Harney Point Kiwanis Club awards scholarships
After the Harney Point Kiwanis Club reinstated its scholarship program following a few years on hiatus, they were able to present three scholarships this year.
Oasis High School graduate Ellen Ann Sockman and Mariner High School graduates Carolina Lerma and Veronica Valencia each received a $500 scholarship and recognition during the Harney Point Kiwanis Club meeting Wednesday afternoon at The Dog Bar and Grille.
“Excellent work and excellent GPA’s,” President Scott Turner said to the recipients of the scholarships. “This is why we do what we do.”
He told the winners that this is the best presentation he has done since becoming the president of the club.
Sockman graduated with a 4.81 grade point average and was ranked first in her class as the first graduating class of Oasis High. She plans on studying early childhood education and business administration at Florida State University. The recent graduate works as a teacher’s assistant at Faith Christian Academy.
“Thank you for the scholarship,” Sockman told the Kiwanis Club members. She said she loves working with children and helping them develop and learn.
Lerma graduated with a 5.06 grade point average and was a Key Club member for all four years of high school and became the president her senior year. She plans on studying political science and psychology at the University of Florida to pursue a career as an attorney specializing in Family Law.
After Lerma was introduced to the Kiwanis Club members Wednesday afternoon, she told them how thankful she was to have them provide her with a scholarship. She said being a part of the Key Club during high school was a pleasant and life- enriching experience.
“Cape Coral had a huge part in shaping me and making me who I am today,” Lerma said.
Valencia graduated with a 5.15 grade point average. She was involved in nine organizations, many of which she held office, along with volunteering 360 hours for community service. Valencia plans on studying pre-medicine at the University of South Florida before attending Harvard University to further her studies in pediatric reconstructive surgery.
“Thank you for investing in me,” she told the Kiwanis Club members Wednesday afternoon.
Turner told the recent graduates that the club will follow their college careers and careers after school to see how they do.
The Harney Point Kiwanis Club members hope to increase the amount of scholarship awards they can provide next year to seniors.
Turner said this year they will allocate all the profits they earn from their annual Kids Fest, which is held the Saturday before Halloween, to the scholarship fund. He said the funds will come from the festival’s sponsorships, vendor spaces and $2 contribution for parking.
“All the profits from that will go towards scholarships,” Turner said.
He hopes to raise up to $15,000, so the club can give a total of $7,500 to $10,000 in scholarship funds to seniors next year.
The Harney Point Kiwanis Club currently sponsors eight schools in Cape Coral.