2020 SUCCESS STORIES
Jonanine Williams
Personal Achievement Award Honorable Mention I deeply appreciate the $500 scholarship I was awarded. This scholarship will assist in relieving some of the financial burden of attending The University of Florida. In addition, and more importantly, this scholarship is a reflection of my hard work. The countless hours of studying and long nights of practices did not go unnoticed and I am grateful for being recognized. I am looking forward to my journey at the University of Florida where I will study finance, and pursue a career as a financial analyst.
Chelsea Spinder
Extraordinary Community Service Award
My future plans are to attend Florida State University in the fall and major in athletic training. After my undergraduate studies, I plan to attend PA school where I hope to become a pediatric orthopedist PA. After shadowing many times in Dr. D’s office, this scholarship became very special to me. It was in that office that I was able to really decide and see what I wanted to be doing in my future.
Sophia Pieschacon
Personal Achievement Award
Thank you for considering me and awarding me much appreciated scholarship money. The fact I was selected, is a moment of pride for me as a student and a Latina. The scholarship I was awarded will help me afford to attend school and will help ease the strain on my Mom and siblings. I thought you may like to know that my Mom was so proud of me when we shared a special moment reading the email. It’s moments like this that reinforce to me that one day I will be able to help others reach their dreams and goals.
Krystina Masihy
Artistic Achievement Award
I am beyond grateful to have received the Artistic Achievement award. Both athletics and the arts have been an integral part of my life and I am honored to be recognized for both. In the Fall, I am attending the University of Florida where I plan to pursue a degree in Pre Professional Biology. This scholarship will help me in my pursuit for my bachelor’s degree, allowing me to take the first step towards my goal of becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. I would like to thank Dr. and Mrs. DeSimone and the entire Charity for Champions organization for this opportunity and for their support of student athletes like me.
Briana Eyzaguirre
Extraordinary Community Service Award
I am so grateful and honored to have been chosen for the Al DeSimone’s Charity for Champions: Extraordinary Community Service Award. Throughout my high school career I was able to earn 700 service hours, hold officer positions in multiple honor societies, take part in my schools athletics and nationally ranked band program, while having a rigorous schedule. This scholarship will be able to assist me as I attend the University of Florida majoring in Microbiology and Cell science on a Pre-Med track. From there I am hoping to get my doctorate and work or do research in the STEM field.
Catalina Llanos
Most Improved Athlete Award
I am very grateful and humbled to have been chosen for this amazing scholarship. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work together with such amazing people to help me get to where I am now. I could not have achieved what I have without them. Having this recognition showed me that being a champion is not only what you accomplish on the field or in a classroom, but what you do each and everyday outside of that to make a difference to those around you. I will be attending the University of Mississippi in the fall where I will be majoring in Biological Sciences to hopefully pursue a study in oceanography and marine science research. I will continue to show leadership in everything I do in college and beyond.
Brooke Baron
Extraordinary Community Service Award
I would just like to give a big thank you to Dr. DeSimone and the entire organization for awarding me with the Extraordinary Community Service Award Scholarship. I plan to attend the University of Central Florida and pursue a degree in Communication of Sciences and Disorders. I hope to become a speech pathologist in the future. I plan to stay active in college by joining clubs and volunteering my time in the UCF community. I am truly honored to receive this award, and will represent this scholarship with pride. Thank you again for selecting me for the 2020 Charity for Champions Award!
Sawyer Feller
Team Fellowship Award
I will be attending Harvard University in the fall of 2021. I will be playing baseball at Harvard and hope to continue my career after college. I plan to major in statistics and econometrics. I’m so grateful to receive the team fellowship award after spending four years working hard to be a great teammate and person. I plan to bring the same mentality and values that helped me receive this award to college. I want to thank Charity For Champions for giving me this award which will make a big difference for me at college. I’m happy that I have been able to meet many new people in this organization and be recognized as a contribution to my teammates.
