It’s always an inspiring time of year when you get to see the pictures of excited High School seniors and college students gathered at graduation ceremonies, but don’t you wonder what the real story is behind each of the graduates and how they got to the point when they are walking across the stage? This month the Community Foundation reached a new milestone, awarding more than $2 million in scholarships to those seeking higher education. More than 460 graduating seniors from Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties received scholarships from the Foundation ranging from $500 to $50,000. 110 adult learners, those returning to college or vocational school after being out of high school for a number of years, also received scholarships.

While this is an immense pride point for our Foundation, it also becomes a large responsibility to diligently review thousands of applications and facilitate numerous in-person interviews with students. The stories we hear are inspiring and heartbreaking. Alarmingly, many young people have juggled responsibilities like taking care of their siblings, being the main financial provider in their home, dealing with immigration or parental guardian issues, all the while staying on top of their school work, keeping obligations to sports teams and fulfilling volunteer requirements. It can’t get any more real than that. However, all the adversity always adds an extra amount of pride when we see our scholarship recipients succeed. One story that touched our hearts is that of Taneshia and her son Tavaris.

A number of years ago, Taneshia reached out to the Community Foundation. She had been laid off as the business she worked for began requiring associate degrees for her position. Being a single mother and only financial provider in her household at the time, she didn’t have many options and was told the Community Foundation could help pay for her to go back to school.

After talking with us and determining a plan for her academic goals, Taneshia enrolled back into college to finish her associate’s degree with assistance from scholarship awards from the Community Foundation, specifically one focused for single mothers. She was so determined to continue in higher education that she ended up receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing, all the while working part-time through college.

The magical thing about Taneshia’s story is that while she was studying and pursuing a better life for her family, her son Tavaris had been working just as hard on his academic dreams. Inspired by his mother’s ambition, Tavaris strove to maintain the best grades he could in high school, all the while volunteering (400-plus hours at Sarasota Memorial Hospital), playing on the football team and working to support his household. Now that he was ready to graduate and head to college, Taneshia knew exactly where to turn to apply for scholarships.

It gives me chills to know this story just turned full circle two weeks ago. Because of his impressive resume and incredible merit, Tavaris was eligible to receive the Community Foundation’s Lela D. Jackson Scholarship, the largest scholarship award we steward. After an interview with our scholarship committee, he was notified the same day that he was receiving $50,000 over four years to attend the college of his choice. Because of our award, he will not require any other scholarship assistance or help from his mom to support his dreams of getting a degree in business.

There are so many stories like the ones of Taneshia and Tavaris. However, each of them found hope through their education, worked hard to achieve good grades and held dreams to make a difference in this world.

The vision of the Community Foundation’s donors is behind this great milestone—donors who believe in giving our bright, local students and adult learners an opportunity to empower themselves through higher education. Investing in people to further their education is one of the best investments donors can make for life long success. My heartfelt congratulations to those who are improving their lives and the lives of others by furthering their education.

Roxie Jerde is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.