Students at high schools across Sarasota County were awarded 82 scholarships for the 2024–25 school year through the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
In its first year, the Education Foundation awarded 44 of those scholarships through its new Future-Ready Scholars program. The initiative aligns with the foundation’s mission to help students prepare for life after high school.
Heather Ferrigno, scholarships manager at the Education Foundation, said she is inspired by students and the optimism they have for the future.
“This generation of young people is smart, driven and passionate about a variety of causes from curing diseases, solving problems through technology and engineering, and redesigning energy-efficient urban spaces, to protecting the environment, starting businesses that improve communities, and helping marginalized individuals get better medical care, education and legal protections,” Ferrigno said.
Jennifer Vigne, president and CEO of the Education Foundation, said scholarships often help students overcome barriers to pursuing postsecondary education.
“Scholarships can be the deciding factor in whether a student continues their education after high school,” Vigne said. “Beyond the financial support, scholarships show students that they are valued and that our community believes in their ability to succeed and achieve their dreams.”
Individual donors and philanthropic organizations that make the scholarships possible include the Arthur D. Vandroff Scholarship, DeLynn Foundation Future-Ready Scholarship, Jump Start Scholarship, Linda J. Jellison and Craig T. Wedge Scholarship, Michael J. Archer Memorial Fund Scholarship, Suncoast Credit Union Scholarship, Retsy Lauer Visual Arts Scholarship, Ivan F. and Ina C. Legore Scholarship, and Career and Technical School Scholarship.
To see a complete list of this year’s scholarship recipients, visit edfoundationsrq.org/scholarships.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EdFoundationSRQ.org) has supported students and teachers for 35 years. As a champion for life readiness, the Education Foundation provides personalized, comprehensive resources and relationships so that students can find their purpose and progress intentionally through their K-12 schooling. Its mission is to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching, and inspire innovation in education, guided by strategic philanthropy.
Submitted by Sarah Glendening
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Education Foundation of Sarasota County awards 82 scholarship for 2024-25 school year
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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