The Anna Maria Island Privateers rolled out the red carpet July 4 for some special guests during its annual Independence Day parade.
The Privateers invited the organization’s 2016 scholarship recipients to ride the Skully Wag float with the pirates during the parade from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to the City Pier in Anna Maria. The winners were to be celebrated and honored at a parade after-party at the Ugly Grouper, 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
This year’s scholarship winners:
• Daniele Grutzner, who received an $850 scholarship to attend Florida State University.
• Christian Zanders received an $850 scholarship to attend the University of Central Florida.
• Megan Manbeck received an $850 scholarship to attend the University of Alabama.
• Gabriel Chawi received an $850 scholarship to attend State College of Florida.
• Asia Sterlin received an $850 scholarship to attend State College of Florida.
Students who received scholarship renewals are:
• Justin Puthusseril, a junior at the University of South Florida, received $1,350.
• Mina Barsoum, a sophomore at Florida State University, received $750.
• Chelsea Perez, a junior at the University of Central Florida, received $1,100.
Trista Campbell, a sophomore at State College of Florida, received the Privateer’s Sandpiper award and a $1,500 scholarship.
Konstantina Lardas, a junior at Florida International University, received the Shiprek award and a $1,700 scholarship.
Emily Waiken, a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University, won the Whitey Horton award and a $2,250 scholarship.
In total, the Privateers awarded $11,500 in scholarships for the 2016-17 school year.
Since launching the program in 1992, the Privateers have awarded 125 scholarships totaling $275,500 to Manatee County students.
Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, community service and grades. Renewals require the students reapply each year, maintain full-time student status and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
For more information on the Privateers scholarship program, go online to www.amiprivateers.memberlodge.org.
— Kristin Swain