PirateQ 
College awarded $24,755 from Florida Blue, the Helios Foundation, Bank of America
Christmas arrived a little early for 13 Pensacola State College students after they recently were awarded scholarships.
The awards were a portion of $24,755 in scholarship funds that Pensacola State received from Florida Blue, the Helios Education Foundation and Bank of America’s Dream Maker program. Pensacola State’s award was part of more than $893,000 in scholarship funds the three entities contributed to the 28 institutions that make up the Florida College System.
Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega presented the funds to Pensacola State President Ed Meadows during a ceremony held Friday, Sept. 30.
“This is another red-letter day for our outstanding students. These scholarship funds will go a long way in helping them complete their degree and program requirements,” Meadows said. “Many of our students work one or more jobs to help pay tuition. These scholarship dollars will help lighten that financial burden and help them focus on their coursework.”
Jerson Armulla, a radiology program student who moved from the Philippines at age 12, agreed with the president.
“Wow, this scholarship will be a tremendous help to me,” said the 25-year-old Pensacola resident. “I’ll use the money to pay for books, uniforms and other educational expenses. I would have been forced to get a student loan had it not been for this scholarship. I am so thankful.”
Pumariega congratulated the scholarship recipients, and added she was a product of the Florida College System – a student-athlete at Miami Dade College.
“I can identify with first-generation students, I am one of you,” said Pumariega, the state’s first female and first Hispanic Florida College System chancellor. “After high school, my mother wouldn’t allow me to leave home. She said I was going to that ‘small college down the street’ – Miami Dade College.”
Along with Armulla, other Pensacola State nursing and allied health students receiving a portion of $13,412 donated by Florida Blue include:
- Raoul Cephas-Dennis, nursing
- Jennifer Havener, dental hygiene
- Autumn Literral, sonography
- Pantelis Peterson, nursing
- Ashley Reasner, physical therapy assistant
- Sara Richards, health information technology
- Heather Wallis, health services management
The Helios Education Foundation contributed $6,216, and Bank of America gave $5,127 for First Generation (in college) scholarships to:
- Katrina Gould, culinary management
- Mindy Cramlet, graphic design
- Kathryn Baggett, nursing
- Michelle Mullins, Registered Nursing Career Mobility program
- Anastasia Cobb, nursing