49 scholarships awarded in honor of the Pulse Nightclub victims

ORLANDO, Fla. — The onePulse Foundation announced Tuesday its fourth class of scholarship winners.

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The 49 winners of the Legacy Scholarship program included six students in the Orlando area.

The onePulse Foundation was established in 2016 in the wake of the tragedy that took the lives of 49 victims at the Orlando nightclub almost seven years ago.

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Since 2020, a total of $1,280,800 has been awarded through four classes of recipients.

The nonprofit said the recipients come from all over the United States and have a common thread of community service, leadership and advocacy.

The following recipients are from Orlando:

Savannah Brown
Rose Fyffe
Neah Montgomery
VAN
Katherine Patricio
Isabella Santos

There were also recipients from Maitland, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Winter Park, Kissimmee, Apopka, Sanford and Winter Haven.

Over $363,500 is being awarded this year, providing academic opportunities to recipients who embody, love, hope, unity, courage, strength and unconditional acceptance.

Each scholarship is up to $10,000 and may be used at an accredited institution of higher learning, including career and technical schools.

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onePULSE Foundation worked with the victims’ families to establish the scholarships based on the respective victims’ interests, careers or aspirations.

“As an extension of their impact on our world, the scholarships inspire and empower students who share similar dreams, ambitions and goals,” the foundation said.

Preference has been given to applicants who are immediate family members of the 49 victims as well as the survivors of the tragedy and first responders who responded to the scene.

Five family members, six survivors and 14 legacy scholars from the three previous classes were awarded scholarships.

“This scholarship means so much to me and for so many reasons,” said Kayla Finn, who plans on studying human resources management.

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The foundation received 235 completed applications.

The fourth class represents incoming freshmen majoring in accounting, business, communications, engineering, journalism, and psychology, as well as aerospace engineering, cosmetology, culinary arts, esthetics, nursing and master’s students.