Beginning in 1986, the Gulf Breeze Rotary Club began awarding financial scholarships to deserving Gulf Breeze High School seniors to assist in furthering their formal education.  These awards began as small scholarships for assistance in helping alieve some of the expenses of college tuition, but over the years they have evolved into amounts that enable tuition to be paid in full at some colleges, or provide other financial assistance in the form of room and board. 

Since 1986 the Gulf Breeze Rotary club has awarded scholarships to 195 students totaling $805,000. Each year deserving students are awarded scholarships based on funds raised by the annual Gumbo Cook-Off fundraising event.  Recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, essay review, financial need, leadership, and community involvement. 

2021 Scholarship Committee

The scholarship committee is lead by the Gulf Breeze Scholarship Director, Carey King. 
For information, contact your high school counselor or email the committee at [email protected]
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2020 Scholarship Recipients

Josie Baltz​ 
  • Weighted GPA: 4.77
  • Ranked 27 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (94th percentile)
  • Track Team, HOSA and Medical Academy, Honor Societies (NEHS, SNHS, NHS, Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta), AP Scholar, Dolphin Determination Award
  • St. Ann Youth Leadership Team, Volunteered at Gulf Breeze Hospital, 
  • Attending Florida State University to study Mechanical Engineering (Physics and Astrophysics) 

Clayton Bush
  • Weighted GPA: 4.80
  • Ranked 23 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (95th percentile)
  • AP Scholar with Distinction, President of National English Honor Society, HOSA Junior Class President, VP Of She’s the First, Key Club, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, Latin Club, Latin Honor Society
  • 1st Place – HOSA Regional Competition in Parliamentary Procedures, 2nd Place – HOSA Bowl in HOSA Regional Competition
  • Kids Unlimited Summer Camp, Teen Board of Directors for Santa Rosa Kids’ House
  • Attending University of Florida to study Biology

Anthony Dawson
  • Weighted GPA: 3.40
  • Ranked 291 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (37th percentile)
  • GBHS Basketball Team, Varsity Letterman (2 years), A Honor Roll 
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Business Management / Sports Management

John Cole Hollifield
  • Weighted GPA: 4.54
  • Ranked 67 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (85th percentile)
  • National Honor Society, Gulf Breeze Honor Society, GBHS Baseball Team
  • Volunteered at Gulf Breeze Rec Center Summer Camp, Sacred Heart Hospital, Dolphin Baseball Camp; Owner/Operator Cole’s Lawn Care and Landscaping
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Accounting and Finance

Eve Knight
  • Weighted GPA: 4.34
  • Ranked 108 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (76th percentile)
  • Robinson Honors Program (PSC), GBHS Varsity Swim Team, GBHS Latin Club, GBHS ASL Club, 
  • Volunteer at Oriole Beach Elementary, Taste of the Beach, “Start Up Weekend” (Greater Chamber of Commerce)
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Psychology

Allison Linkous
  • Weighted GPA: 4.80
  • Ranked 23 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (95th percentile)
  • GBHS Varsity Swim Team, Academic Award of Excellence (GBHS Swim Team), NEHS, SNHS, NHS, HOSA, Dive Club, Marine Biology Club, American Sign Language Club
  • Girl Scout Troop 417, Silver and Bronze award from Girl Scouts, Outstanding Spokesperson for Freedom via Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Biomedical Sciences

Sarafina Mowe
  • Weighted GPA: 4.70
  • Ranked 44 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (90th percentile)
  • GBHS Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Tri-M Music Honors Society (VP), Marine Science Club, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Latin Honor Society, Latin Club, GBHS Varsity Track Team, 
  • Volunteer at St Ann’s Catholic Church, Manna Food Drive, GB Gumbo Festival 
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Marine Biology

Matthew Rodgerson
  • Weighted GPA: 4.77
  • Ranked 21 of 457 graduating Seniors at GBHS (95th percentile)
  • FCA Go the Distance Award (swimming), Health Occupation Students of America Biomedical Debate (first place regional level, top ten state level), Mock Trial, AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Capstone Diploma
  • Volunteer at Gulf Breeze Hospital, Talents of the Breeze, Peer Tutor, Relay for Life, Cram the Van, Ocean Hour Beach Cleanups
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Biochemistry with a Pre-Physician Focus

Caleb Sampson
  • Weighted GPA: 4.24
  • Ranked 126 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (73rd percentile)
  • Cadet Major & Support Squadron Commander JROTC, GBHS School Mascot, Life Scout
  • Volunteer at Gulf Breeze Presbyterian Church, Mission Trips, Salvation Army
  • Attending University of West Florida to study Nursing

