Doorways Spotlight:
Seniors Shine

Teachers: Submit your Teach for Excellence Grant Applications by August 8^th 

Centers of Excellence Awarded Model Status

Last month, 305 Pinellas County high school seniors received their diplomas and the added confidence of knowing their college education or technical school training is paid for as Doorways scholarships worth $3,492,000 were awarded.  Three of the Doorways seniors have earned their way to the top of their classes this year.  Anneliese Delgado-Cate is the valedictorian at Lakewood High, Anthony Castro is the valedictorian at Pinellas Park High and Alfredo Kiernan is the traditional salutatorian at St. Petersburg High.  This is the second consecutive year that St. Petersburg and third year Pinellas Park has had a Doorways senior graduating at the top of their class.

Read more here.

The Teach for Excellence Grant cycle 1 is open May 25 - August 8.

New category this year - STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)!

Looking for grants that deal with Green Technology!

Worknet Career Education and State Farm Service Learning grants are opened through August 30.

Teachers click here to begin your universal application!

Exciting News - INCUBATOR GRANT is BACK!!

The NCAC provides the onlynational certification for high school career academies across the country. The NCAC career academy review process is based on ten National Standards of Practice.

Read more here.

Wachovia, Wal-Mart, Walbridge Construction Support Pinellas Education Foundation

Above, representatives from Wachovia present  a check to the Foundation.

Below, Walbridge Construction staff support the Foundation.

Business Partner Spotlight:
Ron Bitz, Homewood Suites

Business Partner Ron Bitz, General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton at 2233 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater, knows first hand the importance of education. Ron was an athletic coach for Northeast High School in St. Petersburg before going into hospitality and continues to support education and employment needs of student in the community. A genuine charitably oriented individual who loves kids, music and sports, especially the Florida State Seminoles; as evident by the walls in his office.

Read more here.

Walker's Rising Stars:
A Dramatic Success

Walker’s Rising Stars took the stage at Ruth Eckerd Hall on May 27 for final judging and the conclusion to the multi-month scholarship competition.  The audience of nearly 1,800 was captivated by this inspirational showcase of artistry.

Judging for the visual arts and the video arts categories were completed in advance of the event.  The talent of the visual artists was brought to life through a video portfolio and interview with each of the four visual arts finalists.  Camille Clark, a senior at Pinellas County Center for the Arts took top prize and won a $7,000 scholarship. 

Read more here.

ESG Funds Grant to Perkins Elementary

ESG generously funded a grant supplying green technology kits to students in grades 1-5  at Perkins Elementary.  Teacher George Potts facilitated the project which gave hands-on experiences to students, fueling their learning and imaginations.  Students created a computer model city, constructed a 3-D model, and then presented a summary of their green design communities and related discoveries to schoolmates, parents, and the ESG visitation team featured in the photograph above. 

Thank you to Our May Donors

Apsco Appliance Center
Ahmad Arasteh
Mahshid D. Arasteh
Armed Forces Communications & Electronic Association
Balfour
BayCare Health Systems
James Bays
Baystar Restaurant Group
Terry A. Boehm
Boston Market
Alexa Bouchard
Bill Brandon
Bright House Networks
Deborah A. Bushnell, Attorney
ChairScholars Foundation, Inc.
Sandra H. Contreras
Carol J. Cook
Costco
Jack Critchfield
Click here for the complete list. 

Doorways Graduates Excel

Xavier Williams, Gibbs High '09 is a Doorways Scholar and sophomore at the University of Florida with a 4.0 GPA.  Xavier pays it forward by serving as an inspirational speaker to Gibbs students.

" I would like to thank the Pinellas Education Foundation
for giving me the opportunity to attend college and fulfill my
dreams!" 

Read more here.