REAL HELP - Southwest Florida Community Foundation

Unity throUgh oUr sChoLarshiPs
Why I Love Scholarships
by Bob da Frota, Senior Advisory Trustee, Southwest Florida Community Foundation
From my experience, I can attest that Southwest
Floridians are incredibly generous and are
committed to helping others succeed through
higher education. What qualifies me to make such a
statement? Well, for the last twelve years, I have been a
trustee of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.
Additionally, for the past three years, I have had the
privilege of overseeing the Community Foundation’s
scholarship committee, which is comprised of volunteers
who are tasked with assisting in the organization’s
awarding of scholarships to some of Southwest Florida’s
deserving students. This task is not only a lot of work, it is
also emotionally painful, and yet every year we continue
to do this necessary work. Why do we do it? I can only
speak for myself.
The scholarship review process is something that is time
intensive, and is almost entirely done by volunteers.
Once the Community Foundation staff has assembled
all of the completed scholarship applications, a group
of community volunteers are assigned to read the
applications. These scholarship readers, who come from
a wide variety of professional backgrounds, review each
application analytically as well as intuitively. Each award
recipient must meet the wishes of the scholarship’s donor,
something that each reader works hard to ensure. After all
applications have been reviewed, the readers make their
recommendations. Some chosen applicants go on to be
interviewed by Community Foundation trustees. When
this process is complete, the Community Foundation is
then able to notify the scholarship award recipients.
The challenge of every year is that all of our applicants are
already winners. They are products of their own unique
backgrounds and stories, having overcome many types of
challenges, and they are all deserving. As readers, we sit
around a table and feel the pain of recommending one
student over another. In April, at the end of this process
of awarding scholarships, we committee members are
emotionally exhausted. So, why do I do it?
I reflect on the fact that donors not only entrust us to
carry out their wishes, but also make it possible through
their vision and generosity for very special people in our
community to pursue their dreams. The donors gave
their money, and surely, I can give my time.
I think about the parents, families, friends, and teachers
who have instilled the qualities that have brought our
children to this point in their lives. They are to be
commended for giving these kids the support, guidance,
and encouragement that they needed. Having done their
part, then, I keep doing mine.
I know I have grown from the camaraderie of my fellow
trustees and readers and donors. We have weathered
countless hours and the emotional ups and downs
together. Yet, during the interview process, we are
inspired by the students’ sparkling eyes, enthusiasm, and
confidence.
Of the many stories we could relate, one reflects it all—
the story of a young woman who was interviewed for the
John M. and Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship. It is
a four -year scholarship for those pursuing medicine, law,
dentistry, math, and science education. The scholarship
is worth $5,000 per year for a total of $20,000.
When this young lady was interviewed, she brightened
the whole room and made us feel happier. She had
the composure of a winner, not just because of her
valedictorian rank and acceptance to an Ivy League
university, but for her radiant smile. Her main success was
in overcoming obstacles. She overcame language barriers
to learn English as a teen, was the first of her migrant
family, which frequently moved, to attend school, and
she worked to support herself and her siblings.
Despite all the challenges I may have in my world, they
are minor compared to what many of our scholarship
candidates have overcome. They move forward, keeping
their eyes on their dreams, with composure and
exuberance. They give me hope.
I guess that’s why I do this. As I sign up to be a scholarship
reader for next year, I embrace this quote from Mother
Theresa: “It is not how much we do, but how much love
we put into doing. It is not how much we give, but how
much love we put into giving.”
18 www.floridacommunity.com