In partnership with Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, one graduating senior from the Martin County School District will be awarded the Inaugural Superintendent Scholarship, valued at approximately $8,000.
This year, Superintendent Michael Maine surprised Jensen Beach High School senior Juan Torres with the scholarship.
Juan enrolled at Jensen Beach High School from Venezuela in February of his freshman year. He did not speak any English at the time and credits his decision to attend in-person classes when they were offered throughout the pandemic as being critical to his language acquisition.
Juan plans to attend Indian River State College and study Financial Accounting or Business. He hopes to own a business of his own one day.
In addition to his studies, Juan works 18-22 hours a week at a local store, has purchased his own car, and helps to support his family. He has maintained a 3.43 (4.59 weighted) GPA and is dual-enrolled at Indian River State College. He attributes his successes to an attitude of endurance and perseverance.
Watch a video of Juan being surprised as he received the news about the scholarship:
More about the Florida Prepaid Superintendent Scholarship:
- The Florida Prepaid Superintendent Scholarship will cover tuition and other specified fees for 60 lower-division semester credit hours at any of the 28 Florida public colleges. Although the Plan is designed to be used at a Florida College, the Plan can also be used at a State University and pro-rated accordingly. Plans can also be used at in-state, out-of-state, public, or private schools around the country; the value paid to other schools is the same as Florida Prepaid would have paid to a Florida school based on the student’s plan type. The student will have six years to use the plan.