
It is always an exciting time for my wife and I to be with all the youngsters from the Boys and and Girls Clubs. Today was our Dick Vitale Scholarship Day and Awards event and it really thrills me to see youngsters chasing their dreams and their goals. I told them to never, ever believe in the word “CAN’T” and to always make good decision and choices in pursuing their goals. My wife and I presented a total of $5,000 in college scholarships— $1,000 each to five outstanding Club members bound for college. As long-time supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, we have donated a total of $70,000 for scholarships in the last 14 years. This year the recipients were:
Dalena Nguyen - graduated North Port High and will study Pre-Clinical Heath Science at the University of Central Florida. She is a first generation college student and a bilingual student, fluent in English and Vietnamese. She has been a member of the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club member for two years and worked as Power Hour Assistant during her senior year. She is a member of the Key Club and enjoys art.
Caroline Vale - graduated North Port High School and will study Psychology at the University of Central Florida. Caroline has been a member of the BGC for six years and participated in the BGC Keystone Club for three years. She enjoys modeling, Karate, is a member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and supports Schools for Schools which benefits “Invisible Children in Uganda.”
Omar Woodard - graduated top of his class from Riverview and plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University. He played football at Riverview for four years and ran track for two years. He is a member of Greater Hurst Chapel A.M.E. and the BGC Keystone Club. Omar has been a member of the Roy McBean Club for six years and assisted at the front desk of the Club his senior year.
Quay Williams - graduated Booker High School and will attend State College of Florida studying Business and Management. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with family and friends. He is a member of the BGC Keystone Club and volunteers at Boys & Girls Club. He also coaches at Pop Warner. He played varsity football, participated in the College Out Reach program, A.M.E., Y.P.D. Church and is a Music Manager.
Emily Wells - graduated Booker High School and will attend Memphis College of Art studying Illustration. Her interests are art, children and charity work. Emily was BGC Keystone President and volunteers hundreds of hours. She says that the Boys & Girls Club “saved her life.”
