Salute to Scholars
Education was extremely important to Vincent as evidenced by him fulfilling his promise to receive his Bachelor’s degree, which he did in May 2016 after finishing his college credits at the University of South Florida. As an alumni of Widefield High School in Colorado Springs, Vincent wanted to support other military dependents at the school that gave him so much. A $2,500 scholarship has been gifted annually, since 2014, to one graduating senior at WHS who is a child of active duty, retired, or deceased military personnel. In 2015, the foundation added a second annual $2,500 scholarship in the Tampa Bay area which is awarded to a graduating senior from a Hillsborough or Pinellas County high school. In 2018 the program was increased to annually award two additional scholarships to students in the Tampa Bay area in the amounts of $1,000 and $500.
With the help of generous supporters, including Charity Polo Classic, the foundation was able to expand the Salute to Scholars program beginning in 2019 in order to provide scholarships to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Three veterans are selected annually to receive scholarships in the amounts of $2,500, $1,000, and $500 so they can continue to pursue degrees and/or continuing education credits to help them keep or obtain a job in the civilian workforce.
Through 2020, the foundation has awarded a total of $45,000 in scholarship funds through the Salute to Scholars Program.
Eligible students must maint
ain at least a 2.5 GPA and plan to attend a four-year college or university, trade/vocational school, or community college. Applications for the Salute to Scholars Program become available every year in February. The deadline for this year’s applications from both graduating high school seniors and veterans is May 30, 2021 at 5pm.
