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CFY’s 2022 Richard O. Jacobson (ROJ) Postsecondary Scholarship Program has reached new heights with a total of $151,000 to be awarded this summer, up from $115,000 in 2021. The 31% jump is in part due to the increased availability of $10,000 awards this year, but also the addition of a new category of awards specific to technical/trade paths.
The final distribution of awards includes: eight $10,000 college/university awards, ten $5,000 college/university awards, and six $3,500 technical/trade awards, for a total of 24 lives impacted. Each honoree will have the opportunity to meet their scholarship sponsor at the upcoming Breakfast at the Ballpark, sponsored by the Philadelphia Phillies at their Spring Training home away from home on March 9 at 8:30 am.
Over 100 applications were submitted, each undergoing a blind review by CFY’s Scholarship Committee. Since the formalization of the program, the committee has been chaired by CFY Board Member, Dawn Daugherty, who has been a sponsor herself since the very start:
“The generosity of our sponsors and the enthusiasm and accomplishments of these students continue to amaze me and fill my heart! I am so proud to be a part of the CFY organization and this Scholarship Committee.”
What started as a few one-off scholarships awarded to local seniors as an extension of CFY’s youth-focused mission quickly gained traction, offering sponsors the opportunity for direct impact with their selected student: 100% of sponsor dollars are paid directly to the postsecondary institution, all administrative expenses associated with the program covered by CFY. Today there are close to 20 sponsors, some with multiple scholarships, and many who continue to support the program year over year. In 2016, available awards totaled $50,000; in just 6 years, this figure has increased over 200%.
The ROJ scholarship program reopens each year on November 15th with an online application open to all Pinellas County High School seniors, or those of similar age who are in pursuit of or have completed their GED. Sponsor inquiries and other program related questions may be submitted to scholarships@cfypinellas.org.
About CFY Pinellas
CFY’s mission is to elevate the youth of Pinellas County through access to athletics and other skill-building programs where children from all backgrounds can learn, play, and grow together. This is achieved through meaningful collaborations with a variety of youth focused organizations across the county, combining efforts and resources to maximize community impact. For more information, please visit our website at www.cfypinellas.org
