The Coral Gables Community Foundation recently awarded $60,000 in college scholarships to 11 seniors from Coral Gables Senior High and $32,000 in grants to 15 non-profit organizations with an impact to Coral Gables.
The Foundation, its supporters and the scholarship and grant recipients celebrated with a reception hosted at the historic home of Ajit and Maria Alicia Asrani.
The Coral Gables Community Foundation and its fund holders, take pride in awarding scholarships to assist deserving students with financial need. This year, the Foundation presented the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Four-Year Scholarship, Ralph V. Moore Scholarship for Cavalier Excellence, Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship, Kerdyk Family Music Scholarship and Culinary Arts Fund Scholarship. The students were presented their awards by the Foundation’s board of directors for academic excellence and outstanding service to school and community.
The 11 recipients of college scholarships from the Foundation are:
Josh Zambrano (Dartmouth College) with a four-year, $10,000 scholarship;
Betsy Garcia (Florida International University) with a four-year, $10,000 scholarship;
Johnny Li (University of Florida) with a four-year, $10,000 scholarship;
Sabrina Ochoa (University of Florida) with a four-year, $10,000 scholarship;
Gladys Ruiz (Florida International University) with a $1,000 scholarship;
Diandra Dawhajre (Miami Dade College Culinary Institute) with a $2,000 Culinary Arts scholarship;
Michael Medina (Johnson & Wales) with a $2,000 Culinary Arts scholarship;
Miguel Roche (Miami Dade College) with a $2,000 Culinary Arts scholarship;
Jordan Payne (Stanford University) with a $1,000 Ralph V. Moore scholarship for Cavalier Excellence; Janyla Manley (Florida A&M University) with a $1,000 Lady Suzanna P. Tweed scholarship;
Angelika Menendez (Fordham University) with a $2,000 Kerdyk Family Music scholarship, and
Analia Girala (Loyola University) with a $1,500 Kerdyk Family Music scholarship.
“We are so proud to award these 11 talented and deserving students with college scholarships,” said Mary Snow, executive director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. “Additionally, our Community Grants efforts have reached a new high with the awarding of more than $30,000 to 15 non-profit organizations with an impact to Coral Gables. The generosity of our fund holders, donors and supporters throughout the year make this possible.”
In addition to the scholarship awards, the event also celebrated the Foundation’s Spring 2016 Community Grant recipients. Twice a year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations with an impact in Coral Gables. Fifteen non-profit organizations were presented with their grant award by the Foundation’s board of directors.
The Coral Gables Community Foundation supports the work of its Spring 2016 grantees: Boys & Girls Club Summer Performing Arts Program, Bridge Disability Network, Whispering Manes, Coral Gables Art Cinema, Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Everglades Foundation, Seraphic Fire, Slow Food Miami, Community Arts Program at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, Coral Gables Museum, Lola B. Walker Homeowners Foundation, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, University of Miami School of Architecture, Coral Gables High School Football Program, and Bake A Wish.
“Our board of directors, Merrick Society members, fund holders and supporters are such an important part of our giving,” said John O’Rourke III, chair of the Coral Gables Community Foundation Board of Directors. “Their generosity allows us to give back in these impactful ways, which adds to the footprint of the Foundation and enhances the quality of life in Coral Gables.”
Also at the reception, the Coral Gables Community Foundation received a $2,500 grant to its Four-Year Scholarship Fund from WellsFargo. Jorge Villacampa, WellsFargo area president for Miami-Dade County, and Pat Morris, community affairs officer for South Florida, were on hand to present the check to the Foundation.
For more information, visit www.gablesfoundation.org.
