Pace Presidential Scholarship Competition
UWF welcomed several local students to the school after hosting its annual Pace Presidential Scholarship Competition. The competition awards top Florida-resident incoming freshman who show potential as future leaders with the Pace Presidential Scholarship, which is offered in conjunction with Florida Bright Futures and covers on-campus room and board, tuition, an $800 book stipend and a research or study-abroad experience. These awards total more than $50,000.
The six students who were awarded the scholarship are:
- Hayden “Cham” Swift, a biomedical sciences major from Navarre High School.
- Kellen Gibson, a general business major from Navarre who was homeschooled.
- Lilia Treick, a pre-BSN major from Tate High School.
- Mariah Earnhardt, a biology major from West Florida High School.
- John Savini, a software development major from Choctaw High School.
- Kaitlyn Izworski, a music and outside field major from Gulf Breeze High School.
Argo Spirit Scholarship
UWF also awarded its Argo Spirit Scholarship, a full-ride competitive scholarship established by the university in 2019 and awarded to first-time-in-college freshmen who have shown strength of character, or “Argo Spirit.” This means the students have overcome obstacles, fought for something important or made an impact while in high school. The five recipients of the Argo Spirit Scholarship are:
- Angel Henry, a marine biology major from Bishop Kenny High School.
- Tarrance “TJ” Joyner, a communications major from Freeport High School.
- Angelina “Verne” Semprevivo, a psychology major from Lemon Bay High School.
- Ameera Spence, a political science major from Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts.
- Ava Blocker, an undeclared major from Florala High School.
National Merit Finalists
Finally, UWF also welcomed two National Merit Finalists this semester. The university has welcomed 18 of these students since 2018. The recipients were John David McCroy, a biochemistry major from Lafayette, Louisiana and Collin McDonald, an electrical engineering major from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.
Both students were thrilled, honored and grateful for the awards they have been given and the opportunity to become Argos, especially when it came to not having to worry about their expenses while they focus on their schooling. Like recipients of the Pace Presidential Scholarship, the National Merit Finalists are offered scholarships totaling over $50,000 which includes full tuition, room and board, an $800-per-semester book stipend and a research or study-abroad experience.
