Hundreds of the best and brightest Osceola County scholars who make up the Class of 2023 were awarded over 450 scholarships from over 100 endowments – to the tune of $1.1 million in college grants – at Wednesday’s 37th annual Education Foundation Osceola County scholarship award ceremony.
Honorees received a commemorative medal for each scholarship they earned, and with many of the seniors awarded multiple scholarships, the sound of clinking metal reverberated around Osceola Heritage Park’s events center.
Following Wednesday, the Education Foundation has now awarded over $10 million to graduating seniors. President emeritus Ken Smith helped form the first endowment that raised the first $1 million when the program began in 1994. Smith, who passed away in October 2022, was honored, as was his wife Jennifer at the event.
“He was like a full-time volunteer for the foundation,” said Foundation founder Tommy Tompkins. “Ken gave 37 years to this foundation.”
Osceola County School District Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace, who has announced her retirement later this spring, was also honored by the foundation. She even had the honor of presenting the Dr. Debra Pace Honorary Scholarship.
Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske – who knows a thing or two about postsecondary education – gave a stirring keynote address.
“This is absolutely the best time of the year, when we get to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our graduates, surrounded by Osceola County’s best and brightest. The potential in this room of future leaders is enormous.” she said, while also sharing wisdom on what is about to become important in a new collegian’s life – and what isn’t.
“Do not get hung up on your major. If you are 110 percent sure what you want to be, that is fantastic, because I was just like you,” said the college president who started out as an astro-physics major. Your GPA is not the only thing that counts; the most disappointing thing about how hard I worked for a 4.0 was that, in my career, not once did anyone ask what my GPA was. I selected courses based on how likely I would earn an ‘A’, and I regret not taking classes that sounded interesting.
“It is okay to cry in college. I guarantee you will struggle, and you’re not crazy. For, when much is given, much is expected. To create a scholarship, someone took their own money and donated it to the fund, and not spend it elsewhere so that someone can go to college. You’ve been given an incredible gift, and it’s up to you to make sure their investment was a wise one.”
Later this year, the Education Foundation will hold its 30th annual benefit golf tournament, the Larry Godwin Memorial Scholarships for Kids Golf Classic, on Nov. 10, 2023 at Royal St. Cloud Golf Club. Much of the funds for scholarships are raised through this event.
