As seen in The Indian River Guardian
VERO BEACH, FL (February 10, 2025) – More than 200 guests gathered at the Orchid Outreach Cocktail Party on February 2 at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club. Orchid Outreach, an organization started in 2002 to provide scholarship assistance to Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club employees and their families, first responders and their families, and Indian River County students in need, named 22 new scholarship recipients for the 2024-25 academic year, five of whom have ties to Orchid Island.
Hosted this year at the home of Orchid Island’s Gerri and Bob Ripp, the annual cocktail reception showcased delicious hors d’oeuvres and beverages prepared and served by Orchid Outreach Committee members. Special guests included Camila Wainwright of the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County along with Indian River State College representatives’ Dr. Terri Graham, Sherri Mounds, and Annabel Robertson. 11 of the 22 scholars attended.
“We are thrilled to help these deserving scholarship recipients fulfill their goals and build their future,” said Maureen Baus, chairwoman of Orchid Outreach. “The giving spirit of Orchid members is why it’s such a special place and I’m so happy to report we surpassed this year’s fundraising goal.”
Indian River State College recipients receiving full scholarships are:
Melissa Quickel Jurie Fontanilla Joanna Fontanilla Tess Paterson Krystal Escalante-Nelson Anthony Dekker Cari Dekker Parker Smith Donavyn Holiday Skyler Almand Casey Dean Jenna Simmons Laysha Magana Adrianna Larkey Hailey Holland Emma Grunzweig Matthew Macdonald Dorian Trammell Rossie Jenkins Ellen Kalogris
Orchid Outreach also awarded two partial scholarships to: Caleigh Presley, Florida State University Jasmine Delgado, University of Central Florida
Scholarships are administered on Orchid Outreach’s behalf by the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County and the Indian River State College Foundation.
The scholarships are designed to enable deserving students to further their education in a way that best helps them achieve their goals, including:
– Full-time students working toward a bachelor’s degree attending four-year institutions throughout the country
– Full-time or part-time students at Indian River State College pursuing bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas through a two-year degree, a four-year degree, or certificate programs
Since Orchid Outreach’s inception in 2002, the Orchid membership has contributed in excess of $1.4 million and 178 scholarships have been awarded to worthy, qualified high school graduates and college students.
The Orchid Outreach Committee includes Maureen Baus (Chair), Donna Bleck, Alysia Bowsher, Sylvia Brown, Pat Chartrand, Jacki Chernoff, Keena Clifford, Gerry Collins, Joan Crosby, Olivia Delacruz, Barbara Eager, Sherrerd Steele Flasinski, Anne Golensky, Judy Gow, Jan Gowski, Mary Grandy, Pat Heanue, Irene Hill, Susan Johnson, Colette Kennedy, Tracy Lamport, Ann Loeffler, Adrienne Lower, Mary Lownes, Peggy Marino, Jennifer McGreenery, Ruthie McNally, Janet Ramer, Lucy Reinhardt, Gerri Ripp, Carol St. John, Pat Scott, Laura Shucart, Grace Skrzypczak, Annamelia Smith, Jacquie Storch, Donna Thrailkill, Margaret Walsh, and Janet Younker.
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