Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida Honors Fourteen Students with Scholarship Awards
Pensacola, Fla. – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is proud to announce fourteen local students enrolled in our mentoring programs have been awarded Florida Prepaid College Foundation Path to Prosperity Scholarships powered by Florida Power & Light (FPL). This opportunity will provide critical support as these students take an important step toward higher education.
Scholarship recipients were recognized during a special ceremony last Thursday evening at Pensacola State College, where students and their families gathered to celebrate their achievements. Each student received a commemorative certificate and heard encouraging words about the opportunities these scholarships can help create. In addition to the fourteen Path to Prosperity Scholarship recipients, one student was also recognized as the recipient of a LEAP Scholarship.
These scholarships are made possible through a powerful partnership between Florida Power & Light Company, Florida Prepaid College Foundation and our Florida Big Brothers Big Sisters Association. In 2023, FPL partnered with the Foundation to contribute $4.2 million in scholarships for students from some of Florida's most underresourced communities. This initiative will ultimately provide 1,000 students with two-year scholarships over four years.
FPL's $2.1 million contribution was matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, representing the largest single investment in the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program since its launch in 2021. Supported by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the statewide initiative is focused on addressing childhood poverty by expanding access to higher education.
"FPL is honored to help support the promising futures these students have earned through hard work and determination," said J.T. Young, Vice President and General Manager of FPL's Northwest region. "Powering strong communities means investing in education and opportunity. We believe every student deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of financial circumstances, and we look forward to seeing the impact these students will make in the future."
The Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Florida Chamber Foundation worked alongside Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and other partner agencies to identify deserving students. Locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida supported high school participants throughout the application process, and fourteen students were selected to receive this opportunity. Recipients may use their scholarships at Florida's public colleges and universities, as well as technical and vocational institutions.
"Opportunities like this are truly life-changing for the young people we serve," said BBBS NWFL President and CEO, Paula Shell. "We are deeply grateful to FPL and our statewide partners for investing in our Littles and helping open doors to futures that once felt out of reach. It is incredibly powerful to see our youth recognized and supported in this way."
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida extends sincere appreciation to Florida Power & Light for its continued investment in Florida's youth and ongoing support of local mentoring programs. Congratulations to all scholarship recipients as they take this exciting next step toward their futures.