On Wednesday, April 19 the Poinciana Council of The Osceola Chamber celebrated four amazing high school seniors and presented them with $1000 scholarships at the PC’s Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon at Poinciana High School.

The event began with lunch catered by the Poinciana High School Culinary Arts students under the instruction of Chef Juan Alamo. Attendees were served in the students’ classroom, complete with views of their kitchen studio. These students learn all aspects of planning, preparing, and serving their meals, and they could not have been greater hosts. They offered an Italian-inspired menu of bruscheta and caponata for an appetizer, followed by a rolled lasagna for the main course, and a dessert of lemon polenta cake.

Each year the Poinciana Council Board of Directors solicit applications from eligible graduating seniors that live within zip code 34758, 34759, or 34746. Thanks to an Osceola County Community Betterment Grant from District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington, the Council was able to match their collected funds and offer the $1000 scholarship to a total of four students.

After an application review process, the Poinciana Council board chose four remarkable students with diverse interests and life goals from three different Osceola County School District schools. The decision was based on extra curricular and volunteer activity, recommendation from the students’ teachers and advisors, and, most importantly, the student’s essay response to the question “Explain your educational goals and future career path. How will achieving your goals impact your community?”

Amina Ahmed, a Poinciana High School student, will pursue an MBA in Healthcare Administration. Tianna Daley from Liberty High School plans to pursue a career as a phlebotomist before ultimately becoming a pediatrician. Gian Molina-Torres, also a student at Liberty, will study computer science at UCF in the fall and looks forward to the various career opportunities that training could lead to. Esther Hilaire, who attends the Professional and Technical High School, was inspired to pursue a career as an OBGYN to improve high rates of complications and death experienced by Black women in childbirth.

Our keynote speakers for this year’s luncheon were Commissioner Arrington and Valencia College Poinciana Campus Executive Dean Dr. Mike Bosley, who both encouraged the students to enjoy their last days of high school and savor the journey to their next phase of life.

The annual scholarship awards could not be possible with sponsorships and community support. This year’s event was sponsored by Osceola Community Health Services, Valencia College, and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Poinciana High School continues to support and celebrate this event year after year, and the Poinciana Council’s impact is heightened by the generous Community Betterment Grant program and Commissioner Arrington.

If you would like to support this event or assist the Poinciana Council Board with their other education- and future-focused programs in the Poinciana area, reach out to us at cpilkington@theosceolachamber.com. See more images from the event in the gallery below.