Isabella Serna

Extraordinary Community Service Award Winner

I am beyond honored to be selected as a 2023 Charity for Champions Scholarship recipient. With your aid I will be pursuing a bachelors of Business Management at Florida State University as well as a minor in entrepreneurship. I intend to join three different organizations that consist of hispanic and business involvement. I would like to thank Charity for Champions once again for giving me this opportunity to flourish my academics as well as gaining community participation. I cannot wait to see what comes from this journey as I am privileged to receive this support from Dr. DeSimone and Charity for Champions.

Jude Roman

Team Fellowship Award Winner

Being recognized for The Team Fellowship Award and receiving a scholarship by Dr. DeSimone’s Charity of Champions was unexpected and greatly appreciated. I will be attending Westminster College in Pennsylvania where I will play Division 3 Football while dedicating my academic efforts towards a major in Psychology. I am pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy where I will be working with the special needs youth community to help improve their independence, ease in everyday activities, and hopefully their happiness.

Being seen and celebrated after juggling academics, clubs, sports, extracurricular activities and challenging times is extremely humbling.

Thank you Dr. DeSimone.

Jacob Sims

Team Fellowship Award Winner

Receiving this scholarship means so much to me as it shows how student athletes push for not only their sport but also put in attention and work to their academics. This recognition means a lot to me as I have dealt with many injuries in past as I played baseball. I will be going to school at the University of Central Florida (UCF). I will be studying construction engineering and look forward to a bright future at UCF.

Christina Woods

Academic Achievement Award Winner

I am extremely honored and blessed to have received a scholarship from Al DeSimone’s Charity for Champions. In my upcoming endeavors, I will be pursuing my dream of playing college softball at Nova Southeastern University. I am excited to study law and receive a high quality education. While in college, I will focus on being the best version of myself and stay true to my morals. This scholarship will aid me financially and will work as a reminder of the wonderful things I can accomplish in my future. I cannot express enough gratitude and thanks for the opportunity to be awarded this scholarship.

Giana Mattis

Goodwill Scholarship Winner

Thank you so much Dr. Al DeSimone and the entirety of the Charity for Champions team! I am so beyond grateful and thankful to receive the Goodwill Scholarship. Your efforts in supporting and uplifting your community are inspiring and something I strive to do the same. This scholarship will enable me to pursue higher education this Fall where I intend to study financial economics. I hope to use the knowledge gained from university to continue to advocate for minority inclusion and bridge the wealth gap among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. This scholarship provides a significant opportunity to focus on my academics and advocacy while fully immersing myself in becoming the best student and person I can be. This recognition is not only an aid with the cost of post-secondary education but a reminder that hard work and benevolence do pay off and do not go unnoticed. Thank you again Dr. Al DeSimone and the Charity for Champions Foundation for this incredible opportunity!!!

Savanna Langley

Medical Interest Award Winner

In the fall, I will attend Clemson University with a major in Biomaterials Engineering on a Pre-med track. I am also interested in attaining a minor in business so I can start my own medical practice one day. Additionally, I hope to further enrich my love of horses by riding on the Clemson University Equestrian Team and compete all across the country. While I am looking forward to these challenging next few years, I know they will be extremely costly, which is why this recognition means a lot to me, as it relieves some of the financial burden and helps me focus more on my future.

Mason Norori

Team Fellowship Award Winner

I am very appreciative of getting this scholarship and this recognition. It will have a significant impact on my future plans. My education and future depend greatly on the scholarship that will help me pay for school. I don’t have to worry as much about money thanks to this financial assistance, so I can concentrate on my education and personal development. My motivation to succeed even more in my academic and professional goals is boosted by the fact that my hard work has been noticed.

Michael Cury

Most Improved Athlete Award Winner

The Charity for Champions scholarship and award holds great significance to me as it represents an opportunity for me to fulfill my academic dreams, but also as a recognition and validation of my hard work and dedication. I’m so grateful to Dr. DeSimone and all of the board members for selecting me out of the many applicants for this prestigious award and scholarship and for all of the support they have given me. The Charity for Champions organization truly is an amazing organization that I will keep close to my heart because of how they help inspire high school athletes to pursue their future academic interests. The scholarship I was awarded will certainly assist me in my future college endeavors at the University of Florida, where I am planning on studying and majoring in Marketing. The Charity for Champions scholarship and award will for sure fuel my motivation and inspire me to strive for excellence in all my endeavors.

Dylan Sacksteder

Artistic Achievement Award Winner

I plan to attend the University of Tennessee-Knoxville to study supply chain management at the Haslam College of Business. I will be participating in the Pride of the Southland Marching Band during my tenure at UTK. This scholarship is meaningful to me because it shows that the performing arts are recognized and not overlooked. I am grateful that my commitment to the performing arts has been rewarded and appreciated, and I hope others are inspired to have the same passion.

Zachary Marino

Personal Achievement Raider Award Winner

Thank you to Dr. DeSimone, his staff, and the Charity for Champion’s Scholarship committee. I am beyond blessed to receive this scholarship. Thanks to Dr.DeSimone and his staff, I have recovered fully from a torn ligament thigh injury, and I am currently pursuing my athletic and academic career at Florida Atlantic University. I am forever grateful to this team of doctors who got me back on the field doing what I love.