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Osceola County School Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace awards a scholarship in her name to county scholar Libby Thornton at Wednesday’s Education Foundation Scholarship Awards ceremony. FILE PHOTO
Submitted by the Education Foundation Osceola County — The Education Foundation Osceola County’s Scholarship Program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. It’s gala awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at Osceola Heritage Park.
The Foundation will be awarding a record amount of 500 scholarships to Osceola County seniors.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of our esteemed Scholarship Program, it is a momentous occasion to reflect on the profound impact it has had on countless lives throughout the years. Since its establishment, the Scholarship Program has been a beacon of hope, providing deserving individuals with the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations and transform their futures.
The Education Foundation was founded in 1985 by Tommy Tompkins with a goal of supporting and enhancing public education in Osceola County. At its inception, the Foundation's primary objective was to ensure that every graduating senior in Osceola County received guaranteed tuition coverage for their first year of college.
In 1994, Ken Smith became the first employee and president of the Education Foundation with the specific mission to raise scholarship funds. Tommy and Ken were instrumental in raising the first $1 million that enabled the organization to establish an endowment that would expand scholarship opportunities for seniors in Osceola County. This marked the inception of what would become the cornerstone of the Education Foundation: The Scholarship Program. The program was designed to provide invaluable financial assistance to deserving students pursuing higher education.
November 1994 marked the first year the Education Foundation proudly hosted the first Scholarship for Kids Golf Classic, which raised funds to directly support scholarships. In 2012, the tournament was renamed after the late Larry Godwin to honor his years of service and support. After 30 years of unwavering support and dedication, the tournament has grown to become a highly anticipated annual tradition and is widely regarded as the premier charitable golf event in Osceola County. Today, the annual Larry Godwin Scholarship for Kids Golf Classic generates over $100,000 each year, directly benefiting the Scholarship Program.
In alignment with the Scholarship Program, the Board of Directors made the decision to extend free scholarship management services to organizations in our community. The Education Foundation can help a donor establish a cash or endowment scholarship program, create criteria, as well as assist in finding the perfect recipient. Today, we are proud to collaborate with over 100 families and community partners, as well as manage 30 endowments.
Since its establishment, the Education Foundation’s Scholarship Program has granted 6,642 scholarships to students — over $11 million in scholarship funds. Looking ahead, the Education Foundation is excited to build upon the legacy of our Scholarship Program and continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of future generations. Embarking on the next chapter of the journey, the Foundation remains committed to expanding access to education, fostering excellence, and empowering individuals to reach new heights of achievement.
The Education Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors, community partners, donors, and volunteers who contribute to the success of the Scholarship Program every year. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our community by investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
