Published June 10, 2024
Melissa Cole, Pensacola State College Foundation
The Cantonment Rotary Club has supported Pensacola State College for more than a third of its seventy-six years of operation. First establishing the Cantonment Rotary Club Culinary Endowed Scholarship in the early 2000s, the Club now holds six endowed scholarships at PSC, four of which were awarded to 18 unique students at an annual scholarship luncheon held on Wednesday, June 5.
Among the scholarships awarded were the Cantonment Rotary Club’s Ike & Carolyn Hicks Terry Music Endowed Scholarship, Vocational I Student Endowed Scholarship, Vocational II Student Endowed Scholarship, and Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship.
“After graduation, I hope to become a studio musician,” Cantonment Rotary Club Ike & Carolyn Hicks Terry Music Endowed Scholarship recipient, Shawn White, disclosed during the luncheon. Shawn, who performed a Spanish style arrangement on classical guitar for the Club, shared that he also enjoys playing trombone, ukulele, and clarinet. He looks forward to participating in concerts with the PSC band and jazz band this fall.
Fellow music student and scholarship recipient, Elijah Spann, also performed during the luncheon, treating the Club to an elegant rendition of Carl Nielsen’s “The Children are Playing” on flute. The two students represented just a portion of the five recipients of the Club’s musical endowment.
Awards for the remaining 13 students were also presented that afternoon. One student received the Cantonment Rotary Club Vocational I Student Endowed Scholarship. Two students received the Vocational II Student Endowed Scholarship, and ten students received the Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to improve myself and better provide for my wife and family,” Charlie Angeli, a recipient of the Cantonment Rotary Club Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship, commented. “It’s encouraging to see the percentage of the content that I’m studying that directly translates into my career.” Charlie, who received his bachelor’s degree in maritime transport nautical technology in Alexandria, Egypt, is now pursuing a degree in mechanical design and fabrication engineering technology at Pensacola State.
Several students, awe-struck by the Club’s scholarship support, expressed their goals and aspirations for the future.
Braydon Sult hopes to open his own computer numerical control (CNC) fabrication shop after he graduates from PSC. In his spare time, he plays music with a local band. Randall Todd, in a similar fashion, hopes to expand his skillset in welding and CNC mechanics upon graduation. He looks forward working in auto mechanics, creating custom car equipment such as turbo manifolds. Both gentlemen were recipients of the Cantonment Rotary Club Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship.
James Gruenwald was also pleasantly surprised to receive the Rotary Club’s Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship. In addition to his studies at PSC, James is a passionate and devoted member of the Future Farmers of America. He hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of West Florida after receiving his associate degree at Pensacola State College. When not at school, James enjoys playing games and spending time at home with his family and their five cows, including their favorite, Topaz.
Andrew Keenan, another Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship recipient, shared how his hopes had grown during his education at PSC. Initially, Andrew dreamed of utilizing his degree to create special board game pieces with 3D printing technology and laser engravers. After discovering the versatility of 3D printing however, he hopes to play a part in grander projects, such as space shuttle design, where he learned the printing machinery would soon be implemented.
Ray Ascherfeld, the Club’s Rotary Foundation Chair, shared the history and background of the various scholarships with the Rotarians and recipients during the ceremony. An alumnus of the College and Cantonment Rotary Club member for nearly 48 years, Ray communicated the steady necessity for the Club’s role in expanding access to education at PSC.
“We’ve come a long way in almost thirty years,” Ray began. “From the very first $500 scholarship to the individuals recognized today, our Club has always been a strong proponent of education, especially vocational education. Through fundraising and annual events, like the Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament, our commitment to supporting these students and scholarships only continues to grow.”
The recipients honored at the luncheon were as follows:
- Cantonment Rotary Club Ike & Carolyn Hicks Terry Music Endowed Scholarship
- Samuel Browning
- Mia Lee
- Jayden Perryman
- Elijah Spann
- Shawn White
- Cantonment Rotary Club Vocational I Student Endowed Scholarship
- Jessica Lynch
- Cantonment Rotary Club Vocational II Student Endowed Scholarship
- T-ashia Grandison
- Benjanet Wright
- Cantonment Rotary Club Ted Ciano Vocational Endowed Scholarship
- Charlie Angeli
- James Gruenwald
- Andrew Keenan
- Tanner Law
- Mark Mollere
- Alyssa Stewart
- Dalton Suggs
- Braydon Sult
- Randall Todd
- Gary “JR” Welch
For more information and to support scholarships at Pensacola State College, visit http://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/ or contact Director of Foundation Scholarships, Mikenzie Francis-Opperman, at (850) 484 – 1788 or mfrancis-opperman@pensacolastate.edu
For more information about applying for scholarships and other forms of financial support at Pensacola State College, visit https://www.pensacolastate.edu/financial-aid/ or contact the Financial Aid Department at (850) 484-1680 or fava@pensacolastate.edu