FORT MYERS, Fla. – August 15, 2024 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve the loss of a loved one, has awarded $60,000 in college scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have come through and found support in the Valerie’s House grief support program.

It’s the third year that Valerie’s House has offered the scholarships which this year are $1,500 per student. The scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years for a total of $6,000 per student, depending upon individual achievement. The scholarships are made possible due, in part, to a grant from Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation.

Ten local students were chosen based on an essay they each wrote about their personal grief story and how their loss shaped them as the person they are and the person they want to become.

The scholarship recipients are:

● Gabriel Dang of Naples, who graduated from Golden Gate High School and plans to attend Prestige Worldwide Sports Academy;

● Abigail Dotzler of North Port, who graduated from Liberty University Online Academy and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater;

● Talia Hall of Lehigh Acres, who graduated from Lehigh Senior High School and plans to attend Valencia College;

● Jessica McKee of Fort Myers, who graduated from Fort Myers High School and plans to attend Santa Fe College;

● Madison McKinnon of Cape Coral, who graduated from North Fort Myers High School and is attending Penn State University;

● Melanie Para of Lehigh Acres, who graduated from Lehigh Senior High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University;

● Anthony Pham of Fort Myers, who graduated from Fort Myers High School and plans to attend Florida State University;

. ● Sean Sorrick of Naples, who graduated from Marco Academy and plans to attend University of North Florida;

. ● Siena Sulmasy of Naples, who graduated from The Village School and plans to attend Florida Southern College; and

. ● Hayden Toms of Fort Myers, who graduated from Cypress LakeHigh School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.

“We believe it is important to empower our youth to strive for big things and to know that loss doesn’t have to limit their dreams,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin Churchill. “We are very grateful to our donors who have made this scholarship program possible.”

The scholarship funds may be used for classes, materials, or anything they need during the school year.

“The students, whose families are all a part of the Valerie’s House grief support program, are asked to check in with Valerie’s House each college semester and tell us something that they worked through that was challenging during the semester, and something great that they believe they might have accomplished, “ Melvin Churchill said.

To donate and help the Valerie’s House Scholarship Fund, visit www.valerieshouse.org/donate

Valerie’s House opened its first location in Fort Myers in January 2016 and has served more than 5,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member.

Valerie’s House has three Southwest Florida locations: 3551 Valerie’s House Way in Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and 233 East McKenzie Street in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House also expanded into Northwest Florida in 2021 with a home in downtown Pensacola. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

Editor’s nore: AI was NOT used in the creation of any portion of this news release.

Photos:

1) Gabriel Dang (Naples)

2) Abigail Dotzler (North Port)

3) Talia Hall (Lehigh Acres)

4) Jessica McKee (Fort Myers)

5) Madison McKinnon (Cape Coral)

6) Melanie Para (Lehigh Acres)

7) Anthony Pham (Fort Myers)

8) CEO Angela Melvin Churchill and Sean Sorrick (Naples)

9) VP of Clinical Support Amy Strom and Siena Sulmasy (Naples)

10) Hayden Toms (Fort Myers