New Hope For Kids Scholarship

We are honored to introduce you to the 2023 recipients:

Riley Johnson, 19 years old, was just 3 ½ when her father died. She shared, “While it created challenges and heartache, it also fueled my determination and resilience. Through studying accounting and engaging in volunteer work, I aim to honor my father’s memory by helping others who have experienced the loss of a parent.” Riley is majoring in Accounting at the University of Mississippi.

Sara Kyle, 19, came to New Hope for Kids after her father died when she was 8 years old. Her family’s financial struggles after his death caused Sara to work extra hard academically, and she is proud to have graduated in the top 2% of her class at Colonial High School. She is attending the University of Florida to pursue a career in nursing. “Caring for others is my personal way of paying it forward to those who cared for me and my father when he was ill.”

Gianna Rojas, 18, is attending the University of Florida as a Mechanical Engineering major. She and her family attended New Hope for Kids after the death of her father when she was 3 years old. The healing she experienced as a child in her support groups inspired Gianna to become a volunteer grief facilitator herself. In this role she was able to show other children by example that “life doesn’t end when the shelter around you crumbles.”

Jack Wegman was 5 years old when he was introduced to New Hope for Kids after his father’s death. Jack is the proud recipient of his 2nd Scholarship award. Now 19, he is a University of Central Florida Kinesiology major who has learned a lot this past year, both academically and about life. When thinking of his father’s legacy, Jack said, “The hardships I’ve suffered from his passing have made me stronger and wiser.”