Pictured: L-R: SMA student class of 25 Elias Erquiaga and Education Foundation Student Success Coach Diana Berris. Elias was a STRIVE awardee in 2025, a program that recognizes 40 seniors at eight county high schools each year.

Every winter, scholarship season arrives with quiet urgency and extraordinary promise. For students across Sarasota County, these months are not just about applications and deadlines; they are about possibility. About whether dreams feel reachable. About whether the next chapter opens with confidence or uncertainty.

This year, that promise matters more than ever. Sarasota County School District recently celebrated an all-time high graduation rate of 94.3%. That milestone did not happen by chance. Superintendent Connor’s leadership, his extraordinary staff, and the endless dedication of Sarasota teachers and families significantly contribute to a student's belief that their hard work matters. They live in a community willing to show up and invest in what comes next. Scholarships are a powerful part of that equation, turning graduation from an ending into a beginning.

At the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, our scholarships reflect the many pathways students take toward success, and numerous community partners representing a variety of areas are equally committed to our students’ success and are represented in the scholarship database we offer through our website.

This year marks an exciting expansion of opportunity through our Future-Ready Scholar program, designed for students who need both financial support and guidance as they plan their futures. Fifty Future-Ready Scholars will receive $1,000 awards, alongside renewable scholarships, Florida Prepaid plans, and a Future-Ready Scholar of the Year, supported with up to $20,000 over four years.

One of those scholars is Pierce.

Pierce knew he wanted to serve others, and he loved to run. As a Sarasota Military Academy senior, he believed college was out of reach. He explored becoming a firefighter, only to realize it wasn’t the right fit. Discouraged but determined, Pierce talked with his Student Success Coach, who didn’t close doors but opened them. Together, they explored options, applied for scholarships, and imagined new possibilities. Today, Pierce is attending New College of Florida with his education fully funded and running competitively on the cross-country team.

“I was NOT planning on college,” Pierce shared. “For it to blossom the way it did and for me to be flourishing now—that’s what happens when you take steps and make connections through the Education Foundation.”

His story echoes through the voices of scholarship recipients across our community:

“This scholarship is not just financial support; it is a stepping stone toward a brighter future.”

“Your gift will go far in helping me achieve my dream of becoming a master mechanic.”

“I am so excited to continue my education without worrying about how I’m going to do this.”

These are not just individual success stories. They are workforce stories. Community stories. Proof that when we invest in students, we invest in Sarasota County’s future educators, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, artists, and skilled trades professionals.

For nearly a decade, our Scholarships Manager, Heather Ferrigno, has witnessed the impact of scholarships first-hand. “Scholarships open doors for students who might not otherwise imagine college within reach. More than financial support, they provide confidence and encouragement by showing students that someone believes in their ability to go further.”

Scholarship season is a reminder that belief is a powerful currency. And it grows when shared.

We invite our community, businesses, families, and neighbors to stand with our students. Support educational scholarships. Be part of the story that turns graduation into opportunity, and potential into purpose. Together, we can ensure that every student has the chance to go further while bringing our whole community with them.

Jennifer Vigne is the President and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Pictured: L-R: SMA student class of 25 Elias Erquiaga and Education Foundation Student Success Coach Diana Berris. Elias was a STRIVE awardee in 2025, a program that recognizes 40 seniors at eight county high schools each year.