Scholarship Winners
If you would like to apply for one of these scholarships, see your EHS Guidance Counselor for an application.
If you are a scholarship recipient, you should have received the details on how to access your scholarship at the Awards Ceremony. If not, please contact the EHS Office: 407.835.4900.
2023 Winners
Catherine Nollie
Catherine has chosen Columbia University to study Computer Science. Growing up in a low-income family Catherine chose to become “earnest”. She wants to help create communities that allow everyone, especially low-income families, to feel like they belong. In high school she participated in conferences that introduced her to technology and urban planning. She is a Questbridge National College Match and a Horatio Alger National Scholar. She did a vocal performance at the Orlando International Film Festival. She was a member of the Opera Orlando Youth Company and volunteered at the Orange County Regional History Center.
Faith Aretha Lewis
Faith plans to attend University of Florida to become a nurse. She will graduate with her A.A. degree from dual enrollment at Valencia. Being a radiation oncologists or medical surgery nurse with the intention of becoming a travel nurse appeals to her. Living in a single-parent household this scholarship will help her get through college. Faith is a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society and Edgewater’s Student Government Association. She volunteered with Advent Health and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Taylor Gale
Taylor plans to attend Advent Health University in Orlando training to become an Ultrasound Technician. Taylor is on the Edgewater Varsity Cheerleading Squad. She worked at the Tap Room and Mead Gardens.
Neah Varisara Montgomery
Neah plans to attend the University of Florida to major in Psychology. She plans to research the roots of multicultural mental-health stigma. She wants to help struggling individuals carve personalized paths to happiness. Eventually Neah wants to earn her doctorate in psychiatry, specializing in psychotherapy. Neah balances her academic work with a busy sports and volunteering schedule. Her Leadership Activities are numerous – National Honor Society, Asian Culture Club, Advent Health for Children Art Cart, Best Buddies and the list goes on. She translated documents for her mother from English to Thai.
D’Juan Gilbert
D’Juan is to receive a football scholarship at Ferris State University and wants to become a mechanical engineer for Mclaren. His senior year he enrolled at Orange Technical College to expand his knowledge in the Automotive Engineering field. He has been involved with Edgewater’s Varsity Football all during high school. As team captain he is proud of Edgewater’s success. He has been awarded a Pell grant. D’Juan has a passion for football and cars. Ferris State offers him the opportunity to venture into both worlds.
Lyric Hughes
Lyric plans to attend Spelman College to study Biology and wants to become a physician’s assistant in pediatrics. Lyric often helps other students complete their assignments. In addition to Lyric’s academic prowess, she is a student athletic trainer, a highly responsible position that requires long hours as she is on duty at many sporting events.
Jackson Thevenin
Jackson plans to attend Valencia College to study Computer Science, but with music one of the big pillars in his life since he was a kid, he wants to play in a college marching band and play in the jazz band. On a personal note, he loves Haitian music. As a Haitian kid who was born around that type of music and as a musician himself he hopes to play in one of the big name Haitian groups. Jackson would like to come back to high school to help with the percussion section. He also loves to make music on “garageband”.
Kelly Gallagher
Kelly plans to attend the University of North Florida to study nursing. Kelly says that for as long as she can remember she has wanted to be a nurse. Throughout high school she participated in Varsity Sports (Swim Team and Lacrosse), worked a part-time job and learned leadership skills through her community service. She has helped kids without homes through her church; worked with the National Honor Society and the Interact Club; and served as the Vice President of Best Buddies.
Riley Olivero
Riley wants to attend Stetson University to study Communications and Media Studies. She wants to work with communication and marketing of medical sales. Growing up her twin sister had a fight with cancer. The sister is now healthy. Riley wants to help people be able to afford the medicine they need. Riley mastered the curriculum in Creative Photography, Portfolio Development 2D Design Honors, and Advanced Placement Studio Art & Design. Her strength is shooting on location with a keen eye for composition. She explored visual approaches for documentation of pollution and the encroachments of habitat in nature. Her Oration School final was a chance for her to work on her public speaking. Riley was a Freedom Ride Volunteer with her 4H group. She did a paid Internship as a teller with Addition Financial at Edgewater High School.
Abigail Grace Barner
In Abigail’s sophomore year, her first at Edgewater, she was seeking purpose following several years of health issues. She joined her brother in his community service with adolescents with learning and developmental disabilities. She became determined to make the world a more kind inclusive place for them. She will be living out her purpose at Vanderbilt University where she will study Special Education and Cognitive Studies at their Peabody School, renowned for its work in the field she is dedicating not just her career, but her life to…. Bettering the lives of those with disabilities. Her academic honors at Edgewater include National Honor Society, Capstone Certification, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Honor Roll. Abigail was a Private Peer Therapist/Aide to a middle school student with nonverbal autism and provided one on one peer support to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Educational Student Education Summer School.
Aziah Denmark
Aziah plans to attend Valencia College to study Business Management snd then on to Bethune Cookman. Her dream career was majoring in business and fashion design. Aziah struggled during COVID. After dealing with such a widespread virus, she felt isolated. She tried out for softball and cheerleading and says she really found her place on the cheer squad. Going to college is a long-time dream of Aziah’s. She was a Horizon Scholar with Take Stock in Children, a two-year Florida Prepaid college scholarship.
