Youth Scholarships
Three extraordinary graduating seniors of Clearwater High School will receive $2000 scholarships to continue their educations:
• Desiree Ricca – (GPA 3.85) Desi’s mother was diagnosed with cancer when she was seven. She went through many bouts of treatment-remission-return. Eventually she passed away during Desi’s sophomore year. Desi had a hard time coping with the tragedy but has focused on her school work. Fast forward to today, she is the only one who is supporting her family (father and older brother) through work, at Sweetbay and government support. When she graduates she will lose her government funding. Desi hopes to become a neo-natal nurse.
• Michael Flowers – (GPA 4.8) Mike is this year’s CHS Valedictorian. Unfortunately his accomplishments have been overshadowed by his brother’s battle with drug addiction. His family struggles. They receive donated food and other assistance. Mike is a very talented piano player. He cannot afford lessons so his tutor graciously gives them for free. Mike currently volunteers at Hospice and hopes to be a medical doctor in the future.
• Elizabeth O’Brien – (GPA 4.3) When Ellie was two her mom left the family. Dad has raised her along with 4 siblings by himself. Her dad had to close the Domino’s pizzeria that he ran. Her brother was excited to get accepted into the military. However he was honorably discharged due to an eye condition. Recently Ellie was dropping friends off after track practice and a woman rear-ended her. Her car was totaled. Unfortunately she had to use the settlement money help her family pay over due bills. So she was left without a car. Ellie is going to Florida Career College to become a Physical Therapist.
Clearwater High School
Since
1998, the Rotary Club of Clearwater has offered an unusual scholarship
program for selected seniors at Clearwater High School. Each year,
three seniors receive $1,000 scholarships for continuing post-secondary
education costs. Individual Rotarians have also elected to "join"
this scholarship program and offer additional scholarships.
Rather than select youth based solely upon need
or academic excellence, the scholarships are granted to youth who have
demonstrated exceptional character and resilience-who have succeeded
"despite the odds" in 
difficult home, health or other circumstances.
One historical winner had been in nearly 40 different schools in an
unstable and itinerant family prior to moving in with a stable friend's
family-and finishing high school with high honors. Another cited childhood
friends who were all currently involved with drugs, gangs and teenage
pregnancy, while she was on her way to Florida State University.