The Founders Fund, Inc. Honors 2009 Scholarship Recipients

Naples, FL, May 14, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Students were invited to a reception in their honor as the latest, in a long line, of outstanding high school seniors who will be receiving a Founders Fund college scholarship beginning 2009.

The Founders Fund, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization, awarded 27 scholarships this year, and 21 of the students were on hand to accept their awards at the reception. The reception was held on May 7 at the Club Pelican Bay. Over 100 attended the first annual Scholarship Awards Reception including family, friends, board members, committee chairs, benefactors, supporters, and area high school guidance counselors.

Ray Crisci, Chair of the Founders Fund opened the program with a welcome and then turned the podium over to Rocky Caldwell, the Fund’s first Chair in 1991. Larry White, Chairman of the Board from The Club Pelican Bay was asked to add remarks as well as Audrey Moss, Immakolee High School Counselor. The awards presentation was conducted by Sue McNaghten and Ray Crisci. Each student spoke briefly explaining their school choice for next year and their area of study.

Each student will receive $2000 per year during their four years of college. The 2009 class recipients will be attending colleges and universities all over the United States and studying a wide variety of topics from pre-med and social services to communications and business.

In 2008, renewable annual scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to 25 students in Collier County High Schools. 94 students at 27 different colleges, universities, vocational school, and professional programs are supported by annual scholarships from the Founders Fund. The scholarships are renewable each year the student is in school, provided that they maintain a B grade point average.

The mission of the Founders Fund is to provide financial assistance to young men and women from Collier County in their pursuit of post high school education and training. Recipients are selected on the basis of need and merit from the ten high schools of Collier County.

The Founders Fund was created in 1991 by the Founding Golf Members of The CLUB at Pelican Bay, a private golf club. The Internal Revenue Service has classified the Founders Fund as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization.

For more information about scholarships or sponsorships, visit www.TheFoundersFundInc.org or call 239-593-0124.

2009/2010 Scholarship Recipients
Community School - Julian Calixtro
Everglades - Renee Gonzalez
Golden Gate - Johal Baez, Thu Doan, Marjorie Eldira
Gulf Coast - Catherine Eble, Daniel Marulanda, Andrea Ramos
Immokalee - Jose Martinez, Sergio Martinez, Maria Mendoza, Bruna Pierre, Gaelle Colas
Lely High - Caleb Eiler, Victoria Howard, Sebastian Mancera
Naples High - Weslande Baptiste, Colleen Carney, Yvenalie Louissaint, Ashley Gore
Palmetto Ridge - Peter Bielawski, Jefferson Iles, Kimberly Milne
St. John Neumann - Amabel Mendoza dela Roma, Nickolas Pantner
The Club Pelican Bay - Carmen Elliott, Paige Driapsa, Gabrielle McCaffrey

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