Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Foundation awards more than $64,000 in scholarships
Last Monday, June 16, the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Foundation handed out this year’s scholarship checks, totaling $64,650, to 30 recipients at Pine Island United Methodist Church on Pine Island Road.
Representing the foundation and distributing checks at the event were board member and former Pine Island Elementary School principal Steven Hook, and board member Monica Oakley.
Hook said he has been on the board since 2012 and that this year, in particular, he’s found the foundation has been a great benefit to him personally.
“The tournament and the scholarship programs have just gotten better and better every year. The board has great passion for what they do and it’s just so fulfilling to be a part of it,” Hook said.
This year was especially meaningful to Hook, he said, because some of the scholarship recipients were former students of his from when he was still the principal at Pine Island Elementary. He described the ability to watch his former students successfully pursue the next part of their journey as very satisfying.
“The scholarships we’ve been able to give out over the years has increased, so it’s been very exciting to be a part of it,” Hook said.
The board has often discussed its vision for the future, Hook said, and they have agreed that building a community center for the kids on Pine Island is something they would all like to see or help make happen eventually.
Oakley, who helped Hook distribute the scholarship checks, found herself taking great pride in the recipients, as they are finding their way to higher education.
“What a great night presenting our community with scholarships as they go on to their next adventure. Thirty scholarships were presented tonight at the Pine Island United Methodist Church. These community members are continuing their education at fire academy, welding school, as well as colleges and tech schools in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina,” Oakley said.
She noted special congratulations to Willow Williams for being presented the Phil Rosenberg Memorial scholarship, Caliah Russell received the Rob Wells Sr. Memorial scholarship and Leiana Boyd for being awarded the Chris Dohme Memorial scholarship.
“We are so proud of this group and can’t wait to see what the year brings for them,” Oakley said.
The board would like to especially thank Lisa Dence at Salty Girls for the amazing taco bar and to PIUMC for the use of their facilities.
Holloway scholarship recipients
Danika McCafferey
Elizabeth Vergara
Corin Scrudato
Grayce Smith
Judd Harre
Savanah Lynch
Rebecca Rose
Erika Romero
Anna G Moreau
Ronald Dorr
Lily Moreau
Leiana Boyd
Caliah Russell
Chase Barnhill
Waylon Squires
Annedora Paddock
Oscar Beltran
Meagan Kunkel
Melanie Garcia
Skyla Stevens
Brooke Schaal
Dominyka Romero
Ella Bernard
Armando Perez
Marlin Martin
Darien Brown
Sierra Nason
Brianna Whitney
Willow Williams
Gage Blanchard