LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPs

The Legacy scholarship program launched in 2019 at Windermere High School through the Wolverine Legacy Fund. The program was expanded by Legacy Events for Education to western Orange County in 2021 and in 2026 is excited to expand to south Lake County in partnership with Thrive Clermont. Legacy believes that our world is better when we work together and give back to the world more than we take. The goal of the Legacy scholarship program is to encourage volunteerism by rewarding students who have worked to leave their legacy on the community. Legacy is grateful to our community partners for allowing us to help them in recognizing students through our additional scholarship programs. We firmly believe that we are all better together and are excited to partner with organizations who give back to the community.

Leave a Legacy Scholarship

The Leave a Legacy Scholarship is a $1000 Scholarship given to students annually in western Orange County. The Legacy Scholarship is based on personal character with an emphasis on volunteerism, integrity, leadership and a passion to “Leave a Legacy.” Our scholarship is unique because we aren’t looking for the best academics, athletes, or artists. We are looking for those students who believe in making a difference for others. Students who reach out to others around the world and in our community. We have awarded over 80 Legacy Scholarships since our beginning in 2019. Our winners have gone on to attend Ivy League Universities, State Universities, Private Universities, and local trade schools. Our winners have been outstanding athletes, academics, and artists. But more importantly, our winners have fed the hungry, clothed the poor, rescued the animals, and loved their neighbor. 

Legacy Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

● Horizon, Ocoee, Windermere, or West Orange High School Senior (Dual Enrolled or Full Time)

● Pursuing Vocational/Technical/Trade School, 2 year College Degree, or 4 year College Degree

● Good Character Reference with no discipline problems 

● Participated as a Mentor or Leader during 4-years of high school 

● Write an essay of at least 500 words on the topic: What Leaving a Legacy Means to Me 

● Completed 75 hours or more Volunteer Service hours during High School

Dr. Cheri Richardson Scholarship presented by Orlando Health

Our named scholarship honoring the late Dr. Cheri Richardson is awarded each year to our highest scoring applicant across all schools and criteria.

McCoy Federal Credit Union "McCoy Cares" Scholarship

McCoy FCU sponsored scholarship is given to an applicant demonstrating profound “Care” in their volunteerism project(s). 

Other scholarships may be given in conjunction with a Business Partner to students that meet all of the eligibility requirements for the Legacy Scholarship with some additional criteria for such fields as healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship. 

Teacher Nominated Scholarships

Teacher Nominated Scholarships are given annually in the amount of $250. High School teachers nominate senior students by writing a letter to the LEFE board about the impact the student has had on others. The teachers may have had the student in their classroom, team, or club anytime from 9th to 12th grade. Oftentimes, students have no idea that they have been nominated for this scholarship.

Rotary Club of Horizon West Scholarships

Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Founded in 2018, The Horizon West Rotary is a membership-based civic organization with like-minded community members making a difference. The Rotary Club of Horizon West Scholarship was created to reward students for service to their community who can demonstrate that they are following the tenets of being a Rotarian through the Rotary 4 Way Test: 1. Is it the Truth?, 2. Is it Fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Rising Star Entrepreneur Grant presented by Horizon West Professionals

Horizon West Professionals is a microlocal referral based networking group that seeks to build a positive atmosphere for business professionals to meet and connect, create lasting relationships and build solid business alliances across Horizon West. The Rising Star grant was created to reward and encourage entrepreneurship and to assist local budding business owners in growing their business. Open to all students living in Horizon West.

Thrive Clermont Leadership Scholarship

Thrive Clermont’s mission is Empowering Teens to Succeed. Our mission is accomplished by investing in teen development through programs and events that strengthen key life skills, support college prep or career readiness, and grow leadership traits in students ages 13-18. Thrive Clermont’s programs take place in various locations in South Lake County, FL and programs are open to any interested students from any school regardless of income, race, gender, or background.

Since the first Teen Summit in 2016, over 3,700 teens from across Central Florida have been served through three core programs: Thrive’s Adulting Program, Thrive’s Summer PopUps Nights, and Thrive’s Teen Advisory Council Leadership Program.  In addition to the programs for teens, parents and families are benefiting from Thrive’s expanded mental health resources which includes inperson workshops + online support offering actionable solutions for today’s challenges. As today’s youth prepare to tackle many challenges, Thrive Clermont is filling critical educational and social gaps needed for healthy youth development. www.thriveclermont.org

1. Eligibility: 2026 Graduating Senior from any school who is a resident of South Lake County. South Lake County includes the following cities: Mascotte, Minneola, Clermont, Groveland, Montverde, Ferndale, Astatula, Howey-in-the-Hills, Stuckey.

Scholarship Night

Each Spring, we host a Scholarship Night to award our scholarships. It is exciting for the LEFE Board and Scholarship Committee to get to meet the winners. We also recognize our business partners and volunteers who have helped make our scholarship programs and events successful. It is an inspiring night to meet and mingle with so many young people (and a few adults) who believe as we do that serving others in western Orange County indeed Leaves a Legacy!

Small Business Partner Program

Legacy is supported by my many wonderful sponsors, none more important than our small business supporters in our community. Small Business Partners donate $100 annually to our scholarship programs to help support our recipients. Please consider supporting these small businesses and thank them for their support! If you have a small business and are interested in learning about and supporting this program please contact info@legacyeventsfored.org.

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