a Master of Science in molecular medicine and eventually attend physician assistant school.
As the first member of her family to graduate from a four-year university, she knew how fortunate she was to be able to realize her academic dreams and she made the most of the opportunity.
“This wonderful organization impacted my college career and will impact yours as well,” Noland said to the scholars. “Your journey from high school to college is going to be a huge transition period in your lives. Despite an increase in academic rigor that comes with the university experience, you’re also going to be adjusting to new places, new environments and a lack of familiar faces. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way on this journey and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. College is a clean slate.”
In her closing remarks, Camilla Wainright, Scholarship Foundation executive director, wished the students well and paid tribute to the donors, saying, “These scholarships are a culmination of the generosity of people in our community who are passionate about education and want to help future generations achieve their educational goals. Through your time, talent and treasure, you have been in support of education and ensured that students in our community will have the opportunity to realize their dreams.”