2016 SUCCESS STORIES

Megan Sorg

Excellence Achievement Award Honorable Mention

I plan on majoring in psychology at the University of Central Florida. I want to study criminal psychology and possibly work as a profiler for the FBI some day. This scholarship means a lot to me because it proved to me and others that I can succeed in anything if I put my mind to it. I didn’t think I was going to get the scholarship because I applied relatively late and I didn’t think I was going to do well in the interview. When I found out I actually got it I was shocked and really happy. I plan on using it to help me excel academically by buying my textbooks.

Tyler Cerioni

Personal Achievement Award Winner

I want to thank Dr. DeSimone and his wife Sasha for awarding me the Charity for Champions scholarship because receiving this scholarship is truly a blessing and a great honor. I’m enrolled at Florida Atlantic University and plan to major in pre-health sciences because I aspire to become a Radiologist in the future. This scholarship means everything to me because it will help my family with funding my college education and paying for my classes. Thank you Charity for Champions for this unique and amazing scholarship.  

Gabriela Cordero

Excellence Achievement Award Honorable Mention

I am very grateful to have received the Charity for Champions Scholarship; I plan to use this gift to further my education at Florida Gulf Coast University. I am going to major in Criminal Justice, in hopes of making a difference in the world while pursuing my passion for bettering society. This scholarship means a lot to me because it shows that my education is worth investing in and I am grateful. I am eager for my future and to see what will come. Hopefully I will become a successful adult and I would like to thank Doctor DeSimone for his generous donation to my future.

Samantha Feller

Excellence Achievement Award Honorable Mention

Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity! This scholarship is so meaningful to me because it recognizes academic and athletic successes which is what my main focuses were throughout my four years in high school. Being a student-athlete is extremely challenging and stress conductive and I am absolutely honored and thrilled to be a recipient of this scholarship.

Jake Fuhrman

Athletic Achievement Award Winner

My future plans include finishing my education at the University of Florida, and receiving a degree in Finance. This scholarship means so much to me because it is special to have my athletic ability and extracurricular activities recognized in a school that contains incredible athletes and scholars.  For me to be picked out of such a talented bunch was truly an honor.

Evan Teich

Academic Achievement Award Honorable Mention

I would like to thank Dr. DeSimone and his wife for honoring me with this scholarship.  I will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall, and plan to explore several different areas of study.  This scholarship will allow me to pursue my goals and passions at my dream school.  With that being said, I will always remember Charity for Champions as an organization that allowed me the opportunity to better myself and my future.

Brendan Cassie

Athletic Achievement Award Honorable Mention

I am honored to have been selected to receive the Athletic Achievement Award Honorable Mention. As I continue my studies in the pursuit of a biology major at the University of Florida with the intention to go to medical school and pursue a career as an ophthalmologist. I am inspired by Dr. DeSimone’s achievements and his devotion to awarding future students the opportunity to achieve their goals by easing the financial strain that accompanies all students. Swimming has and continues to allow me to test myself mentally and physically and gives me the opportunity to truly see what I am capable of. Being awarded this scholarship has taken some of the financial burden off of my shoulders so that my focus can remain on my future goals. I would like to thank Dr. DeSimone and Mrs. DeSimone as well as their Charity for Champions Organization for choosing me for this scholarship.

Lauren Alvaro

Team Fellowship Award Winner

I plan to attend Florida Gulf Coast University this Fall and major in Marine Science while also obtaining minors in Climate Change and Geology. Then after obtaining a Bachelor of Science, I would like to pursue a Master’s and PhD in Marine Biology. During college, I would like to be actively involved in student activities and clubs, be active in swimming, water polo, and color guard through clubs and intramural sports, and continue to play an active role in providing service for my school, my church, and my community. I would also  like the chance to experience other cultures by studying abroad. I greatly appreciate the opportunities the Team Fellowship Award provides me and I am very honored to have been chosen for an award that values teamwork, something that I find extremely important and rewarding.

