Envision Credit Union delivered a $175,000 check to the Best and Brightest scholarship awards program Wednesday.
Now in its eighth year, the Best and Brightest awards recognize academic achievement and community service among high school students. Leon County Assistant Superintendent Barbara Wills said the program gives more students the opportunity to shine.
“I think the best thing about this program is that it recognizes students who excel in areas that weren’t recognized before we did this.” Wills said.
Students apply in one of 15 categories ranging from the Arts, Athletics, and Drama to Leadership, and Mathematics. Award winners from each category and school receive $100 scholarships, with the top three county wide in each category earning up to $1,500 in scholarships. Laura Rogers, Best and Brightest program coordinator, said the students’ reaction is worth every penny.
“They hear their name and some of them have jumped out of their seat, come barreling through grabbing their principal and giving them a big hug, and coming up to the stage, so excited, that’s the best.” Rogers said.
Along with GPA, and interviews, the Best and Brightest Awards place a high importance on community service. Envision CEO Darryl Worrell said the program benefits more than just students.
“Take those students, have them focus at an early age on community service, what ever community they decide to live in and develop their family in, that’s gonna be a stronger community, whether its Tallahassee, Atlanta, Miami, anywhere” Worrell said.
Since 2006 the Best and Brightest awards has recognized 900 students in the Tallahassee area, with over 300 thousand dollars awarded. Envision and several Leon County businesses sponsor the awards. The program puts no restrictions on the prizes, so students are free to buy laptops, tuition, or books when they graduate. Applications for next year’s awards are due February, and the winners will be announced in May.
