Scholarships worth thousands of dollars were awarded to children of Palm Beach city employees at last month’s city council meeting.
During a July 12 presentation, Mayor Danielle Moore read out the names of 17 students who received scholarships from four city nonprofits. Some students received more than one scholarship.
The Palm Beach Country Club Foundation has awarded scholarships to 13 students, according to the city. The foundation did not release scholarship figures, but the 28 scholarships awarded last year were worth $2,000 each for a total of $56,000.
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Foundation of the Rotary Club of Palm Beach awarded six students with scholarships worth $2,000 each.
The prizes were awarded through the organization Flags for Heroes Scholarship Fundwhich provides tuition for college-bound students, existing undergraduates, and trade school students who are the children of general full-time city employees, including lifeguards.
Students were selected for scholarships through a process that considered academic achievement, community service, and personal achievement. The scholarships are funded through the annual Flags for Heroes charity event, which returns to Bradley Park in November.
Since 1998, The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than $420,000 in scholarships to local students with outstanding academic achievement, a history of community service, and from families in need.
The Palm Beach Civic Association and the Palm Beach Citizens Association presented their annual City of Palm Beach Scholarship to Reaghan Pierre, daughter of Dionne Lightbourn, the city’s accounting technician.
Pierre, who was dual enrolled at Palm Beach Gardens High School and Palm Beach State College, plans to major in biochemistry at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. She hopes to pursue a career in medical research.
A member of the Palm Beach Gardens High School Marching Band, she mentored junior members of the band and served in the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.
The City of Palm Beach Scholarship, awarded annually since 1999, is worth $3,500.
Winners are chosen based on academic achievement, community service, and educational and career goals.
The winners are:
Foundation of the Palm Beach Country Club: Michael Caristo, Christina Caristo, Joseph Barber, Christopher Barber, Bianca Badolati, Luke Stone, Clay Miller, Kalia Martin, Kevin Lebrun, Maxwell Guelli, Joseph Guelli, Scott Gordon and Samantha Tedesco.
Rotary Club of Palm Beach Foundation, Flags for Heroes Scholarships: Nicholas Pataca, Reaghan Pierre, Annabel Roach, Luke Stone, Christopher Wilson and Kalia Martin.
Palm Beach Civic Association / Palm Beach Citizens Association, City of Palm Beach Scholarship: Reagan Peter.
Jodie Wagner is a reporter for the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
