ANNA MARIA – Three students were awarded the 2024 Pat Copeland Scholarships at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society during the April 25 AMI Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange.
The scholarships named for Copeland, one of the founders of the Historical Society and a former reporter and copy editor for The Sun, are $2,000 each and are provided through fundraising activities.
Bryanna Sparks, who is graduating from Manatee High School, excels in the Medical Academy and serves in leadership roles as president of both Future Health Professionals and the National Honor Society. She also serves as webmaster for Key Club. Sparks has been active in Girl Scouts since 2011, which includes the Gold Award for her project on maternal mental health. She also has served over 300 hours of community service, including at Downtown Ministries, HCA Florida Blake Hospital and with the homeless. Sparks plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology, then work toward her goal of becoming a pediatrician attending LECOM for her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. She plans to open a practice in Bradenton. Sparks was unable to attend the event.
Anna Wright, graduating from Manatee High School, is an active member of her community and school, including the drama club and environmental club, where she worked closely with Keep Manatee Beautiful. Outside of school, she has worked for Cove on Bridge Street for three years, which she says has taught her a good work ethic that will be valuable in the future. She also currently participates in the Youth Advisory Council program at De Soto National Memorial. Wright says she would like to pursue a career with the National Park Service and become a park ranger. She plans to study environmental science at Florida State University.
Nicholas Yatros, graduating from Manatee High School, scored a 1500 on the SAT while maintaining a 4.32 GPA. He has completed four AP courses and is currently taking four more before graduating. Despite his heavy course load, he was selected MVP of the basketball team, is a member of the National Honor and Spanish Honor societies, and co-founder of the school’s argument club, which is a spin-off of the debate club. Yatros has also volunteered at Anna Maria Elementary and The Center of Anna Maria Island, accumulating over 100 hours of community service. Yatros plans to pursue a degree in computer science from the University of Florida.
In addition to the Copeland scholarships, a Chamber scholarship was also awarded to a student who couldn’t be present at its March 28 ceremony. Nathan Rupprecht is graduating from Southeast High School having completed the rigorous International Baccalaureate Program in the top 3% of his class. Excelling in engineering design, Rupprecht won first place in the United States Technology Students Association over 7,000 other students, as well as the national title in Architectural Design. He also works at Publix part-time. Rupprecht will seek an advanced degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.
