Hookers present scholarships
Last Monday night at its monthly meeting at Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House, the Matlacha Hookers presented nine Pine Island students with scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each.
“It was a fun day reading all of the submissions but it was extremely difficult to select the winners,” Hookers director Katie Hillier said. “We really felt we were reading essays from the best of the best. These kids are just awesome and we wish we had more money to give scholarships to everyone. I want to congratulate the nine scholarship winners.”
Seven of the nine scholarship winners were present: Monica Ditch, Monique Classen, Evan Berlanti, Michael Schulte, Jerilynn Rossman, Rebecca Cicoria and Brooke Benjamin. Absent were Asa Rees and Ryan Robertson.
One scholarship was named in honor of Sarah Sciple, a long-time Matlacha Hooker. “As many of you know, Sarah has been ill and is not doing very well the last few days,” Matlacha Hooker Dee Hanks said. She then read a thank you note from Sciple.
Monique Classen received the Logan Rabinette Memorial scholarship.
A junior at Palm Beach Atlantic University, she is studying psychology as my major and communications as a minor.
“This fall I will be a resident assistant in one of the freshman halls,” she said. “I thank you so much and really appreciate this.”
“Last year we had special money turn up when some of the girls worked the Barge Party,” Hillier said. “There were four Matlacha Hookers there and they came up with another scholarship. The money was set aside for an applicant with an environmental career in mind and that turned out to be Monica Ditch.”
Ditch received the Barge Party Environmental Funds scholarship.
“My major is marine sciences at the University of Florida as a sophomore,” she said. “Some day I hope to work in fish management to help places like Pine Island. I thank you so much for supporting my educational endeavors. I couldn’t do it without your support.”
Evan Berlanti received the Sarah Sciple scholarship.
“I am so honored to receive the scholarship in Mrs. Sciple’s name,” he said. “I will be a senior this year at Palm Beach Atlantic. My major is history with a minor in philosophy. Trying to figure what’s coming next, maybe law school. Recently I was elected student body president. I know I wouldn’t have any of these opportunities without your support and I thank you very much.”
Brooke Benjamin received a Hooked on Education scholarship.
He will be attending the University of North Florida in its honors program. “I will be a freshman majoring in business,” he said. “I hope one day to open my own business. I want to thank you for this scholarship.
Rebecca Cicoria received a Hooked on Education scholarship.
“Standing here for the second time I am so honored,” she said. “I will be attending as a sophomore the University of South Florida and transferring to Southeastern University. Thank you so much for your support.
Gerilynn Rossman received a Hooked on Education scholarship.
“I just finished my first year of college at the University of Florida. I am studying biomedical engineering and I hope to get my masters and then my Ph.D. in that field. I’d like to work in research and development in the field of prosthetics. Thank you so much for your support. I couldn’t do it without you.”
Michael Schulte received a Hooked on Education scholarship.
“I will be attending Florida Polytechnic University as a freshman,” he said. “I picked mechanical and industrial engineering as my major with a concentration in geometric dimensioning and tolerance (3D modeling and design). I want to thank you for your support. I couldn’t do this without your support.”
“Two young men could not be with us tonight,” Hillier said. “Asa Rees and Ryan Robertson each received the Hooked on Education scholarships. Asa is attending Southeastern University as a Senior and Ryan is attending Florida State University as a Freshman. These two young men have a lot of drive and were impressive in their essays as well. I want to wish all of our young men and women the best of luck in their future endeavors.”