Rafael Gonzalez-Acosta
Rafael is looking to study Biomedical Engineering at the University of Miami. He sees medicine as a way to serve others in some of their most vulnerable life situations. Biomedical Engineering is rapidly evolving. Advancements from prosthetic limbs to robotic surgeries and 3-D printed tissue are redefining a practice as old as humans themselves. He would like to be on the forefront of this innovation. Pursuing this career will require years of further education. The accompanying time and financial commitment cannot be underestimated, but his passion for the subject makes the sacrifice worthwhile.
Aziah Denmark
Aziah plans to attend Valencia College to study Business Management snd then on to Bethune Cookman. Her dream career was majoring in business and fashion design. Aziah struggled during COVID. After dealing with such a widespread virus, she felt isolated. She tried out for softball and cheerleading and says she really found her place on the cheer squad. Going to college is a long-time dream of Aziah’s. She was a Horizon Scholar with Take Stock in Children, a two-year Florida Prepaid college scholarship.
Rafael Gonzalez-Acosta
Rafael is looking to study Biomedical Engineering at the University of Miami. He sees medicine as a way to serve others in some of their most vulnerable life situations. Biomedical Engineering is rapidly evolving. Advancements from prosthetic limbs to robotic surgeries and 3-D printed tissue are redefining a practice as old as humans themselves. He would like to be on the forefront of this innovation. Pursuing this career will require years of further education. The accompanying time and financial commitment cannot be underestimated, but his passion for the subject makes the sacrifice worthwhile.
Thao Nguyen
Thao plans to attend Valencia College to become a dental hygienist. She has been chosen for the “Bridges to Success” program at Valencia. She looks forward to getting practical experience working at regional dental clinics. While at Edgewater Thao was a member of the Interact Club, Asian Culture Appreciation Club, and National Honor Society while learning the English language. She volunteered with LGBTQ+ Center and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Jacob Dillon Kelvington
Jake looks forward to attending Florida Atlantic University to pursue a degree in veterinarian sciences. As Jake puts it, he is destined to be a veterinarian. Since he was young he has been fascinated by every animal he encountered. He realized and has experienced first hand the meaningfulness animals have in our lives. He’s been involved in rescues and is passionate about solving animal abuse and neglect. Jake states his strengths are in sciences and math and he was able to job-shadow a veterinarian last summer. He participated in the intake, evaluation and treatment process, as well as several surgeries. He notes that the veterinary industry is experiencing a high demand for practitioners! Jake has been busy while at Edgewater with National Honor Society, AP Scholar candidate, Principal’s Honor Roll, team captain for freshman football and golf, Chemistry Honors class tutor to name a few.
Stephanie Faith Williams
Stephanie plans to attend the University of Florida to study Statistics and Actuarial Science. She plans to become an actuary. At UF she wishes to become a member of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting and participate in a study abroad program. She also wants to continue volunteering with poverty and hunger organizations like UF’s A Reason to Give. During her Edgewater High School learning she volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank and with the cardiovascular care unit at her local hospital. She was able to walk with a patient after surgery because he had no family present to help him. A big challenge! It took three weeks for the patient to walk on his own again. She says that the main thing she learned was patience and endurance.
Chloe Annabella Smiles
At an early age Chloe’s mother was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. She remembers how sick her mother became following chemotherapy. It is no wonder Chloe is fascinated by chemistry, biology, math, and psychology. The second unit of AP psychology goes into the “biological basis of behavior,” a.k.a. a crash course introduction to neuroscience, the perfect intersection of everything she is fascinated with. Her many extracurricular activities include: being a Varsity Rower; a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; being a producer, co-director, editor and camera operator; and is a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons.
Scholarships Previously Given
The Patricia Fox Scholarship
Patricia Fox dedicated her life to bettering her community in any way she could. From running for Mayor of Maitland to running for School Board, her passion was to make an impact in the lives of others. She spent 15 years teaching and encouraging students at Edgewater High School in Orlando. Her ability to listen and council students by connecting with them is why she was able to impact so many lives. Her students were her second family.
This scholarship is awarded to an Edgewater High School senior who aspires to teach or participate in public service. This student can be selected based on need, academic achievement, good citizenship, extra-curricular activities, personal accomplishments and/or spirit of volunteerism. Applications are available through the Edgewater High School Guidance Office. The Fox family will participate in selection of recipient.
The Dr. “Pro” Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of a long time Edgewater High School teacher Dr. Joseph Prochaska. He taught his classes creatively and with humor while emphasizing individual growth and responsibility.
The Dr. “Pro” Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a student that has a financial need and wishes to continue in post secondary education. The recipient will be selected by the Joseph Prochaska Family and/or their designees working with the EHS Guidance Officer.
The $500 College Park Neighborhood Scholarship
A $500 scholarship awarded to a deserving student based on need, academic achievement, good citizenship, extra-curricular activities, personal accomplishments and/or a spirit of volunteerism. The recipient is a student who is majoring in fields related to community (such as teaching, government or political science.