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Education is at the heart of the Uncommon Friends Foundation mission. Scholarships help people of all ages, all socioeconomic 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.
Boy Scouts of America and the Uncommon Friends Foundation share ideals. Eagle Scout scholarships help pay for books in the first semester of college. In addition to successfully completing rigorous requirements to reach Scouting's highest rank, each of these Eagle Scouts has completed a special project and shows great promise for continuing to exemplify the ideals shared by Scouting and UFF. |
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Brian Woodworth (Naples) led scouts and adults to renovate and expand a nature trail at his church, St. Peter's in Naples. He is also involved in his school math club and the Academic Team. Dot and Tom Orthman are partners with the Uncommon Friends Foundation in awarding this scholarship. |
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Christopher Boehle (Ellenton) constructed a wheelchair ramp and railing for three areas used by the Foundation of Dreams for Camp Dream Oaks. He has also been an officer and student adviser in Future Farmers of America and helps many community organizations. Sandra and Don Stilwell are partners with UFF in awarding this scholarship. |
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Christopher Potter (Bradenton) constructed a footpath covered with crushed shell and installed trail markers. He is active in school clubs while working toward an International Baccalaureate diploma. |
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| The Edison College FRESH START Program helps displaced homemakers gain skills for reentering the workforce. UFF scholarships help FRESH START graduates, all of whom have overcome extra obstacles. Nan and Robert Dean are partners with UFF in these awards. |
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Marilyn D. Arend (Fort Myers) is a single mother of a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. She is also a full-time student pursuing an Associate of Science degree to become a paralegal. |
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Caroline Jackson (Fort Myers) is a single mother who sees an Associate of Science in business administration as the avenue leading to financial independence for her sons, ages 14 and 17, and herself. A job at Publix helps pay the bills. |
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Ana Mahala (Fort Myers) is a single parent to children ages 15, 14 and 8. She is working toward an Associate of Science degree in counseling. She works at Publix and volunteers at her children's schools whenever she can. |
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| Florida Gulf Coast University Gulf Regional Educational Advantage for Teachers (GREAT) is an organization of the best future teachers. Cathy Corey (Fort Myers) will use the award to help buy books and supplies as she studies at FGCU to become a teacher. |
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| The Salvation Army nominated |
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Sheila M. Sharp (Fort Myers), who works as a nursing assistance while she studies nursing/radiology at Edison College. |
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Ginny Claybourne (Cape Coral), who wants to enroll in the administrative assistant program at a High Tech Center. She works as a supervisor in the Salvation Army's Crisis Management Program. |
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| Mount Hermon Christian Academy nominated Adrian Furlow (Fort Myers) for a scholarship to help pay his expenses at Edison College. Adrian is a member of the Scholars Club, participated in the American Mathematics Competition, the Lee Grows Program and community service with the Dew of Hermon Child Care Center. United Christian Giving is a partner with UFF in awarding this scholarship. |
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| High Tech Center nominated: |
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Randall Cain (lehigh), who wants to complete a basic program so he can take the state certification examination to become a corrections officer. |
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Laurence Sylvestre (Fort Myers) envisions a career in service and is enrolled to become a childhood education specialist. She volunteers at Lee Memorial Hospital. |
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Lyvie-Sara Sylvestre (Fort Myers) is enrolled in the Web design services program and has created the school's intranet site and has started work on its Internet site. |
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| Uncommon Friends Foundation and Florida Prepaid College Foundation cooperate to provide community college tuition and local fees scholarships to selected ninth-grade students who contract to succeed in high school, stay free of drugs and crime, and to fulfill the scholarship conditions. |
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Jesenia Vargas (Lehigh) is a class leader at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts. The scholarship, in memory of the late William Bursdal (Bill) Davis, is sponsored by Covanta Energy of Lee County, Inc. |
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Sheena Breen (Lehigh) is a student at Southwest Florida Christian Academy. United Christian Giving is a partner with UFF in awarding this scholarship. |
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Jared Basco (Cape Coral) is an honors student at Bishop Verot High School. This scholarship is in memory of the late Sidney R. Davis. |
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