The Coral Gables Community Foundation recently awarded scholarships to four Coral Gables Senior High School students and awarded two more scholarships to students — one from Gulliver Preparatory School and one from Miami Senior High School.
The annual awards ceremony at Coral Gables Senior High School took place on Wednesday, Apr. 30. The following Gables High seniors were recognized by the Foundation for their academic excellence and outstanding service to their school and community:
Michael Hammond, $1,000 Ralph V. Moore Scholarship for Cavalier Excellence
The Ralph V. Moore Scholarship for Cavalier Excellence is given annually to an outstanding student who embodies the values of longtime principal Ralph V. Moore. The award emphasizes the importance of leaving a legacy at Coral Gables Senior High School.
Michael Hammond is the epitome of what the Ralph V. Moore Scholarship represents. Highly involved with the Gables High community, he also holds an excellent academic record.
Throughout his high school career, Michael has been team captain of the Varsity Golf team and a member of the Florida Business Leaders of America, International Baccalaureate Honor Society, Key Club, Italian Club, Mathematic Honors Society and a number of other organizations. He plans to study at the University of Pennsylvania.
Patricia Passwaters, $1,000 Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship Lady Suzanna P. Tweed created a scholarship fund with the Coral Gables Community Foundation to help deserving students continue their education.Patricia Passwaters is the recipient of this year’s award.
Not only is Patricia a talented writer, having been involved with the school’s online newspaper Cavs Connect, journalism society, yearbook and other literary endeavors, she also has served as Student Council president. In addition, she has received numerous honors for her writing and academics. She plans to attend the University of Florida.
Gema Baltodano, $1,000 Grant & Bridget Daugherty Scholarship
Created to assist Coral Gables Senior High School students who intend to study nursing, Gema Baltodano is the perfect recipient for the Grant & Bridget Daugherty Scholarship. She intends to become a neonatologist and care for infants in poor health.
She previously has volunteered at Miami Children’s Hospital and with an outstanding academic résumé, she is well on her way to a successful career. She will be studying nursing at Florida State University later this year.
Bryan Medina, $1,000 Kerdyk Family Trust Music Scholarship
The Kerdyk Family Trust Music Scholarship is given annually to graduating seniors who have shown an interest in music during their high school years. Overall academic success, a love for music and an intention to study music are factors in the evaluation process. Bryan Medina is one of the recipients of this year’s award.
Bryan is a talented musician, having served as captain of the Coral Gables Senior High School Cavalier Chorus. He is an honors student and also plays guitar for school functions and events around the community. He plans to pursue music as a career and will attend Florida International University.
Because the selection committee was so impressed with two Gables seniors, the Foundation’s board of directors decided to award a special scholarship from the Coral Gables Community Foundation Scholarship Fund to those two students: Michael Hammond and Patricia Passwaters. These students will receive a one-time $2,000 scholarship to use at the colleges they plan to attend in the fall.
In addition to the four Gables students listed above, two more high school seniors received scholarships. Daniela Rodriguez- Firmani, a student at Gulliver Preparatory School, received a $3,000 scholarship through the Kerdyk Family Trust Music Scholarship. Tracy Kerdyk presented the scholarship award to Daniela at Gulliver on May 9.
Miami Senior High School student Yesenia Dulce-Rapalo received a $500 scholarship from the Miami High School Class of ’61 Scholarship Fund, created by alumni to support students from their former school.
For more information on applying for a scholarship, visit gablesfoundation.org.
