Privateers Scholarship Recepients

There was another celebration after throngs of islanders lined the roadways to see the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July Parade.

The community service group awarded 14 scholarships to college and college-bound students. The awards totaled $17,500.

Five scholarship winners were at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at the Manatee Public Beach for the presentations. They included:

Gabe Chaw, who has been attending State College of Florida and will attend the University of Central Florida, majoring in chiropractic medicine.

James Arias is a 2018 graduate of Bayshore High School and will attend the University of Florida to study biomedical engineering.

Eryn LaLonde graduated from Braden River High School and will attend the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee, majoring in health care administration.

Hannan Herman graduated from Bradenton Christian School and will attend Palm Beach Atlantic University in nursing.

Megan Manbeck is receiving a Privateers’ scholarship for the third year. She attends the University of Alabama, majoring in elementary education.

The Privateers raise money throughout the year for scholarships, according to member Terry “Cookie” Rapert. The organization attends and sponsors local events, conducts raffles, and sells merchandise — all with proceeds going to the scholarship fund. Rapert said the amount of scholarship money varies from year to year. “Some years, we can give more,” Rappert said. — Sandy Ambrogi

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