Lizabeth Wilson
  • Weighted GPA: 4.06
  • Ranked 154 of 469 graduating Seniors at GBHS (67th percentile)
  • GBHS Varsity Golf Team (Captain), GBHS Varsity Tennis Team (Captain), GBHS Lead Anchor, Honorable Mention Florida Scholastic Press Association for suicide prevention, English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, Peer Helpers
  • Volunteer with USTA, Good Deeds Club, Dance Marathon, First Tee, GB Methodist VBS
  • Attending University of Central Florida to study Industrial Engineering

2019 Scholarship Recipients

Sarah Davis 
  • Weighted 4.77 GPA; ranked 19th of 424 graduating Seniors at GBHS (95th percentile)
  • Optimist Club, National Honor Society, and Varsity Girl’s Lacrosse
  • Volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Pensacola Museum of Art, and Oriole Beach Elementary
  • Attending the University of Florida to study biology, with a focus on a pre-medical track

Mathaya Hill
  • Weighted GPA 4.32; ranked in the 75th percentile of graduating Seniors at GBHS
  • Varsity Track, has qualified for districts grades 9 -12
  • President of Peer Helpers; Secretary & Historian of the Future Business Leaders of America; Youth Advisory Council
  • Volunteers at the Gulf Breeze Community Center as a Summer Camp Counselor and Client Specialist
  • Attending the University of West Florida with plans to transfer to the Savannah College of Art and Design; field of study in the arts

Liam Knight
  • 3.75 GPA, ranked in the 83rd percentile of class
  • Recipient of numerous awards through the Saunders Scholars Young Entrepreneurs Academy
  • Volunteer w/ Pensacola Chamber, Oriole Beach Elem.
  • Varsity Swim and Track & Field; GBHS Surf Club
  • Attending Florida State University to study in the Commercial Entrepreneurship program

Aundrea Lancaster
  • Weighted 4.30 GPA; ranked in the 74th percentile
  • President of the Optimist Club; HOSA; Peer Helpers
  • Volunteer at Gulf Breeze Hospital; Double Bridge Run; clothing drive for Santa Rosa Adult High
  • Attending Baylor University to study biology in pursuit of a pre-medicine track 

Kade Nelson
  • Weighted 4.82 GPA; ranked 12th of 424 graduating seniors (97th percentile)
  • Member of the Surf Club, Green Club, Nat’l Honor Soc.
  • Observational student of physical therapy at the Andrews Institute
  • Volunteer for Grilling in the Breeze, Relay for Life
  • Attending the University of Florida to study biomedical engineering

Brenden Perez
  • Weighted 3.94 GPA; ranked in the 62nd percentile
  • Varsity Baseball
  • Over 100 hours of community service teaching the GBHS Camp of Champions, Gulf Breeze Recreation Center, and Kids Discovery Center
  • Attending the University of West Florida to study accounting/finance 

Cali Wilson
  • Weighted GPA 4.71; ranked 31 of 424 graduating seniors (92nd percentile)
  • Founder and President, GBHS Green Club; Captain, Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club Swim Team; Debate Team; Treasurer, National Honor Society; two time Swimmer of the Year for PNJ (2017, 2018) with multiple state competition achievements.
  • Volunteered at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen; 300+ hrs
  • Attending Johns Hopkins University to study chemistry

Spencer Wirth
  • Weighted GPA 4.51; ranked in the 81st percentile
  • Secretary and Historian of the Future Business Leaders of America; founder, Peer Helpers; graduate, Chik Fil A Leadership Academy
  • Varsity Soccer; Varsity Football – PNJ Kicker of the Year (11th grade).
  • Attending Florida State University to study mechanical engineering 

Noah Zalar
  • Weighted GPA 4.33; ranked in the 75th percentile
  • Eagle Scout, Gulf Breeze Troop 11
  • National Honor Society; National Technological Honors Society
  • St. Ann’s Catholic Church – Relay for Life member; Usher; Eagle Scout project
  • Attending the University of West Florida to study cyber security 




