Submitted by Osceola County Education Foundation — This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Educational Foundation of Osceola County's scholarship program. The gala awards ceremony will be held at Osceola Heritage Park on Wednesday, April 24th at 5 p.m.
The foundation plans to award a record amount of 500 scholarships to Osceola County seniors.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our esteemed scholarship program, this is an important occasion to reflect on the deep impact it has had on countless lives over the years. Since its inception, the scholarship program has been a beacon of hope, offering deserving individuals the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations and transform their future.
The Education Foundation was established in 1985 by Tommy Tompkins for the purpose of supporting and strengthening public education in Osceola County. At its inception, the Foundation's primary purpose was to ensure that all Osceola County graduates had guaranteed tuition for their first year of college.
In 1994, Ken Smith became the first staff member and president of an educational foundation with the specific mission of raising scholarship funds. Tommy and Ken were instrumental in raising her first $1 million and were able to establish a fund to expand scholarship opportunities for seniors in Osceola County. This marked the beginning of the foundational scholarship program of the Educational Foundation. This program was designed to provide valuable financial aid to students eligible for higher education.
November 1994 was the first year that the Educational Foundation proudly hosted the first Kids Golf Classic Scholarship and raised funds to directly support the scholarship. In 2012, the tournament was renamed after the late Larry Godwin in honor of his long service and support. After 30 years of unwavering support and dedication, this tournament has grown into a highly anticipated annual tradition and is widely recognized as Osceola County's premier charitable golf event. Currently, the Larry Godwin Scholarship for Kids Golf Classic exceeds $100,000 each year and directly benefits the scholarship program.
In line with the scholarship program, the Board of Directors has decided to extend the scholarship program. free Scholarship management services to organizations within our community. Educational Foundations helps donors establish cash or gift scholarship programs, develop criteria, and find the best recipients. Currently, we are proud to work with over 100 of her families and community partners and manage 30 endowments.
Since its inception, the Education Foundation's scholarship program has awarded 6,642 scholarships to students worth more than $11 million. Looking to the future, the Education Foundation is excited to build on the legacy of our scholarship program and continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of future generations. As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, the Foundation remains committed to expanding access to education, fostering excellence, and helping individuals reach new heights of achievement.
The Education Foundation would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors, community partners, donors, and volunteers who contribute to the success of our scholarship programs each year. Together, we shape a brighter future for our communities by investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.