Orchid Outreach Names 22 Scholarship Recipients

Scholarships are awarded to Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club employees and their families, first responders and their families, and Indian River County kids in need

 

VERO BEACH, FL (February 10, 2025) – More than 200 guests gathered at the Orchid Outreach Cocktail Party on February 2 at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club. Orchid Outreach, an organization started in 2002 to provide scholarship assistance to Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club employees and their families, first responders and their families, and Indian River County students in need, named 22 new scholarship recipients for the 2024-25 academic year, five of whom have ties to Orchid Island.

 

Hosted this year at the home of Orchid Island’s Gerri and Bob Ripp, the annual cocktail reception showcased delicious hors d’oeuvres and beverages prepared and served by Orchid Outreach Committee members. Special guests included Camila Wainwright of the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County along with Indian River State College representatives’ Dr. Terri Graham, Sherri Mounds, and Annabel Robertson. 11 of the 22 scholars attended. 

 

“We are thrilled to help these deserving scholarship recipients fulfill their goals and build their future,” said Maureen Baus, chairwoman of Orchid Outreach. “The giving spirit of Orchid members is why it’s such a special place and I’m so happy to report we surpassed this year’s fundraising goal.” 

 

Indian River State College recipients receiving full scholarships are:

 

Melissa Quickel

Jurie Fontanilla

Joanna Fontanilla

Tess Paterson

Krystal Escalante-Nelson

Anthony Dekker

Cari Dekker

Parker Smith

Donavyn Holiday

Skyler Almand

Casey Dean

Jenna Simmons

Laysha Magana

Adrianna Larkey

Hailey Holland

Emma Grunzweig

Matthew Macdonald

Dorian Trammell

Rossie Jenkins

Ellen Kalogris

  

Orchid Outreach also awarded two partial scholarships to:

 

Caleigh Presley, Florida State University 

Jasmine Delgado, University of Central Florida 

 

Scholarships are administered on Orchid Outreach’s behalf by the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County and the Indian River State College Foundation. 

 

The scholarships are designed to enable deserving students to further their education in a way that best helps them achieve their goals, including:

 

– Full-time students working toward a bachelor’s degree attending four-year institutions throughout the country

– Full-time or part-time students at Indian River State College pursuing bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas through a two-year degree, a four-year degree, or certificate programs

  

Since Orchid Outreach’s inception in 2002, the Orchid membership has contributed in excess of $1.4 million and 178 scholarships have been awarded to worthy, qualified high school graduates and college students. 

 

The Orchid Outreach Committee includes Maureen Baus (Chair), Donna Bleck, Alysia Bowsher, Sylvia Brown, Pat Chartrand, Jacki Chernoff, Keena Clifford, Gerry Collins, Joan Crosby, Olivia Delacruz, Barbara Eager, Sherrerd Steele Flasinski, Anne Golensky, Judy Gow, Jan Gowski, Mary Grandy, Pat Heanue, Irene Hill, Susan Johnson, Colette Kennedy, Tracy Lamport, Ann Loeffler, Adrienne Lower, Mary Lownes, Peggy Marino, Jennifer McGreenery, Ruthie McNally, Janet Ramer, Lucy Reinhardt, Gerri Ripp, Carol St. John, Pat Scott, Laura Shucart, Grace Skrzypczak, Annamelia Smith, Jacquie Storch, Donna Thrailkill, Margaret Walsh, and Janet Younker. 

 

Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club is located at One Beachside Drive, Vero Beach. For information or real estate inquiries, call (772) 388-3888 or visit OrchidIslandFL.com.

 

About Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club

Spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River, Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club is highly sought-after for its laidback waterfront lifestyle. The Beach Club serves as the heart of the community, with a resort-style pool, world-class fitness center, salon and spa, and multiple dining venues – all overlooking the azure Atlantic Ocean. Residents also enjoy nearly a mile of a secluded beach, an Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course, and an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Located along Florida’s Treasure Coast, Orchid Island is home to a wide variety of premier riverfront and oceanfront estates, courtyard homes, cottages, and mid-rise condominiums.