From the Chairman
August 2023
The Scholarship committee reviewed 49 General Scholarship packages to determine which 7 High School students would receive the Department of Florida’s 7 General Scholarships. The students need to be a direct descendent of a veteran, be in their senior year, and attend a Florida High School. Their parents must be Florida residents.
The four individuals that were awarded a $500 scholarship are:
- Riley Garrison – Deland High School
Kaitlyn Suanne Staddie – Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School
Walter Folse – East River High School
Olivia Lambert – Pace High School
Eric Colson Dyer from Joe E. Newsome High School was awarded a $1000 scholarship.
The winner of the $2,500 scholarship is Christina Cortes. She attended Fernandina Beach High School and was eligible for the scholarship by the Service of her Grandfather, George Depeder, who served in the US Army.
Christina is very active in her school and Community. She was a Girl’s State Delegate and tutor for the local Boys and Girls Club. She was the Model UN Vice President, United States Constitution Scholarship Foundation Student Ambassador, Sunshine State Scholar of Nassau County AP National Small and Rural Town Scholar. Christina held numerous leadership roles in her school’s sports teams.
In her local community, she was involved several local nonprofit organizations. She participated in building homes during weekends for Habitat for Humanity; Christina created and facilitated activities, games, and events for residents. Her help during the Urban Plunge Mission Trip provided assistance to the elderly, poor, and people in need of repairing their homes. She accomplished all of her tasks while working year-round at Wicked Bao Restaurant. It is an honor to present this award to Christina Cortes.
The winner of the $1,500 scholarship that is funded by the County Veterans Services Officer Association of Florida CVSOA is Helen King. Helen attended Leon High School and was eligible for the scholarship by the Service of her Grandfather, William King, who served in the US Navy.
Helen was selected to be a Messenger in the Florida State House of Representatives in 2022. She ran errands, assisted staff with office duties, and delivered messages to House members. Helen is a junior American Legion Auxiliary member and a Girls Scouts of the USA Ambassador Scout who has earned her Girl State Gold award. Helen was selected to exhibit her history research project in the main hall of the Smithsonian Institute Museum of American History. Helen received the Presidential Volunteer Service award for her 700.5 community service hours.
I want to thank my committee members, Al Ashline, James Henry, and Robert Farrell, for their assistance in reviewing the applications. Thank you for letting me serve as the Department’s General Scholarship Chair this year.
The Nursing School Scholarship of $2,750 is given to a nursing student who is a US Citizen or permanent resident entering their second year of study in an accredited Florida Nursing School.
This year’s award goes to Jenna Ferrin, a nursing student at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Jenna is maintaining a 4.0-grade point average, and according to one of her instructors Jenny Nickless “Jenna truly understands what it means to provide family-centered care and always shows compassion when interacting with hospital staff, families, and patients during her clinical rotations. Jenna attributes her communication skills and passion for working with patients to her experience and multiple volunteer opportunities she has had. She has shown additional commitment and growth through working with several nonprofit charity programs, including Oviedo Optimist Club, Oviedo Medical Center, Florida Fallen Memorial, Snowball Express, Wreaths Across America, Hope’s Back to School Bash, and Threads of Hope. She has also spent time packaging food and supplies to send to deployed troops.”
This concludes my report.
Shirley Douglas
Scholarships Chair
scholarships@legionmail.org