Madison Granberry
Medical Interest Award
I am so honored to receive the Charity for Champions Medical Interest Award. I would like to thank Dr. DeSimone for recognizing my dedication, passion, and perseverance over the last four years. This generous scholarship will allow me to continue following my passions and furthering my academic career. Throughout high school I found a deep passion for science and service, both of which will play an active role as I pursue a career in the medical field. This fall I will be attending Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee where I plan to major in Biology and minor in Health Equity. In the future, I hope to attend medical school and one day become a pediatric oncologist. While at Rhodes, I will also be continuing my love of the game as a member of the varsity softball team. Once again, thank you to Dr. DeSimone and the Charity for Champions team for recognizing students’ outstanding accomplishments and supporting us as we enter the next chapter of our lives.
Ashley Boone
Personal Achievement Award
I would like to first begin this email by saying thank you. Thank you for taking the time to create an opportunity for students to be recognized and honored. Secondly, this scholarship is going to be extremely helpful in allowing me to pursue an academic and future career in the medical field. I will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall of 2020 to begin my path on becoming a Physicians Assistant. Thank you for all you do and for this amazing opportunity!
Patrick Scanlon
Artistic Achievement Award
I will be majoring in Communications at Villanova University. This scholarship and recognition has meant a lot to me. Hard work really does pay off, and helping my parents pay for my college education really makes you feel that way. I can’t thank Charity for Champions enough for this recognition and scholarship, and I can’t wait to continue my education.
Samantha Rhiengold
Academic Achievement Award Honorable Mention
I will be attending my dream school of the University of Florida in August. My future plans are to get a psychology degree and further my education by getting a graduate degree in psychology. My goal is to become a sports psychologist. This award will help me make my career dreams come true. My passion for soccer throughout my youth has allowed me the honor of this Charity of Champions Award. I am grateful for this and thank you for being a part of allowing my academic and career dreams to come true.
Kylie Hazen
Team Fellowship Award
I’m so thankful to receive this scholarship and for Charity for Champions! It’s been an honor to be represented for the Team fellowship award and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I’ve received! As I begin school at Georgetown University I plan to keep the same attitude and work ethic that I was rewarded while continuing my college education and athletics. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity!
Mauricio Fortune Panizo
Extraordinary Community Service Award Honorable Mention
In the future my dream is to be able to get into cyber security. I am studying Computer Science in college in order to fulfill this dream of mine. I would love to own or be a part of a company whose goal and motive is safety in a world of negativity and corruption. This scholarship recognition gives me hope. It proves to me that I am good enough and it ignites a fire within me to continue working hard towards my goals I dream of achieving. When I was younger I was constantly overlooked and told I was not good enough. This made me work even harder to get opportunities that other people got so easily. Finally, my work is starting to pay off, but this is just the beginning. I will continue working until my dreams become my reality!
Sandy Denis
Medical Interest Award Honorable Mention
Thank you so much for this award. My family and I are truly appreciative of this blessing! May all that had help to give this award to me be blessed with kindness and happiness! Thank you once again.
Katie De Los Rios
Most Improved Athlete Award
Thank you for choosing me for the Most Improved Athlete Award. To be recognized for the hard work a student puts in for 4 years means a lot. As a student that has so many goals; Graduating college and going into Law school for real estate law, having my own real estate company, and making my visions come to life with my shoe business. Money has always been an issue. However, with this opportunity It will allow me to pay a portion for what I need to be able to graduate and make all that come true. 2020 has been a struggle, but I have found a way to keep myself busy. At the age of 18, I have passed my real estate license test with a score of 98%, I am soon opening a shoe business called, “Le Feu Monte” that is now under construction to open in August. As well, as starting my bachelors degree. I couldn’t be happier and more proud of the women I am becoming. Thank you once again for giving me this recognition.
Brandon Ortiz
Team Fellowship Award
With my years of experience and passion in sports, academics, and personal relationships, I am excited to pursue an Associates degree in Business Administration at Santa Fe College. I plan on graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s s in Sports Management. I am eternally grateful for being honored with the Dr. DeSimone Fellowship Award. I am so thankful to the DeSimone Family for making this possible and for recognizing my potential on and off the field.
Sarah Kaufman
Personal Achievement Award
I am a first year student at Yale University and majoring in Political Science. I hope to work for the government one day and serve my country through public service. Additionally, I have joined the Yale Club Lacrosse Team which will allow me to continue my passion for the game. Thank you to Charity for Champions for providing me an opportunity to continue my studies. I really appreciate all of the support they give to students across Broward County.
