Island Community Church recently announced the awarding of $50,000 in college scholarships to deserving students in the Middle and Upper Keys. The scholarships are funded by proceeds of the 2024 Island Boat Show.
During recent graduation events, two seniors from Marathon High School and 12 from Coral Shores High School were announced as recipients of the Island Community Church Scholarship. In addition, 19 returning college students were awarded scholarships. The awards, ranging from $500 to $4,000, will assist students in their pursuit of a college education in the upcoming academic year. Recipients are invited to apply for scholarships again next year.
This is the fifth scholarship program funded by the Island Boat Show. With more than 130 boats, exhibitor booths, a silent auction and two raffles, the 2024 event at the Island Community Church North campus was the ninth and most successful show ever.
“One of the many blessings of the boat show is how the community comes together to support it. This year students from Coral Shores along with several community members joined more than 70 Island Community Church volunteers in staffing the show,” said Pastor Trevor Mann. “The event, which raised over $130,000, was a huge financial success. We are using those funds to support our local and global missions and ministries and local scholarships.”
To qualify for the scholarship, the applicants completed a comprehensive application and took part in a virtual interview with the scholarship review team.
“The interview is my favorite part of the process,” said Tony Hammon, Island Community Church pastor emeritus and review team member. “We get a glimpse into the heart and mind of each of them. They are all so bright and engaging. I look forward to seeing where this next chapter in their life takes them.”
The church intends to offer the scholarships again in 2025 and will use the 2025 Island Boat Show, scheduled for Jan. 24-26, 2025, as the primary source of funding. The 2025 show will mark the 10th anniversary of the Island Boat Show. Plans are already in place to make it the biggest and best Island Boat Show yet.Island Community Church offers a worship service at 10 a.m. every Sunday morning. You can join in-person at 83250 Overseas Highway or online (Facebook or YouTube). More information is at www.islandcommunitychurch.org. More information about the Island Boat Show is at www.islandboatshow.com.
