The Education Foundation Osceola County started its fifth decade of helping county graduates get off to the right start in college by doling out another bevy of award money at its annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on April 22 at Osceola Heritage Park.
Private donors, non-profit organizations and local businesses sponsored some 574 scholarships that went to hundreds of members of the Class of 2026, totaling $860,000.
Now in its 41st year, the program has awarded one new mid-sized car away from $13 million in scholarships.
Those hundreds of awardees made connections with the awarding organizations, and were congratulated by members of the school district, sponsoring partner Orlando Health and Valencia College.
“This night is always a reminder of why this work matters,” said Kerry Avery, Executive Director of the Education Foundation. “These students have worked incredibly hard, and we are grateful to the donors and partners who make it possible to invest in their futures.”
Osceola County School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff lauded the awardees for going through the award process, outside of what’s needed just to be a high school senior.
“This scholarship ceremony is something very special because someone for some group has been able to connect with what they choose to honor through the scholarship,” he said. “This is a highly individualized process. You have to apply for the these scholarships, somebody has to find that match. Your story has connected with one of these scholarships.
“So you cross the stage and you shake hands tonight and receive that scholarship. It's not just about putting one of these over your neck. It's not about necessarily what ends up being in an envelope one day as a check. It's about the connection. And it's the belief that somebody has in you about what you have yet to fulfill. That is a very important lesson in life.”
Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College, made an annual appearance, and shared with the award winners some pieces of advice about going to college—but we’ll leave that in a, “You had to be there” file to be kept special for the Class of 2026 and their attending families.
“I know that there are future doctors, future teachers, future researchers, future engineers, future business owners, and above all, future leaders right here in this room,” she also told this sub-set of the Class of 2026. “I invite you to take a moment to rejoice and wrap up your senior year. “You’re bound to run into some tough times in college. But you will be strong enough to stick them out, and you will be stronger as a result. I challenge you to go to college thinking that you are going to be the one to change the world. Each and every one of you has the power to make our world a better place. You just have to believe that it's possible and go after it with all your heart. When things get tough, or when you feel like procrastinating, and when you find yourself scrolling through TikTok instead of working on a research paper, remember that someone made the opportunity to go to college.”
When Tommy Tompkins founded the Education Foundation in 1985, he said the goal was to provide first-year college tuition for all graduating seniors in Osceola County. That dedication rings true every year at the annual event, and numerous opportunities for students and families in the community.
