Community Corner

36 Students Make Their Mark, Reap Rewards

Are there students at your local schools named 2013 Ronald McDonald House Charities scholarship recipients? The financial aid is earmarked for high-achieving students who otherwise might not be able to afford the college "education of their dr

 

Earning 2013 scholarships from Ronald McDonald House Charities are 36 Tampa Bay area students, including three from high schools in Eastern Hillsborough County.

Alexander Fernandez, Lindsey English and Maria Rojo earned the scholarship distinction for their achievements at Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest high schools, respectively.

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Also recognized from Hillsborough County were Yen-Linh Ho, from Leto High, and three students from Plant High School in South Tampa: Jessica Erdain, Keysha Juste and Ei Thazin.

"We want these students to reach their full potential," notes an online scholarship announcement for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

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The program recognizes that while "students across the country work hard to earn top marks" and "dream of the college they'll attend and the education they'll receive," many of these students "can’t afford to get the education of their dreams."

Thus was born the scholarship program, offering rewards to "students in financial need who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and community involvement."

Since 1985, the program has awarded more than $48 million to high school seniors.

Rounding out the list of 2013 regional recipients:

  • From DeSoto High — Ladeja Dennis and Nycarion Williams
  • From Hardee County Senior High — Emilio Macedo-Hernandez and Amalia Rivera
  • From Lecanto High — Jessica Fee
  • From Central High — Rachael DePrimo and Jennifer Gordon
  • From Avon Park High — Taylor Ritchie
  • From Bayshore High — Wilson Palencia
  • From Manatee High — Stephanie Sarmiento
  • From Gulf High — Mehgan Griswold and Jaquelynn Shelton
  • From Zephyrhills High — Christina Hilliary
  • From Clearwater High — Antonio Alvarez
  • From Palm Harbor University High — Stephanie Fields
  • From Largo High — Chelsea Henderson and Erkanda Bilali
  • From Boca Ciega High — Thalia Madera
  • From Tarpon Springs High — Joshua Tuzzolino
  • From The Chain of Lakes Collegiate High — Chan-Erica Feacher
  • From Harrison School of the Arts — Denee Green
  • From Tenoroc High — Skylar Lineberger
  • From Lake Region High — Julio Olmo Jr. and Jacqueline Chavez
  • From North Port High — Sarah Cusick and Andrew Tryon
  • From Phoenix Academy — Ajia Lee
  • From J.W. Mitchell High — Loila Carlos
  • From Gibbs High — Abraham Daniels


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