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Education is at the heart of the Uncommon Friends Foundation mission. Scholarships help people of all ages, all socio-economic groups and with all varieties of career goals realize their full potential by finding the right dream and pursuing it. Each award has multiple effects because recipients have demonstrated a commitment to helping others and because, with education, recipients will contribute to the economy and society. Some awards recognize demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. Other awards are for people with extraordinary potential who have overcome great obstacles and, via education, will move into the mainstream of the economy and society. Most Uncommon Friends scholarships are intended to assist with costs prior to a time when the student might qualify for other financial aid. Over thirty social service agencies and schools were invited to nominate candidates. Panels of citizens then evaluated nominations and selected recipients.
The scholarship program began with a generous gift from Mrs.
Berne Davis in memory of her late husband, civic leader Sidney
Davis, and she has made subsequent annual major gifts. Other
donors greatly help the program every year. Every donor of a
small gift or a large gift is helping to improve individual
lives and, consequently, the community. Additional support is
needed and always appreciated.
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The Uncommon Friends Foundation Scholarships and the Florida
Prepaid College Foundation provide college tuition and local
fees to selected ninth grade students who contract to succeed in
high school, remain drug and crime free, and fulfill scholarship
conditions. Recipients were:
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Brian Contreras, nominated by Fort Myers HS - the
Covanta Energy of Lee County, Inc. Award in memory of the
late William (Bill) Burdsal Davis; Sanche Bell,
nominated by Ida S. Baker HS - the Covanta Energy of Lee
County, Inc. Award in memory of the late William (Bill)
Burdsal Davis, Jacara Ware, nominated by Fort Myers
HS - the Sidney R. Davis Award; Vanessa DeLaRosa,
nominated by the Bishop Verot HS Key Club -the Sidney R.
Davis Award; Billie-Jean Jones, nominated by Cape
Coral HS - the Uncommon Friends Foundation Award; and
Richard Saracione, nominated by the Salvation Army - the
Uncommon Friends Foundation Award.
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Uncommon Friends Foundation and The Boy Scouts
of America Eagle Scout Scholarships were presented to:
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Michael Graczyk, Troop 23 of Sarasota --
Scholarship provided by Thomas and Dorothy Orthman; Evan
Waldt, Troop 770 of Port Charlotte -- Scholarship
provided by Sandra Stilwell; Corey Peterson, Troop
110 of North Fort Myers -- Scholarship provided by The
Uncommon Friends Foundation; and Jordan Wise,
Troop 80 of Fort Myers -- Scholarship provided by Drs. James
& Yolanda Mitchell.
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Florida Gulf Coast University Scholarship for
Aspiring Teachers was awarded to Heidi Brennan.
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Edison College James Newton Scholarship was
presented to Zuly Fernandez.
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Edison College Ellie Newton Scholarship was
presented to Mary Streezel.
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Edison College Single Parent Program
Scholarships help single parents/displaced homemakers gain
skills to enter the workforce. These scholarships provide
assistance to those who have overcome significant obstacles.
Recipients were:
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Richeland Dorrelus, Nanette Perkins, and Kimberly
Allen.
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Special Recognition Scholarships provide further assistance to
help recipients reach their educational goals. Selection is
based on financial need, the potential to succeed, and the
demonstration of the personal traits of the Uncommon Friends.
Recipients were:
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Ashlee Barnett -- The Chico's Special Recognition
Scholarship; Terra Conley -- The Moorings Park
Special Recognition Scholarship; Miguel Vargas, The
Edison National Bank Special Recognition Scholarship; and
Victoria Walker, The Uncommon Friends Foundation Special
Recognition Scholarship.
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The High Tech Scholarships assist with tuition, books,
and supplies for one term at a High Tech Center. Recipients
were:
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Melissa Jones -- The Congress Jewelers High
Tech Scholarship; Michael Ford -- The News-Press
High Tech Scholarship; Yerian Gomez -- The Oswald
Trippe & Co./St. Paul Travelers High Tech Scholarship;
and Yoandry Gomez -- The Oswald Trippe & Co./St.
Paul Travelers High Tech Scholarship.
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| The Uncommon Friends Foundation is honored to recognize and encourage these individuals by helping them to receive their education. A sincere thank you to all donors who make this program possible every year. |
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Previous Years:
2005 Scholarship Awards
2004 Scholarship Awards
2003 Scholarship Awards
2002 Scholarship Awards
2001 Scholarship Awards |