Hannah Zuccari

Personal Achievement Award Honorable Mention

Receiving the scholarship from you and your charity was such an honor. For me, playing sports in college was a possibility for a while, but my sophomore year in high school, I realized it wasn’t the path for me. After playing softball for eleven years and going through all the practices and tournaments, I am pleased that the scholarship made it well worth it. I am now at the University of Central Florida studying health sciences and then later on I plan to receive my masters to become an occupational therapist. I really appreciate being chosen as one of the students from my high school to receive the Charity for Champions Scholarship.

William Lore

Academic Achievement Award Winner

I would like to thank Dr. DeSimone and Mrs. DeSimone for their immense generosity. Their positive influence in the community has been a blessing for me and many others. I’m grateful to have received this scholarship and I’m thankful that my hard work was recognized. This scholarship will help me to pursue my academic interests at SMU where I plan on majoring in Finance. Hopefully by furthering my education I will also be able to help improve the lives of others in the future.

Kylie LoPorto

Sports Medicine Interest Award Honorable Mention

I’m pursuing a degree in Sports Medicine at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina, as well as playing for their lacrosse team. I plan on taking my experiences through sports, and my future knowledge from my classes to guide me in becoming a Physical Therapist. I don’t want to become just any Physical Therapist though, I want to make a difference in the athletic community and my own community, being the best that I can achieve, but to make this happen I will need to gain the highest degree attainable which will require a lot of schooling, past the four years of college. Through my drive and desire to succeed I know I will make it, one day helping as many athletes as I can heal and become stronger, but in order for this to happen I will have to work harder then I ever thought possible to be able to pay for all the schooling I will need. That is why I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and for someone else recognizing me, giving me that extra push that I needed to take one step closer to the future I desire. This scholarship helps take some money off our backs, and that in itself is more than I could ever thank the DeSimone’s for.  Thank you again!

Kayla Kuhns

Personal Achievement Award Honorable Mention

I am currently enrolled at Broward College, but I plan to attend Florida State in the spring. I am majoring in communications. This scholarship means a lot to me. I feel that getting this scholarship meant that all my hard work and commitment paid off. Throughout my life I have put my best foot forward and helped people the best way I could, because I always wanted to be there for someone when they needed. Being recognized as a honorable mention showed that overcoming my obstacles was an achievement that I should be proud of, and I am. I thank Dr. DeSimone and the Charity for Champions for this scholarship and the opportunity.

Gabrielle Fine

Most Improved Athlete Award Honorable Mention

I would like to thank to thank the The Al DeSimone Scholarship fund for recognizing me in one of their prestigious athlete awards. The Al DeSimone Charity for Champions Scholarship has aided me in my acclimation to college. I remember attended my first class over summer and my professor informing the class that the textbook would cost approximately 200 dollars. To any student who has just started University it is deemed implausible. I have wisely allocated to textbook and other school necessities. I am forever grateful for this award.

James Charles

Personal Achievement Award Honorable Mention

Thank you so much Charity For Champions for the wonderful blessing. I plan on increasing my work ethic in school to a high standard and with this award I am capable of achieving all goals set in front of me. I will be playing football at Florida Atlantic University and majoring in communications. This scholarship means the world to me Dr.DeSimone and knowing you have watched me grow into a young adult and a leader you’ll be glad what the future holds for me. Thank you Dr.DeSimone and God Bless.

Michaela White

Goodwill Scholarship Award Winner

Receiving the Goodwill Scholarship was a tremendous honor to round off my senior year. I genuinely would like to thank Dr. Al DeSimone along with Mrs. Alexandra DeSimone for all their hard work, commitment, and sincerity they put towards Charity for Champions and its ability to recognize commendable student athletes. Along with coaches and teachers, they are true role models to look up to when it comes to doing good in the world and the importance of giving back to your community. Currently, I am attending the University of Georgia and plan to double major in International Affairs and Journalism. I aspire to work overseas as a United States ambassador and this scholarship will be put towards my education abroad as gaining early, hands- on experience overseas is a huge goal of mine during the next four years at the University of Georgia. Thank you once again for awarding me this valuable scholarship and all you do for the local community. I will be sure to take advantage of it by reaching my fullest potential in school.