Lisa D’Cato
Poinciana Writer 

Last month, the Poinciana Area Council (PAC) awarded two $1,000 scholarships to local exemplary students.

The Poinciana Area Council is comprised of local businesses and organizations which operate under the umbrella of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce. Since 2007, PAC has sponsored a scholarship program. PAC strongly believes “what’s raised in Poinciana stays in Poinciana.”

The scholarship fund benefits two high school senior students who live in Poinciana. These students may attend any Osceola or Polk County schools, but must reside in ZIP codes 34758 or 34759.

In addition to GPA requirements, students who applied had to write a 500-word essay. Of all the applicants, two students stood above all others.

Mairim Perez graduated this spring from Liberty High School. Perez’s grade point average was 3.9. Since ninth grade, Perez was involved with Liberty’s Theater Club, which earned a “Superior” rating for district and state level theater competition performance. Perez is a Liberty ambassador and a member of the National Honor Society.

This stellar student moved to Florida from Puerto Rico when she was 11 years old. Perez plans on attending the University of Central Florida, where she will learn all there is to know about radio and television- broadcast journalism.

“Nothing makes me happier than looking forward to growing in a field I am passionate about,” said Perez in her prize-winning essay.

The second winner of the Poinciana Area Council scholarship was Marc Pierre. Pierre graduated from Haines City High School with a 3.0 G.P.A. He also managed to earn 141 community service hours at Palmetto Elementary School. Pierre earned these hours through reading to the students, shelving books at the library and preparing snacks for the school’s movie night.

Pierre is an example of the powerful impact a parent has on their child. In his essay, Pierre wrote, “My father received a higher education and told me that knowledge is an indispensable gift.” Marc Pierre aspires for a career in the field of criminal justice. He plans on attending Miami-Dade College and one day becoming a police officer.

Congratulations to these hard-working students.

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If you have any Poinciana news or information that you would like to share, call Lisa D’Cato at 407-846-7122 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it