16 High School Seniors Receive $80K In Scholarships

CORAL GABLES, FL — Sixteen deserving high school seniors will share nearly $80,000 in college scholarships. The scholarships were handed out at the Coral Gables Community Foundation's annual Scholarship Reception on Thursday. The event took place at the Coral Gables Museum.

“We are so proud to award these 16 students with college scholarships. They have excelled academically and shown outstanding service to their community,” explained Executive Director Mary Snow of the foundation. “The generosity of our fund holders, donors and supporters throughout the year make this possible.”

This year, the foundation presented the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Four-Year, $10,000 Scholarship, the Coral Gables Community Foundation Merit Scholarship, the Ralph V. Moore Scholarship for Cavalier Excellence, the Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship, the Kerdyk Family Music Scholarship and the Culinary Arts Fund Scholarship.

The students were presented their awards by MDCP-S School Board Member Mari Tere Rojas, Coral Gables City Commissioners Vince Lago and Mike Mena, Former Coral Gables Mayor Dorothy Thomson, Foundation Chairman Jack Lowell, Foundation’s Four-Year Scholarship Chair, Matthew Meehan and Foundation Executive Director Mary Snow.

The 16 recipients of college scholarships from the Foundation are:

Foundation Four-Year Scholarships ($10,000 each): Alyssa Lamadriz (FSU), Stefany Ortiz (FIU), Stephanie Revuelta, Serena Correia, Geisel Dieguez (Drew University); Foundation Merit Scholarship ($3,000 each): Naomy Gamarra (UF), Roxy Rico (FSU), Grace Sedaghatpisheh (NYU), Emma Berberian (UF), Julio Sanchez (FIU); Ralph Moore Scholarship ($1,000): Brianna De La Osa (UM); Lady Tweed Scholarship($1,000): Juliana Balladares (UF); Daugherty Nursing Scholarship ($1,000): Deborah Zagales; Culinary Arts Scholarship ($4,000 each): Norlan Rivas (Culinary Institute at Miami-Dade College) and Joe Matos (Culinary Institute of Miami Dade College) and Kerdyk Music Scholarship ($2,000): Alex Lopez (UM).

The James Captain Memorial Scholarship was also announced at the reception. The scholarship was established to honor James Captain and his love for assisting disadvantaged students and sports. The scholarship will support summer camp for children in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

“Our board of directors, Merrick Society members, fund holders and supporters are such an important part of our giving,” added Jack Lowell, who chairs the Coral Gables Community Foundation Board of Directors. “Their generosity allows us to give back in these impactful ways, which adds to the footprint of the foundation and enhances the quality of life in Coral Gables.”

For more information on the Coral Gables Community Foundation visit gablesfoundation.org.

Photo courtesy Coral Gables Community Foundation