2018 Scholarship Recipients 

Sadie Baltz
  • Weighted 4.50 GPA; ranked 82nd percentile in graduating class
  • Varsity Volleyball player (MVP); Treasurer for HOSA (Health Occupations for Students of America)
  • Volunteered with Sacred Heart Hospital, Catholic Heart Workcamp Missionary in Grenada, Baptist Hospital, and St. Ann’s Catholic Church; over 1,000 hours of volunteerism
  • Attending Florida State University to study Nursing in pursuit of her goal of becoming a surgeon
James “Mack” Broach
  • Weighted GPA 4.33; ranked in 76th percentile
  • Varsity Baseball and Football player
  • Member of Interact, Mu Alpha Theta, Latin Honor Society, Student Leadership Team at Community Life Center Methodist Church, Dive Club, Key Club
  • Volunteers with Youth Baseball and Autism Pensacola
  • Attending Florida State University to study kinesiology in pursuit of his goal of becoming a physical therapist
Avery Curington
  • Weighted 3.64 GPA
  • President of Giving’s a Breeze – a club she formed to focus on serving the homeless in our community
  • Youth Praise Band Leader at First Baptist Church  of Pensacola
  • Varsity Girls Lacrosse, Basketball, and Weightlifting
  • Attending Florida State University to study biological science
Adeleine Frierdich
  • Weighted 4.46 GPA; ranked in the 80th percentile
  • Student Government Senior Class President; recipient of Dolphin Determination Award
  • Member of Quentin Cooper Liver Life 5k Board, National Honor Society; over 400 hours of community service
  • Attending the University of Alabama to study Elementary Education
Olivia Hepworth
  • Weighted GPA 4.83; ranked in 98th percentile
  • Varsity Volleyball: Captain, Academic Award, Area Select All-Star Team, and past District Champions
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes Executive Board Leader
  • Completed two clean water projects in northern Nicaragua by raising nearly $20,000 and traveling to volunteer there
  • Attending either the University of Southern Mississippi or Florida State University to major in Public Health Administration and minor in Spanish
Ben Linkous
  • Weighted 4.73 GPA; ranked in the 93rd percentile
  • Eagle Scout; Dolphin Determination Award
  • Varsity Track & Field; Varsity Swim Team
  • President of the Health Occupation Students of America and State Leadership Conference participant
  • Attending Florida State University to study Pre-Biological Sciences in pursuit of his goal to become a neurosurgeon
Sheila Simpson
  • Weighted GPA 4.33; ranked 76th percentile
  • Historian for Interact & Science Olympiad; Treasurer for the Robotics Club
  • Volunteered at CROP Manna Food Bank project
  • Attending the University of Florida’s Innovation Academy to study Political Science
Sarah Spooneybarger
  • Weighted GPA 4.22; ranked in the 72nd percentile
  • Dual enrolled at Pensacola State College; will graduate GBHS w/ 45 of 60 hours needed for an AA degree
  • Head Drum Major – Soundwave Band
  • Leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; teaches Sunday school at Storypoint Church; mission trips to India, Peru, Haiti, Guatemala, Philadelphia, and Danville
  • Attending the University of West Florida to study Music Education

Scholarship Recipients 2017 

Troy Walker
  • Weighted 3.98 GPA
  • Volunteered with Interfaith Ministries in Gulf Breeze
  • Attending the University of South Alabama; will study Cyber Security
Jordan Taylor
  • Weighted GPA 4.63; ranked 53rd of 456 (88th percentile)
  • Senior Class Treasurer for SGA; Editor for Blue & Gold
  • Captain of the Varsity Volleyball team
  • Attending Flagler College, where she will also play volleyball
  • Plans to study Communications (Journalism) and pursue her career as a Sports Journalist
Valerie Price
  • Weighted 4.29 GPA; 80th percentile
  • Varsity Soccer player, grades 9 – 12 (All Star)
  • SGA – Student Body Secretary; Class Representative
  • Over 200 hours in community service
  • Dual-enrolled through Pensacola State College
  • Attending Florida State University to major in Nursing
Ronald Phillips
  • Weighted 4.09 GPA; ranked 72nd percentile
  • National Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society
  • Golf: Varsity (Freshman – present); Co-Captain
  • Baseball: Varsity (Sophomore – present); Academic Award Winner
  • Attending Mississippi State University to study business agriculture (because of his work experience on family cattle/agriculture farm in Nebraska)
Daniel Laurent
  • Weighted 4.82 GPA; ranked 15th of 456 (96th percentile)
  • National English Honor Society; National Honor Soc.
  • Volunteers at St. Ann’s; Relay for Life; Oriole Beach
  • Attending the University of Florida to pursue his degree in engineering
  • Goal of developing his own engineering firm 
Ekaterina “Katya” Khvatkova
  • Weighted 4.74 GPA, ranked 21st of 456 (95th percentile)
  • President of the Young Democrats
  • Art Club, International Thespian Society, Mu Alpha Theta
  • Over 500 community service hours
  • Attending the University of Alabama to study mechanical engineering
Megan Hoffman
  • Weighted GPA 4.71; ranked 24th of 456 (94th percentile)
  • Interact Club President; Paul Harris fellow
  • Varsity Track & Cross Country teams
  • Over 200 hours of community service
  • Attending Auburn University (Honors College) to study chemical engineering
Jack Baltz
  • Weighted GPA 4.61; 86th percentile class rank
  • Founding member – GBHS Robotics Club
  • Founder & President – Tri-M Music Honor Society
  • Band Captain, GBHS Soundwave
  • Over 800 hours of community service
  • Attending the University of Florida to study mechanical engineering and alternative energy science
  • Plans to work to advance renewable energy sources

