HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce recently presented $1,000 scholarships to three outstanding Manatee County students: Gracie Jean-Charles, Torianne Hurst and Callaway Johnson.
The scholarships were presented during a March 27 AMI Chamber event held at the LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air headquarters in Holmes Beach and catered by The Feast restaurant.
Charles will graduate from Palmetto High School with an Advanced International Certificate of Education and in the top 3% of her class. Her list of accomplishments includes winning the Yale Book Award by the Suncoast Yale Club and the Manatee County Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year. She also served as a Youth advocate. She will attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in microbiology.
Hurst will graduate from Manatee High School in the top 4% of her class. Her academic excellence includes being a member of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honors Society. She’s also been a mentor in the Penguins Project at the Manatee Performing Arts Center where she mentored children and adults with disabilities as they performed on stage. She grew up on Anna Maria Island and the Island’s close and supportive community helped her through some difficult times. She will attend Florida State University in pursuit of a degree in computer science.
Johnson will graduate from Manatee High School in the top 3% of her class with an AP Capstone Diploma with five dual enrollment classes and college credits from USF. Callaway is active in sports, clubs and volunteering. She took on leadership roles in the Student Council, National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ballroom Dance and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors. She was a member of the Sugar Canes dance team and a varsity cheerleader. She plans to attend Baylor University to pursue a degree in accounting.
