Featured Story

Orlando Magic scholarships awarded to 3 students

Thursday, May 10, 2012
Loraine O'Connell

From left: Seminole State College President Dr. E. Ann McGee, Magic mascot STUFF, Courtney Wright and Betsey Bell, Orlando Magic assistant director of philanthropy. Behind them is Magic Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw.

In surprise presentations at their high schools on Monday, April 30, Oviedo High School student Courtney Wright, Seminole High School student Jesimar Matos and Edgewater High School student David Mercedes were awarded full scholarships to Seminole State College of Florida through the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF).

Magic Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw, Magic mascot STUFF and the Magic’s scholarship committee traveled to each winner’s high school to surprise the students with news of their scholarships. The scholarships are made possible through the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund.

Each student received a two-year scholarship of $6,000.

The students had to be graduating seniors who plan to seek degrees at Seminole State College in the fall. They also had to meet academic and financial-need criteria. In addition, students needed to present two letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay about the most influential event in their lives.

Courtney Wright plans to study biology at Seminole State on her way to becoming a surgeon. Jesimar Matos wants to become a doctor, and David Mercedes will study finance, working toward an eventual M.B.A.

The OMYF is also partnering with Seminole State to create the Molding Another Generation in College (MAGIC) Fund. In January, the College received a $75,000 grant to create the program, which will provide support programs designed to help first-generation students graduate.

About the Foundation for Seminole State College: The Foundation for Seminole State is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation dedicated to enhancing Seminole State College's programs and services through the development and management of private contributions, public grants and community partnerships. Members of the board of directors contribute their management and leadership skills without compensation to support these initiatives. For more information, visit the Foundation home page.

Photo credit: Gary Bassing