Cooper Cleveland, Grant Domenech, Michele Sternberg, Tyler Ross and Dylan Redmon. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center was filled with proud families and friends during the 58th annual Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County Awards Ceremony.

Among the impressive 37-member Class of 2023 graduates, 21 will attend colleges and universities in nine states; three already attend college, and seven earned their AA degrees while in high school. This cohort will join 86 continuing scholars, who received awards in previous years.

“It’s my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 58th annual Scholarship Foundation Awards Ceremony,” said Jonathan Sternberg, board president. “This is an exciting time for all of us. Everyone here is a culmination of big and small decisions that they have made every day, every week, every month, and every year of their lives.

“These decisions, some small and some big, created who you are today and allowed you to be here on this stage where we are awarding all of you completion scholarships. That means, if you’re going to college for four years, we’re going to fund your scholarship for all four years.”

The students had also excelled in the arts, athletics and community service work, all while performing at high levels academically.

“Speaking for myself and all of the board members of the Scholarship Foundation, we are pleased to tell you that tonight we are awarding 84 scholarships to 37 students for a total of $725,400,” said Sternberg.

With that amount, the foundation will have awarded $14.8 million in scholarships to 3,102 students since its founding in 1965.

“We commend you for a job well done this far, but your journey and work are far from over,” said Sternberg, before introducing alumnus speaker Mitchell Senko, a 2018 Vero Beach High School graduate.

Senko graduated from the University of Florida in 2022 with a bachelor’s in business administration and took 2023 as a gap year to study for the LSAT in preparation for law school.

“The next four years of your life are going to be a whirlwind of excitement. Countless hours of studying and maybe even a few all-nighters at the library, but it truly is a special time in your life,” said Senko.

“You will grow as a person while you are away, and ultimately, it will lead to a path that is your destiny.”

Senko added that college is about much more than just obtaining a degree.

“It’s a time to learn about yourself. If I could put my recently graduated high school self in front of me right now, I’m not sure I would recognize him.”

Camilla Wainright, SFIRC executive director, said the Scholarship Foundation awards Legacy, Memorial, Honorary and Community Sponsored scholarships thanks to the generosity of individuals, families, foundations, community organizations and businesses.

Four students received the prestigious Richardson Scholar Awards, established by the late Dan and Marjorie Richardson, to “inspire, recognize and support college-bound students who attain the highest standards of academic leadership and service excellence.”

Victoria Dowdell graduated from Indian River Charter High School with an AA degree and will attend Florida State University; Arabella Hepler graduated from Sebastian River High School with an AA degree and will attend the University of Florida; Marie Mazzarella, from Vero Beach High School, will attend the University of South Florida; and Taylor Wolfe, from Saint Edward’s School, will attend Dartmouth University.

For more information, visit SFIndianRiver.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis