OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO

Grateful Rotary Scholarship Recipients Strive For Greatness

Alarge group of Rotarians, hundreds of vendors and thousands of people flocking to the Upper Keys Rotary Club’s 28th annual Gigantic Nautical Flea Market are helping students achieve their academic and career dreams. Proceeds from the event will be doled out to graduates and students continuing their college careers through scholarships. Some 27 students currently studying at two-year and fouryear institutions checked in with the Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Keys Weekly to send an update on their triumphs while offering gratitude for the financial support.

Bernardo Burga operations assistant. It is a super fun job where I get to learn about fitness while constantly working with and for people. I also serve for my church’s youth group every Wednesday night and lead a small group of middle school girls! I am so grateful for the help I received from the Upper Keys Rotary Club.

I'm a junior at Columbia University studying chemical engineering. This year, I have been mainly focusing on my coursework while still taking the time to venture out into the city. I have also accepted an internship offer to work at Bloomberg's New Energy Finance department this coming summer. These unique and privileged opportunities are in part possible through the Rotary Club's generosity, and I am very grateful for their continued financial support towards my education.

Javier Hernandez

Crystal HernandezCorrea

Hannah Prescher

I am currently living in Lynchburg, Virginia attending Liberty University. Here, I am majoring in communications and I am about to start my fourth semester! I also work at the university’s gym as an

I am studying towards a bachelor's degree in aviation business administration and an associates degree in aviation maintenance science at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Within the next few semesters I will have my airframe and powerplant ratings which will allow me to start working as an aircraft maintenance technician. I am very grateful for Rotary's support throughout my college experience.

I graduated from Coral Shores High School in the spring of 2022. I am currently attending Florida Atlantic University, majoring in health science. I’m heading into my third semester at FAU, and the help I received from the Upper Keys Rotary Club is making it easier for me to succeed.

Adriana Ornelas

I’m working on my master of science in accounting and taxation at FGCU. I will be graduating in the summer of 2023. I’m also preparing for the certified public accountant examinations to earn my license. My plans after graduating are to begin working full time at a public accounting firm. The Upper Keys Rotary has helped me tremendously throughout my undergraduate years, as well as with my certification expenses. They have supported my academic journey, which has allowed me to always stay focused and determined.

Samantha Wright

I’m a recent graduate from Florida SouthWestern State College. I now attend FGCU pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health science. With my education, I hope to educate individuals on the power of nutrition. The scholarship from the Upper Keys Rotary Club has been a real help in making these steps.

Amy Leal

I am currently attending Florida International University as a firstyear student and majoring in political science in the hopes of becoming a lawyer. The generosity of the Upper Keys Rotary has been a massive help in pursuing my higher education.

Raul Sanchez

I’m currently attending Florida International University where I’m studying mechanical engineering. The work is hard, but I love it. I appreciate the help I have received from the Upper Keys Rotary Club.

Annika Needham

Over the past few months, I have been studying at Florida State University. Currently, I am on the management information systems track, which is essentially a combined business and computer science program. I have joined the Alpha Phi sorority, enabling me to meet many new people and find connections. Additionally, I am a part of the Association of Information Science, which is a club for MIS majors. I loved being a part of the Interact Club and I am grateful for the support of Rotary at FSU!

Brian Lesko

I am currently attending Florida State University and my current major is entrepreneurship. I’ve had so much fun and many great experiences just in my first semester. Even though I can’t go to the sandbar every weekend, I truly believe I made the right choice. I’m grateful, not only to be attending my dream school, but the best college in the nation. Thank you Upper Keys Rotary and the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market!

Katy

Borders

Hello Rotary! I’m a sophomore at Florida State University and currently majoring in civil-environmental engineering. I’m so grateful to the Rotary and the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market for helping finance my future and continue my education. I can’t wait to continue my volunteer work with them for years to come.

Eliza Schafstall

I am attending school at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. I’m majoring in the film bachelor’s degree program and will be graduating in 2024, and then move onto getting my foot in the industry. I enjoyed making promotional videos for the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market and supporting their scholarship work.

Andrea Lopez

I'm a freshman at Miami International University of Art and Design. I love all aspects of the creative industry, such as video production, photography, graphic design and advertising, so I'm currently studying for my bachelor’s in visual arts. I made the move from the Keys to Miami, and that was a huge change, however, I've been exposed to so many opportunities, and now I'm working as an assistant photographer in one of the biggest boutiques in Miami along with a social media manager, creating all of her photography content. Thanks to the Rotary, I'm able to pursue my career.

Jacob Craig

I am a Coral Shores High School Class of 2022 graduate and currently studying at Pace University in New York City, majoring in commercial dance. I am so grateful for the Upper Keys Rotary to have been so generous to have awarded me with the Landau Scholarship, which allowed me to follow my dreams of moving to New York City and pursuing a career in dance. Thank you!

