PENSACOLA — Pensacola Sports has renewed its partnership with Whataburger restaurants to sponsor the Pensacola Sports Senior Scholar Athlete Banquet May 9. More than $120,000 in scholarships will be awarded to nearly 30 senior athletes during the event.
The organizations award one male and one female student-athlete a $500 scholarship toward their first semester book expenses. The two awardees also win "Whataburger for a Year." Seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties may apply.
The annual banquet (presented by Sacred Heart Health System) recognizes 214 senior athletes based on their academic performance and their athletic skills. Several nominees tend to be a school’s valedictorian or in the top 5 percent of their respective class.
Visit https://pensacolasports.org/whataburgerscholarship/ to complete and submit the scholarship application form by the April 21 deadline.
The selection committee is looking for individuals who performed well in the classroom, participated in varsity sports and contributed to their community through volunteer hours and extracurricular activities and clubs.
“We are very happy to continue the partnership with Whataburger at what is without a doubt one of the most outstanding events on the Pensacola Sports’ calendar,” Pensacola Sports Executive Director Ray Palmer said. “Their commitment to our outstanding student athletes is a great compliment to the commitment (students) have shown in both the classroom and in their sports.”
A majority of the $100,000 plus scholarships come from event partners Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. Other scholarships and recognitions include a $4,000 scholarship to the Senior Scholar Overall Male and Female provided by the Pensacola Sports Foundation, and the Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Scholarship.
“At Whataburger, we believe participating in athletic programs gives students confidence in the classroom,” Whataburger Director of Operations David Bladel said. “The Pensacola Sports scholarship is one way of investing in our local students and the communities we call home."
Visit pensacolasports.org or call 850-434-2800 for banquet details or other Pensacola Sports events.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pensacola Sports accepting scholarship applications