Thanks to generous donors who believe in the impact that higher education can have on our communities, the Manatee Community Foundation has the pleasure of awarding scholarships to local students. Since 1998, we have been able to award over $50 million in scholarships and grants.

We enjoy following our scholars through their educational journey and we will periodically highlight these exceptional students.

Terrance J. – Palmetto High School Graduate

Terrance J.

High School: Palmetto High School

College: Florida Atlantic University

Major: Business

College Graduation Date: Approx. December 2027

Next Steps: (Residency, etc.) Upon graduation, I hope to work for a business marketing firm and one day own my own company.

Why did you choose your major? I chose Business Marketing because I want to find creative ways to promote and market small/minority businesses that may need that publicity to be competitive with other businesses.

Favorite thing about Manatee County: A few things I love about Manatee County are my family and being close to nice beaches.

How has MCF scholarships helped you? The scholarship has helped to ease some of the financial burden and stress that comes along with paying for college. The Manatee Community Foundation Scholarship and others like it have given me the opportunity to attend a Florida university.

Your mentor(s) and why? One of my mentors before his death was my grandfather, Ozell Ackerman. He was an educator in Manatee County for 40+ years with 25+ as a principal. He was always encouraging me from a very early age to given everything my best effort whether it was in school or with baseball. I learned what hard work, integrity, character, and success looked like by watching him. He made sure to let me know he believed in me and my ability to do anything I put my mind to.

What piece of advice would you give to high school seniors? I would tell seniors that if they haven’t already taken SAT/ACT start now and apply to colleges early. I would also tell them as soon as their school releases information on scholarships apply.

What would you like to share with scholarship donors? I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and the donor(s) for choosing me as a 2023 scholarship recipient. I am grateful for your generosity. I will be sure to continue those values instilled in me to do my best and give college my all even if it gets tough.

Best wishes in your academic journey, Terrance!

Our general scholarship application cycle opens in December. We take rolling applications for those going to vocational programs at either Manatee Technical, State College of Florida, or University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

If you’d like to support access to education for well-deserving students in our area, you can send a check to Manatee Community Foundation, 2820 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205, with MCF General Scholarship Fund in the memo line or call Alicia Chalmers at 941-747-7765 to discuss.