The latest crop of eager recipients gathered with loved ones at the newly constructed Charter Hall at Indian River Charter High School for the 57th annual Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County Awards Ceremony.
The 40-member Class of 2022 includes three already attending college, and seven dual enrollment students graduating with diplomas and an AA degree from IRSC.
“This is an exciting night for all of you, students, family members, but also for the board.
We are really thrilled to be back in person after two years of doing this on Zoom,” said Susan Chenault, SFIRC board president.
“Those of you who are here tonight are some of the best and brightest, and you excelled in your academics, curricular activities and volunteer activities throughout the community. We thank you for your contributions,” said Chenault.
“These are all outstanding accomplishments and on behalf of the board of directors it’s a pleasure to tell you all that tonight we are awarding 77 scholarships to 40 students for an amount totaling $664,730.”
Including those awards, the Scholarship Foundation will have awarded $14.1 million in scholarships to 3,065 students since its founding in 1965.
“We are not government funded. These are donations from caring members of the community, and we thank you for your generosity over the years,” said Chenault.
Commenting that the students would encounter lots of new challenges, she added, “I’m sure it’s going to give you added appreciation for your parents and your grandparents and those who helped you over the years.”
This year’s alumnus address was via video from Grace Thomas, a 2011 graduate of Vero Beach High School, who graduated from the College of William & Mary and Duke Law School, and is now employed at a law firm in Washington, D.C.
“It’s an absolute honor to speak with you about the positive impact that the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County has had on my life,” said Thomas. After being accepted she said she had gone “from being over the moon, excited to leave Florida and start my college career at William & Mary to being straight-up terrified.”
Her fears began to subside during her own Scholarship Award Ceremony.
“I thought, this panel isn’t just wishing me well. They believe in me enough that they are willing to invest in me and my future. I felt proud that I had been chosen and comforted that they saw something in me worth supporting,” said Thomas. “I know that this Scholarship Foundation set me on the right track and helped me to get off to a strong start in my higher education. I am immensely thankful for their support.”
Camilla Wainright, SFIRC executive director, noted that the scholarships, which include Legacy, Memorial, Honorary and Community Sponsored awards, are made up of families, foundations, community organizations and businesses who believe in the education of students in our community.
Four students won this year’s prestigious Richardson Scholar Awards, established by the late Dan and Marjorie Richardson to “support college-bound students who attain the highest levels of academic, leadership and service excellence.”
Kayleen Diaz, from Vero Beach High School, will attend the University of Florida majoring in mechanical engineering. Alexandria Roth, from Indian River Charter High School, will graduate with an AA degree from IRSC and will attend the University of Florida majoring in public health.
Noelie MacMullan, from Saint Edward’s School, will attend the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in bioengineering. Alexa Soderman, also from Saint Edward’s School, will study biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
For more information, visit SFIndianRiver.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
