A recent photo from above of many of the members of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club.
scholarship program
Education has always been a priority of the Club that supports both the Boca Grande Child Care
Center (now the Boca Grande Preschool), The Island School and various programs at Lemon Bay
High School. Additionally, the Club’s Scholarship Program has awarded more than $2.5 million in
college scholarships to more than 250 students since its inception in 1982.
Since the inception of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club Scholarship Program, the landscape of higher
education in the United States has changed and grown exponentially. And, so too, has the Club’s
program.
Over the years the Club has adapted the Scholarship Program to: 1) Become more inclusive by
broadening the pool of potential candidates, while continuing
to address the need in the island community; 2) Develop
an increased awareness among eligible students, and build
an important relationship with Lemon Bay High School;
3) Formalize a committee of BGWC volunteers dedicated
to maintaining a comprehensive application process; and
4) Institute fi nancial plans to insure support for successful
students.
Applicants for the program must be applying for admission
to a school of higher education (including some technical programs),
demonstrate a “B” or better high school grade point
average, and be a resident of Boca Grande, the child of a resident
of Boca Grande, or the child of a parent who is currently
employed and has been employed a minimum of two years
in Boca Grande. The primary source of family income (more
than 50 percent) must come from work in Boca Grande.
In 1971 the Club began supporting higher education by
awarding two students fi nancial aid. The Club had long supported
programs related to children such as the Boy Scouts
and the Hacienda Girls Ranch but this marked the fi rst effort
to provide scholarships to students seeking a college education.
Mrs. Donald “Greenie” Hooker
58 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE January/February 2020