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Scholarships 2016

Funds for these scholarships were contributed by:
  • Gumbo Cook-Off  - sponsors & GB Rotary
  • The Brodie Family (In memory of Marie Coe)
  • Tip McKnight, MD – Center for Sight
  • The Linda Knowles Memorial

The Scholarship recipients are
  • Olivia Zokan - Weighted 4.18 GPA; ranked 93rd of 363 (74th percentile), Interact Club president; Art Club president: Volunteered at Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Art: National Honor Society, Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: Attending the University of South Florida; will study Communications 
  • Hope Zalar - Weighted GPA 4.62; ranked 26th of 363 (92nd percentile); Over 145 hours of community service; Active at St. Ann’s Catholic Church; St. Timothy Award nominee; Lettered varsity soccer (goalkeeper); NHS, LHS; Attending Troy University; Plans to study Education; aspires to become a teacher
  • Marley Taylor - Weighted 4.16 GPA; 72nd percentile; Will graduate GBHS as a Certified Nursing Assistant through the Health Academy (Vice President); Tennis varsity athlete – district & regional winner; Over 700 volunteer hrs – 300 hrs at Gulf Breeze Hospital; Attending the University of South Alabama, University of West Florida, or University of South Florida; Plans to study Pre-Med and Communications in pursuit of her career as a Navy physician 
  • Alexis Sireci - Weighted 4.63 GPA, ranked 33rd of 363 (90th percentile); Varsity Cheer Team, National Honor Society; Member of Health Academy; dual enrolled at PSC; Attending Louisiana State University to study biochemistry; Plans to go to medical school, and someday become a neurosurgeon
  • Madeline Ngo - Weighted 4.6 GPA; ranked 17th of 363 (95th percentile); Gulf Breeze Rotary Four-Way Test winner, 2014; Blue & Gold Online Editor & Business Manager; Attending the University of Florida; double majoring in English and Economics; Intends to pursue Law and Journalism in graduate school; Hopes to become an editor for a magazine or publication someday
  • Emma Prater - Weighted 4.46 GPA, ranked 50th of 363 (86th percentile); Soundwave Color Guard, National Honors Society; Pensacola MESS Hall, Young Democrats; Graduating GBHS simultaneously with her Associates of Arts degree from PSC; Attending the University of South Alabama; Will study Political Science in pursuit of career in law as a defense attorney 
  • Caleb Dick - Weighted 4.30 GPA, 79th percentile; Boy Scout – Eagle rank service project completed; GBHS Debate Team; Track & Field; Cross-Country; Sr. High Christian Fellowship, GB Presbyterian Church; Attending New College of Florida (Florida’s Honors College) in Sarasota; Plans to study Political Science & International Relations; Hopes to enter foreign service and represent his country in relations and negotiations with other nations of the world

Scholarships 2015

Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze has awarded more than $600,000 in college scholarships to 200 plus Gulf Breeze High School seniors since 1986. This year seven seniors received scholarships worth $6000 each. The recipients are:

  • Josh Wise – an Eagle Scout and band member; plans to attend UCF with interests in the aerospace industry
  • John Rosas – an avid volunteer at St. Ann’s; plans to attend Franciscan University to study theology
  • Madison Sago – a musician, science and environmental enthusiast with membership in five honor societies; plans to attend UCF to study biology
  • Aidan O'Daniel – an athlete in track and basketball, Optimist Club president, and Jr. Achievement participant; plans to attend FSU to study mechanical engineering
  • Noah Desimone – a member of Interact, Young Democrats, Fellowship of Christian Athletes award-winner and swim team captain, as well as Belmont Youth Band; plans to study journalism/English at UWF
  • Taelor Hartley – graduating 5th in her class, a volleyball player and longtime hospital volunteer; plans to attend UF to study biomedical engineering
  • Savannah “Cat” Crowdis – graduating in the 96 percentile, golf team captain, Key Club, National Honor Society and Young Democrats member; plans to attend Colorado State to become a veterinarian

Scholarship Recipients 2012 - 2014

Awarded in 2014
  1. Aspen Lee
  2. Bailey Trzcinski
  3. Christopher Laurent
  4. Helena Rivera
  5. Kimberly Stilson
  6. Mason Baker
  7. Miranda Andrews
  8. Rebecca Schramm
  9. Shaniah Hibbs
Awarded in 2013 
  1. Allison Hanline
  2. Alyssa Coleman
  3. Ben Lockhart
  4. Madison Dalton
  5. Raquel Arias
  6. Stuart Campbell
  7. Vanessa Holding
Awarded in 2012 
  1.  Alyse Tack
  2.  Jessica Bryant
  3. Kerrie Shaw
  4. Rebecca Worley
  5. Shane Halpin
  6. Summer Andrews
  7. Westin DeMotts
  8. Kyle McGee