scholarships
Congratulations, 2026 heart of the City Foundation Scholarship recipients!
Frances
Gray
Allison Wolfe Scholarship
Seminole State College & University of Central Florida
Katie Grace
Hanks
Allison Wolfe Scholarship
University of Florida
Yosumanbonu
Olimova
Ann Wilson Divine Scholarship
Covenant College
Cole
Spencer
Ann Wilson Divine Scholarship
Flagler College
Phoebe
Williamson
Annie Bell Johnson Nursing Scholarship
Barry University
Heidi
Towle
Beryl & Betty Windsor Educator Scholarship
University of South Florida
Mary Caroline
Kolar
Bookhardt-Wilson Music Scholarship
Wake Forest University
Benjamin
Willsey
David Swanson Pastoral Scholarship
Reformed Theological Seminary
Laila
Schuck
Dr. Glen R. & Rita B. Pierson Scholarship
Palm Beach Atlantic University
CJ
Wagner
Dr. Glen R. & Rita B. Pierson Scholarship
Florida Institute of Technology
Katherine
Shiflet
Dr. James Porter, Jr. Scholarship
Southern New Hampshire University
Taylor
Talesnick
Dr. James Porter, Jr. Scholarship
Advent Health University
Ava
Thigpen
Emma Caldwell Scholarship
Florida State University
Charles
Thorp
General W. E. “Joe” & Ruth T. Potter Scholarship
Florida State University
Pierson
Hewitt
Glenn & Phyllis Fuller Scholarship
University of Florida
Henry
Burden
Hames Family Scholarship
Georgia Southern University
Joseph
Bongiorno
Hester-Hill-Owsley Scholarship
Florida State University
Alexandra
Thorp
Hester-Hill-Owsley Scholarship
Florida State University
Evelyn
Basso
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
University of Florida
Ciaran
Braton
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Southeastern University
Charles
Clendenin
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Baylor University
Emma
Fetter
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
University of Florida
Beckett
Gimenez
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Valencia College
Joel
Hietala
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
University of Central Florida
Jeremiah
Holcomb
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Seminole State College
David
Hull
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Georgia Institute of Technology
Perry
Johnson
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Florida Gateway College
Margaret
Lee
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
SUNY Cobleskill
William “LUke”
Palmer
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Auburn University
Elllis
Parker
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Florida State University
Connor
Summer
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
University of Central Florida
Austin
Taylor
Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship
Santa Fe College
ben
Batterson
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Florida
Kate
Batterson
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of South Carolina
Ben
Bryan
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Alabama
Anna
Wells Burden
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
Samford University
Clara
Bywater
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
College of Charleston
Lauren
DeOrio
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of South Carolina Upstate
Luke
Easterling
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Florida
Ella
Garcia
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
Florida State University
Amelia Grace
Greninger
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Tampa
Chapel
Heron
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Florida
Watson
Hewitt
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Florida
Grant
Ickes
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
Catawba College
Emma Grace
Ramb
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
Auburn University
Joseph
Scheck
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Florida
Harrison
Summer
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
University of Florida
Natnael
Daniel
Jim & Diane Cook Scholarship
Florida A&M University
Javaun
Logan
Jim & Diane Cook Scholarship
Florida A&M University
Ann Elizabeth
Bryan
Kathleen H. & Kenneth H. Kraft, Jr. Scholarship
University of South Carolina
Mallory
Smith
Kathleen H. & Kenneth H. Kraft, Jr. Scholarship
Georgia Institute of Technology
Kemisie
Brockman
Lee Family Scholarship
Florida State University
Alda
Marcondes
Lee Family Scholarship
Herzing University
Andy
Ward
Lucille & Robert McCutchen Christian Ministerial Scholarship & Mabelle O’Neal Christian Education Scholarship
Fuller Theological Seminary
Lisa
Brockman
Mabelle O’Neal Christian Education Scholarship
Kairos University
Matthew
Pacheco
Mabelle O’Neal Christian Education Scholarship
Reformed Theological Seminary
Addison
Taylor
Teresa Jefford Scholarship
University of Florida
Jennifer
Vais
Teresa Jefford Scholarship
Samford University
Selected
Student(s)
from The
Christ School
Elizabeth Madsen Sefcik Memorial Scholarship & Robert A. Robertson Memorial scholarship
Selected
Student(s)
from The
Weekday School
Robert A. Robertson Memorial scholarship
Our Scholarship funds
bookhardt-Wilson music scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in memory of Jesse "Jack" Bookhardt—who was very involved with the music program at FPCO until his unexpected death on a youth chorus trip—and Jack and Marion Wilson.
emma caldwell scholarship
Jack Caldwell started this scholarship fund in 2006 in loving memory of his mother, Emma Caldwell, who was a teacher at Howard Middle School for many years.
jim & diane cook scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in honor of an FPCO member’s beloved mother and father, Jim and Diane Cook, who ministered to her in meaningful ways until her last breath.
ann wilson divine scholarship
Former board member Russ Divine and his brother Bill started this fund in 2014 in loving memory of their mother, Ann Wilson Divine, who was an educator and had a true love for learning. They felt like it was the greatest way they could honor her. This scholarship is dedicated to lifting up students who are studying English, literature, creative writing, and education.
Our readers, writers, and educators pour so much love and life into our communities—whether through sharing their art, empowering other artists to gift us their talents, or educating the next generations. We’re proud to grant this scholarship to deserving students each year, to continue the legacy of learning Ann Wilson Divine left to her sons and to us.
See video about Ann Wilson Divine here.
Glenn & Phyllis Fuller Scholarship
Glenn Fuller loved his work as an aerospace engineer. Passionate about his work and the subjects of math, science, and engineering, he was always excited to share his knowledge and encourage others in their math studies. He not only loved solving challenging math problems, he could fix most anything around the house! Phyllis Fuller was a supportive wife who not only benefitted from a husband who enjoyed fixing things, but who encouraged his career and was devoted to service at First Presbyterian. They both especially loved spending time with their and beloved grandchildren.
The Glenn and Phyllis Scholarship Fund is created to empower students who are pursuing careers in math, science, and engineering. Their family felt this fund was the perfect way to lovingly honor their memory by investing in future generations of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.
general scholarship
This scholarship fund is for any student pursuing further education.
stacey guetzloe weekday school scholarship
In 2006, Doug Guetzloe started this scholarship as a Christmas gift to his wife Stacey, who has served as a Weekday School volunteer, committee chairperson, and member of the Advisory Board. The Weekday School has meant a lot to them over the years, with all three of their children having attended and having been shaped by the Weekday School. They want to invest in the education of children as well as encourage others to support the school they love.
Hames Family Scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in 2005 because of Cliff Hames’s belief in the importance of education. He believed that everyone should get the chance to pursue an education.
hester-Hill-Owsley scholarship
This scholarship was started in memory of the Hester family, Sarah Boon Hill, and Carl J & Nancy W Owsley.
beryl & betty windsor educator scholarship
Beryl and Betty Windsor were educators in Orange County, Florida for many, many years. They both had an undeniable passion for young people, always wanting to encourage them in their learning, and they were especially compassionate towards the students who struggled. They strived to lift up every student.
As a way to further pour into future generations of educators, Betty often welcomed educator interns from the University of Central Florida into her classroom as well. She so enjoyed the opportunity to mentor them as they learned to lead and encourage their own classrooms of incredible students.
This scholarship fund was started by Beryl and Betty’s family in their honor, to raise up future generations of educators with the same spirit that Beryl and Betty nurtured throughout their careers and lives.
Irene Lester Miller Scholarship
Irene Lester Miller was a school teacher with a huge heart for her city—she wanted her life to be a ministry to the city, not only in her present, but also in our future. Her desire was to serve her entire community in whatever ways she was able. In all things, she believed in excellence, and as an educator, she encouraged her students to strive for excellence as well. In their studies. In their faith.
Former Heart of the City Foundation Board Member Donald Brown remembers, “She would get up early in the morning and get her Wall Street Journal, and by 10 o’clock she would be calling her investment advisors, asking questions about what was in the Wall Street Journal. I knew I had to get up before her so I could answer her questions.” With a hearty laugh, he adds, “She never said goodbye. You were talking to her on the phone and when she got through what she wanted to say, she’d just hang up. She was a sweet, sweet lady. Very, very special.”
Irene was the first major donor to the Heart of the City Foundation, giving essentially all she had when she passed away. One of her passions was for future students to continue to be encouraged towards excellence, and this scholarship was established as a part of her legacy.
Elizabeth masden sefcik memorial scholarship
After the passing of their daughter Elizabeth in 1996, The Christ School founders Joe and Eugenia Sefcik started this endowment and scholarship in her beloved memory. Elizabeth was born with a severe chromosomal disorder, expected to live a very short life. The few short weeks Joe and Eugenia had with Elizabeth were a blessing, and the blessing of her life was something they wanted to share with other children.
allison wolfe scholarship
glen r. & rita b. pierson scholarship
dr. james porter, jr. scholarship
This scholarship fund was started by family and friends in memory of Dr James Porter Jr in 1992.
general w. e. “joe” potter scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in 1990 by friends and family in memory of General W E “Joe” Potter, so that every FPCO member can have a chance to pursue further education.
teresa jefford scholarship
This scholarship was created by Teresa Jefford’s family in honor of her memory. Teresa was incredibly thoughtful, always reaching out to her family and friends to make sure they knew she was thinking about them. She was a special needs teacher, who stepped back from teaching when her illness became too debilitating, but who never stopped teaching in the little ways she still could. In the face of her illness, she stayed hopeful and joyful, having faith in her Lord and Savior that her health would one day be restored.
See video about Teresa Jefford here.
annie bell Johnson nursing scholarship
Annie Bell Johnson started this scholarship as a legacy gift when she passed away in 2009. She left this scholarship to empower students in the field of nursing, to pour into future generations.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and her master’s degree in nursing education from the University of Colorado, she went on to become an incredible nursing educator. She devoted herself to her family, to her work in which she touched so many lives, and to her church, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.
Her grand niece, Emily Dunaway, shared in Annie Bell’s obituary, “Annie Bell always had the warmest smile at our gatherings and such sweet eyes that always let me know how much she cared about being there and spending time with all of us.” Annie Bell was also as scholarly as she was spiritual and kind, enjoying a wonderful collection of the greatest poets and writers.
david swanson pastoral scholarship
kathleen h. kraft & kenneth h. kraft, jr family scholarship
This scholarship fund was started by Kathleen and Kenneth Kraft in 2013.
lee family scholarship
lucille & robert mccutchen christian ministerial scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in 1994 by Lucille McCutchen in memory of her husband Robert McCutchen.
robert a. robertson Memorial scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in 1995 as a legacy gift by Robert A Robertson, better known by his friends and family as “Bob” or “Robbie.” Bob was an influential and generous member of FPCO and HOCF. For 58 years, he served FPCO and HOCF in many capacities—as a deacon, an elder, and the financial chair as well as the President of the Trustees at HOCF. One of his strong beliefs was that education is vital to creating equal opportunity and a better world, empowering those who have little to rise as future leaders.
Are you a student?
We here at the Heart of the City Foundation are passionate about encouraging and empowering students who love Jesus Christ—we believe it is vital that we support the future influencers of our church, city, and world. If you are or someone you love is a student—Weekday School, The Christ School, undergraduate, graduate, or vocational/technical school—we would love to receive your application for a scholarship. The deadline to apply was April 1, 2026.
Please note that you will need to have two letters of recommendation and your official transcript emailed to us at scholarships@heartofthecityfoundation.org or mailed to us at 106 E Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801 by April 1, 2026.
One recommendation must come from a First Presbyterian Church of Orlando staff member. The other must come from a non-family member who knows you in an academic, professional, ministry, or community setting. In one paragraph, please have your recommenders tell us how they know you and describe up to three qualities that best reflect who you are and why they believe you are deserving of this scholarship.
If we have not received your recommendations and your official transcript by April 1, 2026, we will not be able to consider your application.
The scholarship application is now closed for 2026. Thank you.