Rebecca Sheffield

I'm currently attending Santa Fe college, while being a transient student at the University of Florida! I'm studying biology as a major on a pre-med track, hoping to continue on to medical school and become an OB/GYN. At the University of Florida, I am a part of the Fightin’ Gator Marching Band and play all home games, and sometimes travel with the band to football games! It's been an adjustment going from the Florida Keys to Gainesville, but I couldn't be happier where I am, and I'm so grateful for the Upper Keys Rotary Club!

Gigantic Nautical Flea Market has given me to be able to reach my goals.

Kylie Deckard

I just finished my second semester at University of Central Florida. I am currently on track to get my bachelor’s in nursing. College life has been great so far; I have learned a lot. Thank you to the Rotary for my scholarship, along with Take Stock in Children, has given me tremendous support in my college journey. Hope to see you soon at the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market!

Lucia Rodriguez

Lacy Mann

I graduated with my bachelor's degree in May 2021. During my undergraduate years, I had the opportunity to design and carry out research that measured and proved a positive correlation of higher anxiety levels found in individualistic college students as opposed to lower levels found in collectivistic students. My research was accepted to be presented at the annual Association for Psychological Sciences conference. I am currently pursuing my master's in mental health counseling. I continue to enjoy my studies and have become progressively more aware of the need for this field. I look forward to beginning my internships next year and working towards receiving my license. This journey would not have been possible without the generosity poured out by our community and the Upper Keys Rotary Club. I am forever grateful!

Alexis Kumar

I currently attend University of Central Florida. I am studying health sciences and plan on getting a physician assistant degree after getting my bachelor of science degree from UCF. I am active on campus through my sorority, Kappa Delta.

Brooke Barrow

I have completed two semesters at the University of Central Florida. I am currently majoring in information technology with a focus on cybersecurity. I still enjoy coming back to the Keys over break and working part time. I am grateful for the opportunity the Upper Keys Rotary Club and the

I'm currently a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, majoring in health sciences. I plan on becoming a physical therapist after my four years at UCF.

Nicholas Wahba

I'm a senior at the University of Central Florida studying digital media — web and social platforms. One of my favorite moments while attending UCF is my passion for being an active member of the Orlando community. I'm thrilled to announce that I'm currently a secondyear member of Knight-Thon, a studentdriven based organization that raises money for the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. I'm happy that the Upper Keys Rotary has continued to help me with my education and I can't thank them enough for making my dreams turn into a reality.

In the last 28 months, direct benefits were paid to 21 colleges and universities to benefit 182 local students. Typically, 15 to 20 of those students are in their second to fourth year of college. In other words, we helped them the first year and we continue to help. The Upper Keys Rotary Club has suppoted aircraft maintenance training, diesel engine maintenance, marine engine maintenance, law enforcement, EMT and other valuable technical training.

Nola

I have been at the University of Central Florida in Orlando for the last three years. Currently, I am projected to graduate in December of 2023, a semester early. I am a health science major on a pre-clinical track and I plan to attend physician assistant school somewhere in Florida. I am also still a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and I am Recruitment 365 Director, where I will be assisting in recruiting girls for the fall of 2023. I have made Dean’s List for the past five semesters and will be working as a registered behavior technician three days a week at an autism center to accumulate hours for physician assistant school.

Sadier Hernandez

I am studying at the University of Central Florida to get a bachelor’s in architecture and a minor in business. This year, I joined the American Institute of Architecture Students and I am loving college life. Thanks to my Rotary scholarship I was able to focus on my physics class and join AIAS.

Callie Bloom

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Florida. My major is public health with a minor in nonprofit organizational leadership. I am in a dance company at the University of Florida called Danza. I absolutely love my school and am so grateful to be able to continue my education here.

Madeline Langley

I am a first-year finance major at the University of Florida. This past semester, I joined the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, and next semester I will serve as their secretary. Thank you to the Upper Keys Rotary. Go Gators!

Jason Castillo

I am currently a junior at the University of Florida and majoring in mathematics. In college, I participate in intramural leagues, go to many sporting events and attend various campus clubs. When I graduate, I hope to pursue a career in sports statistics or data analysis. The scholarship from the Upper Keys Rotary Club has been very helpful!

Sophie Williams

I am a senior at the University of Florida graduating in May with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering and minor in biomolecular engineering. On campus, I serve as the president of the Chemical Engineering Peer Advisors and I am also involved in undergraduate research, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Stomp the Swamp (UF's tap dancing team). Following graduation, I will join the Edison Engineering Development Program at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, a two-year rotational program during which I will complete three to four engineering job rotations and get a master's degree in nuclear engineering. I am forever grateful for my four years of financial support I have received from the Upper Keys Rotary Club and appreciate the hard work of the volunteers in putting on the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market!