UWF improvises by celebrating full-ride scholarship recipients with caravan parade

A parade of vehicles with congratulatory words written on the windows and passengers holding blue and green pom poms out the windows weaved through Escambia and Santa Rosa County roads. The scene resembled a community celebrating a football championship.

The University of West Florida is accustomed to celebrating champions, and while the COVID-19 global pandemic disrupted traditional scholar celebrations this spring at high schools, UWF improvised by bringing the party to the students—literally. UWF faculty, staff and students loaded into vehicles, traveled to the homes of seven full-ride scholarship recipients and surprised them, not by ringing their doorbells but by shouting their names with a bullhorn. The wide-eyed recipients walked out to a surprise celebration as the UWF contingent handed them congratulatory balloons and certificates throughout a weeklong caravan that concluded May 15.

Overall, UWF awarded full-ride scholarships to nine incoming freshmen, seven of whom live in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Six of the recipients earned the Pace Presidential Scholarship, and the University awarded three students with the Argo Spirit Scholarship.

The Pace Presidential Scholarship, offered in conjunction with Florida Bright Futures, is valued at more than $50,000, covering tuition, mandatory fees, a meal plan, on-campus housing, an $800 per-semester textbook stipend and a one-time paid summer research or study abroad experience valued at up to $1,500. The recipients participated in the President’s Scholarship Competition and were evaluated on high school academic records, test scores, interviews with faculty and a timed essay. 

Allie Linkous, a Pace Presidential scholar recipient from Gulf Breeze High School, plans to major in biomedical sciences at UWF and someday follow her parents into the medical profession. Her father, Clayton, retired as a paramedic after 26 years and is a registered nurse in the West Florida Hospital intensive care unit, where he takes care of patients after their open-heart surgery. Her mother, Kathy, is an RN at Gulf Breeze Hospital. Her unit is responsible for testing patients for COVID-19. 

“Specifically, with the medical field, I think people are finally beginning to see what these health care workers are putting on the line for others,” Linkous said. “Also, technologically speaking, I feel like telemedicine is going to boom because it’s a cheaper and still very viable option. Moving forward economically, I’ve heard through my mom that her unit specifically is taking a huge hit since they had to cancel any elective surgeries. At this point, though, everyone can only take educated guesses on what they think is going to happen. I’m excited to see how COVID will ultimately change the face of medicine.”

Fellow Gulf Breeze High senior Anthony Dawson was awarded the Argo Spirit Scholarship, which is valued at more than $50,000 and combines with other financial aid packages to cover tuition, housing and books for four years. An Argo Spirit award recipient exhibits strength in character and maintains a positive attitude in the face of adversity. They have overcome obstacles, fought for something important and meaningful, made an impact in their school and community or contributed to their family and friends in a substantial way.

Dawson credited his mother for “working every job imaginable” to overcome financial hardships and ensure he stayed on the right path in his education.

“She’s my rock, literally,” Dawson said. “She’s always been there for me since day one. Every problem I’ve had, every struggle I’ve had, she’s been there for me. I love her more than anything.”

Overall, UWF awarded 650 scholarships to the Class of 2020, totaling about $2.4 million. Currently, UWF has awarded over $4 million in scholarships to its undergraduate students.

Pace Presidential recipients: Olivia Cutshaw, Washington High School in Pensacola; Jacob Hardin, Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, Texas; Morgan Kelley, Escambia High School in Pensacola; Allie Linkous, Gulf Breeze; Ellie Rose, Pensacola High School; and Elizabeth Royappa, Christian Institute of Arts and Sciences in Pensacola. 

Argo Spirit recipients: Ella Auxier, Bay Virtual School in Panama City Beach; Anthony Dawson, Gulf Breeze; Austin Witt, Tate High School in Cantonment.

For more information on all undergraduate scholarship opportunities, visit uwf.edu/admissionsawards.