The Kiwanis scholarship winners included Sage Romero, Yocelyn Perez, Jasmine Perez, Blake Schaal, Joshua Hyde, Michelle Ruiz, Jude Harre, Leiana Boyd, Reagan Dollar, Brooke Schaal, Anna Moreau, Adrielle Costa, Marlin Martin, Savannah Lynch, Ashleigh Ryan, Armando Perez, Corine Scrudato, Daren Brown, Skyla Stevens and Cameron Dollar.\u00a0PHOTO PROVIDED<\/p>\n
On June 17,\u00a0the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island proudly announced the awarding of $27,000 in scholarships to 27 deserving students during its annual scholarship recognition program, continuing a tradition that has been changing lives since 1979. <\/p>\n
Over the past 46 years, the club has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships\u00a0to Pine Island students pursuing higher education and vocational training.<\/p>\n
The scholarships are made possible through the support of the Pine Island community and the success of Kiwanis fundraising events throughout the year, including the Calusa 5K Walk\/Run, Fish Drop, Supermarket Sweeps and other community initiatives. The scholarship program reflects Kiwanis\u2019 long-standing commitment to investing in the future of local youth.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s keynote speaker was\u00a0Becca Shevlin Toole, professor in the School of Writing and Literature at Valencia College in Orlando and daughter of longtime Kiwanis member\u00a0Mike Shevlin, who has served the club and community for 46 years.<\/p>\n
Speaking directly to the scholarship recipients, Toole reminded students that the true value of the scholarship extends far beyond the financial award.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about the money. It\u2019s about what it represents. It\u2019s a community looking at young people and saying, \u2018We believe in you.’\u201d<\/p>\n
She shared a quote that has guided her throughout her career from acclaimed Nigerian author,\u00a0Chinua Achebe: \u201cI was given this voice and I intend to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Encouraging graduates to embrace their own opportunities and responsibilities, Toole added, \u201cUse your voice to solve problems. Use it to build something meaningful. Use it to help people. Use it to create opportunities. Use it to make your community stronger. Use it to serve others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the support she received growing up on Pine Island, Toole offered one final message to the graduates, \u201cA community believed in me, invested in me, and helped shape my voice and my hope is that you will do the same for those that come after you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scholarship recipients were selected based on academic achievement, community involvement, leadership, service and financial need. The Kiwanis Club remains committed to helping local students achieve their educational goals while encouraging a lifelong commitment to service and leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission has always been to invest in the future of Pine Island by supporting our youth,\u201d said Tonya Player, president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island. \u201cEach scholarship represents the generosity of our community and our confidence in the next generation of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island thanks its members, sponsors, volunteers and community supporters whose contributions make these scholarships possible year after year.<\/p>\n
This years recipients were Sage Romero, Yocelyn Perez, Jasmine Perez \u2013 Vergara Recipient of the Kruger Award, Blake Schaal Recipient of the Moose Award, Joshua Hyde, Michelle Ruiz, Jude Harre, Leiana Boyd, Reagan Dollar \u2013 Recipient of the Kruger Award, Brooke Schaal, Anna Moreau, Adrielle Costa, Marlin Martin, Savannah Lynch, Ashleigh Ryan \u2013 Recipient of the Bemore Award, Armando Perez \u2013 Recipient of the Woodmore Award, Corine Scrudato \u2013 Recipient of the Katherine Brown Award, Daren Brown \u2013 Recipient of the Mel Meo Award, Skyla Stevens \u2013 Recipient of the Moose Award, Cameron Dollar,\u00a0 Josslyn Ryder \u2013 Recipient of the Honc Award, Lily Moreau, Jaylin Cammilleri \u2013 Recipient of the Honc Award, Grayce Smith and Brianna Whitney \u2013 Recipient of the Mel Meo Award.<\/p>\n
About the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island<\/p>\n
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island is a volunteer service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families throughout the Greater Pine Island community. Through scholarships, youth programs, community events, and service projects, Kiwanis members work to create lasting positive change while living out the organization\u2019s mission of serving the children of the world, one child and one community at a time.<\/p>\n