TOWN RALLIES WITH $1 MILLION IN AWARDS FOR MHS GRADS

It’s a long ceremony, but worth it. On May 25, Marathon High School seniors received $1,000,163 in scholarships and awards. The bulk of it is awarded via Bright Future scholarships, a statewide merit program, and Take Stock in Children scholarships for students from low-income families. 

Five MHS students received the Medallion Bright Future Scholarship worth $19,000 or 75% of tuition, and five qualified for the Academic Bright Future scholarship worth $25,000 or 100% of tuition at state universities and colleges. Ten MHS students received the Take Stock in Children award for full academics, and six of those students also received housing support. 

Fifteen students received cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude designations for grade point averages ranging from 4.0 and up. The valedictorian is Katia Nikiforova and the title of salutatorian will be shared by twins Jonathan and Owen Pitchford.

“All three of them achieved higher grade point averages than previous salutatorian and valedictorian, not an easy thing to do during the pandemic,” said MHS principal Wendy McPherson.

Most of the scholarships range from $250 to $1,000 each with some of the larger ones as recurring annual awards spread over four years up to $10,000. Maria’s Hope and Prosperity foundation handed out 17 brand new, in the box, laptop computers. Here is a list of the other honors awarded to students. 

• U.S. Marine Corps: Kevin Mercado.
• Martine Vegue Athletic Award: Jonathan Pitchford
• Florida High School Athletic Association: Owen Pitchford and Katia Nikiforova.
• Senior Scholar Athlete Scholarship: Owen Pitchford, Jonathan Pitchford and Katia Nikiforova.
• Spirit of the Community: Reef Holdinga.
• Daughters of the American Revolution: Rachel Matthis.
• Florida Keys Gator Club: Mary Ryder.
• Take Stock in Children: Erick Clark Alvarez, Dailianys Gonzalez, Edian Hernandez, Isabella Kingsley, Anne Kreshpane, Jilliana McGuire, Samantha Roiz, Yilena Roque Ramos, Kelly Salazar and Shahed Shuvo.
• Zonta Club of Marathon Senior Scholarship: Katia Nikiforova.
• Zonta Club Women in Public Affairs Scholarship: Sara Gonzalez, Mary Ryder, Rachel Matthis, Allison Paskiewicz, Isabella Pis and Paige Richard. 
• Zonta Club Youth Scholarship: Yilena Roque Ramos.
• Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen: Haley Buxton, Allison Paskiewicz and Sarah Paskiewicz.
• Middle Keys Marine Association: Marisol Chavala, Allison Paskiewicz and Edian Hernandez.
• Marathon Chamber of Commerce: Rachel Matthis, Erick Clark Alvarez, Jonathan Pitchford, Marisol Chavala and Mary Ryder.
• Marathon Moose: Matthew Kratzert, Sara Gonzalez, Erick Clark Alvarez, Paige Richard.
• Palmerino D’Ascanio Memorial Scholarship: Marisol Chavala and Edian Hernandez.
• Guides Trust Foundation Scholarship: Allison Paskiewicz.
• Florida Keys Community College Board of Trustees: Marisol Chavala and Paige Richard.
• Marathon Alumni Athletic Club Scholarship: Cecily Ozbun, Jonathan Pitchford, Sarah Paskiewicz, Haley Buxton and Allison Paskiewicz.
• Marathon Rotary Club Scholarship: Mary Ryder, Paige Richard, Jonathan Pitchford, Sarah Paskiewicz, Allison Paskiewicz, Cecily Ozbun, Katia Nikiforova, Rachel Matthis, Alliyah Matie-Adams, Anthony Machado, Isabella Kingsley, Reef Holdinga, Mitchell Grant, Sara Gonzalez, Taylor Dieguez, Patrick Daniher, Marisol Chavala, Johnny Bonachea and Erick Clark Alvarez.
• Florida Keys Contractors Association: Erick Clark Alvarez.
• American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship: Katia Nikiforova and Isabella Kingsley.
• Sons of American Legion Scholarship: Mary Ryder, Alliyah Matie-Adams and Mary Ryder. 
• American Legion Riders Scholarship: Erick Clark Alvarez.
• Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors Scholarship: Jonathan Pitchford, Katia Nikiforova and Sara Gonzalez.
• Ocean Reef Conservation Association: Allison Paskiewicz.
• Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust: Allison Paskiewicz.
• Marathon Yacht Club: Erick Clark Alvarez, Sara Gonzalez and Mary Ryder.
• Marathon Yacht Club Educational Foundation: Mary Ryder, Marisol Chavala and Patrick Daniher.
• United Teachers of Monroe Scholarship: Khendra Stanton and Paige Richard.
• Reef Rider Motorcycle Club Scholarship: Edian Hernandez.
• St. Columba Episcopal Peace Scholarship: Sara Gonzalez.
• St. Columba Episcopal Celtic Festival Scholarship: Sara Gonzalez.
• Opportunity Knocks Scholarship: Sara Gonzalez, Isabella Kingsley, Jennifer Nieda, Mary Ryder, Sarah Paskiewicz, Jonathan Pitchford, Patrick Daniher and Johnny Bonachea. 
• Island Community Church: Sara Gonzalez, Anthony Machado, Katia Nikiforova and Mary Ryder.
• Florida Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America: Sara Gonzalez.
• Marathon Chapter of Organized Fishermen of Florida: Haley Buxton, Patrick Daniher, Allison Paskiewicz and Sarah Paskiewicz.
• Marathon Elks Lodge Scholarship: Erick Clark Alvarez, Matthew Kratzert, Rachel Matthis, Patrick Daniher, Katia Nikiforova, Mary Ryder, Cecily Ozbun and Jonathan Pitchford.
• Pay it Forward Scholarship: Allison Paskiewicz, Anthony Machado, Samantha Roiz, Mary Ryder, Patrick Daniher, Isabella Kingsley, Katia Nikiforova, Jonathan Pitchford and Sara Gonzalez.
• Gina Lavay Frederick Scholarship: Sara Gonzalez.
• Coldwell Banker Schmitt Charitable Scholarship: Erick Clark Alvarez, Mary Ryder and Katia Nikiforova .
• Centennial Bank: Jonathan Pitchford. 
• Marathon Business and Professional Women Stacie Kidwell Memorial Scholarship: Marisol Chavala, Sara Gonzalez, Reef Holdinga, Rachel Matthis, Katia Nikiforova, Cecily Ozbun, Allison Paskiewicz, Paige Richard, Mary Ryder and Khendra Stanton.
• Marathon Garden Club: Reef Holdinga.
• Marc Davis Memorial Scholarship: Isabella Kingsley.
• Marathon Masonic Lodge and Shriners: Erick Clark Alvarez, Mary Ryder, Sara Gonzalez and Cecily Ozbun. 
• Tom E. Nichols Scholarship: Sara Gonzalez, Mary Ryder and Taylor Dieguez.
• Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West: Rachel Matthis.
• Maria’s Hope and Prosperity: Nikolas Bonilla, Enoc Campos, Carley Childress, Jayden Cruz, Isabella Fryza, Edian Hernandez, Nadia Hull, Isabella Kingsley, Leslie Martinez, Jilliana McGuire, Jennifer Nieda, Isabella Pis, Samantha Roiz, Yilena Roque Ramos, Flora Sanchez, Katie Wuerth and Dylan Schirling.