Dozens of Florida College System Students Earn Scholarship Dollars This Year

Published on: May 07, 2020

Congratulations to the Florida College System students who have earned scholarship dollars to continue their education. Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran have made education a priority in the state and are committed to the system that is recognized as #1 in the nation in higher education. These students are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the Governor, state lawmakers, college presidents, administrators and professors to provide a world class education in each Florida community.

Nine students from five Florida College System institutions have earned the nation’s prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarships. Only 50 high-achieving community college students in the nation were selected as recipients of the highly competitive scholarship providing students with up to $40,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

Hamzeh Alturk – Miami Dade College
Liz De Armas Mestre – Miami Dade College
Reinaldo Figueroa – Miami Dade College
Ivan Franco – Palm Beach State College
Daliany Gerena Guerrido – Seminole State College of Florida
Nelson Hidalgo – Miami Dade College
Kathleen McBride – Seminole State College of Florida
Alexander Moker – Daytona State College
Jennifer Tolliver – Valencia College

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation evaluates submissions based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, leadership, and service to others.

18 Florida College System students earned scholarship dollars through the 2020 All-Florida Academic Team and Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholarships.

2020 All-USA Academic Team and New Century Transfer Pathway Scholars:

Davidson Chukwuebuka Nzekwe Daniel - Broward College, South Campus

Antonio Bonaduce - Miami Dade College, Eduardo J. Padrón Campus

Based on their academic excellence, leadership and service to their community, Davidson Chukwuebuka Nzekwe Daniel and Antonio Bonaduce are two of only 20 students in the country to be selected as a member of the All-USA Academic Team and will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Nzekwe Daniel has also been named a New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive an additional $2,250 scholarship, a result of having the highest All-USA Academic Team application score in Florida.

New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar:

Sara Guibor - Miami Dade College, Medical Campus

The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship recognizes the most outstanding workforce-bound student from each state and provides them with scholarships to complete their associate degree, obtain a certification, or purchase the tools or other trade-specific items needed to enter the workforce. As a New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, Sara Guibor will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

2020 Coca-Cola Academic Team:

Nominees are selected to the Coca-Cola Academic Team based on their outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service. Gold scholars are awarded with a $1,500 scholarship, silver scholars receive a $1,250 scholarship and bronze scholars receive a $1,000 scholarship.

• Gold Scholars
  • Mary Beth Brown, Chipola College
  • Ivan Franco, Palm Beach State College
  • Kelly Maguire, Florida SouthWestern State College
  • Emily Phillips, Indian River State College
  • Caitlyn Robertson, Polk State College
  • Jennifer Tolliver, Valencia College
  • Miriam Villa, Pensacola State College
• Silver Scholars
  • Julianna Cannon, Northwest Florida State College
  • Alyssa Hardy, St. Petersburg College
  • Matthew Nguyen, Northwest Florida State College
  • Regina Stanford, Eastern Florida State College
• Bronze Scholars
  • Caleigh Balestra, Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Alexa Hernandez, Miami Dade College
  • Sean Taber, Polk State College
  • Joshua Wilson, Miami Dade College