onePULSE Foundation announces third class of recipients of the 49 Legacy Scholarship

ORLANDO, Fla. — The onePULSE Foundation announced its third class of recipients of the 49 Legacy Scholarship.

The 49 Legacy Scholarship established by the onePULSE Foundation, honors the 49 lives taken at Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016.

In 2019, working with the families and loved ones of those killed, onePULSE Foundation set up scholarships based on the victims’ interests and dreams, to help others who share those dreams make an impact on the world.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The first class of recipients was awarded $330,000 in scholarships in 2019 and the second class was awarded $236,300 last April.

The onePULSE Foundation awards 49 scholarships annually, each up to $10,000 for use at an accredited institution of higher learning, including career and technical schools.

This year’s class was awarded $328,000 in scholarships to be used during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Read: Meet the doctor in charge of caring for the athletes at the Special Olympics USA games in Orlando

Since 2020, a total of $897,300 has been awarded through three classes of recipients.

Applicants who are immediate family members of the 49 victims, as well as the survivors of the tragedy and first responders on the scene, were given preference during selection.

OnePulse Foundation, Foxtail Coffee shop unveil mural dedicated to Pulse shooting victims The OnePulse Foundation and Orlando’s Foxtail Coffee Shop unveiled a new mural Thursday dedicated to the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. (Charles Frazier, WFTV.com/WFTV)

“As a Latina queer trans person, I am humbly honored to carry the legacy of the 49 Angels as a recipient of the onePULSE Foundation Legacy Scholarship Award,” said Nicky Macias. “This scholarship will support me with completing my Masters in Linguistics at Gallaudet University, the premier university for ASL and English bilingual education in Washington, D.C. I am overwhelmed with emotion and deeply fortunate to join the onePULSE scholar community. This honor goes beyond making higher education accessible for me; it fuels me to work to my fullest potential in the representation of our community: past, present and future. I am deeply impassioned to continue my life’s work, every day, in tribute to these victims.”

Read: New land speed record set by autonomous Indy race car at Kennedy Space Center

OnePULSE said it considers many factors when assessing applicants, including the applicant’s personal story, financial need or independence, strong academic or self-improvement interest and proven track record of leadership, community involvement or work experience.

A scholarship committee made up of 14 community members scored three phases of the review process and made the final recipient selections.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 27

Community: Five Years After the Pulse Tragedy The exhibit “Community: Five Years After the Pulse Tragedy” is now open at the Orange County Regional History Center. (WFTV Staff)

“I am beyond grateful to be selected as a recipient for a onePULSE Foundation 49 Legacy Scholarship,” said Jaime G. Guzman, who plans to study architecture. “Coming from an unstable home, as well as facing numerous challenges in my life, I am here to tell everyone that the impossible is very much possible. When things get difficult, remember that nothing good comes easy.”

Read: Ulta Beauty apologizes for ‘insensitive’ customer email about Kate Spade

More than 200 completed applications were received, and the third class represented incoming freshmen majoring in business, communications, the performing arts, cosmetology and nursing as well as medical and master’s students.

The 49 recipients come from all over the United States and have a common thread of community service, leadership and advocacy.

Watch: Pulse 5-year remembrance ceremony Survivors, victims' families, first responders and officials gather at Pulse nightclub in Orlando to mark five years since the massacre. (WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group