Education Foundation of Sarasota County announces Suncoast Credit Union Scholars

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County recently named Abigail Koester and Diana “Nicole” Valero Suncoast Credit Union Scholars. The $2,000 scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors planning to attend a four-year or two-year college, university, or technical school in Florida.

Koester graduated from Sarasota Military Academy this spring and plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Florida. Her long-term goal is to work in urban planning and development to help underprivileged communities.

Valero, a graduate of Sarasota High School, will begin at the University of South Florida in the fall and plans to study biology with the intention of going to medical school and eventually becoming an anesthesiologist in a children’s hospital.

“These two young women are tremendous students and individuals," said Jennifer Vigne, president and CEO of the Education Foundation. "They are deserving of the financial assistance these scholarships will provide and the votes of confidence they reflect.”

The Education Foundation partnered with Suncoast Credit Union Foundation in 2019 to create the scholarships. “We believe the best way we can build better communities is by investing in education and health-related initiatives for children,” said Cindy Helton, executive director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.

The Education Foundation is an independent, philanthropic partner with Sarasota County Schools. Visit EdFoundationSRQ.org for more information.

Submitted by Tracy Spalsbury

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SMA, Sarasota High graduates are named Suncoast Credit Union Scholars