INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — You must “reach” to get to where you want to be. That is the advice guest speaker Erika Pagano gave the six recipients of the Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River County’s 2018 scholarships.
At the club’s 30th annual scholarship awards presentation held at Grand Harbor Clubhouse, the young women each received a $1,000 investment in their futures.
Awarded for excellence in academics, involvement in school activities, dedication to community service, and commitment to Democratic principles, the grants were given to Keyshawna Chambers, Emmalyse Brownstein, Hannah Horowitz, Deanna Kreinbring, Autumn Schutt, and Karine Dieuvil.
Pagano, a lecturer at the University of Miami’s School of Law, explained that reach is an acronym for responsibility, energy, authenticity, community, and humility.
This year’s awards included two named the fifth annual Albert and Josephine Gallo and the first Steve Erickson Music scholarships.
The recipient of the Gallo scholarship for study in science, technology, engineering or math was Keyshawna Chambers. The Vero Beach High senior has already obtained certification as a nursing assistant and has aspirations of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Her interest in medicine is also evident in volunteer activities, including helping at blood drives for One Blood.
Emmalyse Brownstein received the inaugural Steve Erickson Music Scholarship. Brownstein has a big goal: her name on a Broadway marquee. A singer, dancer and actor, the Vero Beach High student aims to earn a BFA in musical theater or performing arts.
DWC Merit Scholarships were awarded to Horowitz, Kreinbring, Schutt, and Dieuvil.
Future attorney Horowitz has been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Vacation Bible School teacher, Sunday School assistant, and clerical assistant at a law firm. The 2018 graduate of Vero Beach High also serves as student body president.
Kreinbring has been in the dual enrollment program at Indian River State College and will receive her associate’s degree in criminology a month before she graduates from Indian River Charter School. She intends to continue her education in that field and is considering a career in the FBI.
Schutt will be entering Florida State University’s competitive interior design program in the fall. A violinist with Vero Beach High’s orchestra for four years, she hopes to join FSU’s philharmonic as well. An avid cross country runner, Schutt was a 4A District winner in 2015.
On track to receive an AA degree in business administration from IRSC, Dieuvil will then be one step closer to her collegiate intentions: a BA in business and a BFA in acting. Her aspirations include creating a nonprofit to incorporate the two. This VBHS senior is no stranger to political activism, having worked on a Democratic campaign.
Speaker Pagano, a Vero Beach native, encouraged the scholars to always remember where they came from. “You can leave Vero Beach, but it will never leave you,” she said.
